2026 Highlights

Keynote Speaker: Milton Allen

Dr. Milt Allen is an internationally recognized conductor, clinician, author, and music education advocate known for his innovative and grassroots approach to teaching. With a career spanning hundreds of schools and organizations, he has impacted thousands of students, educators, and community members.

A former public school and university educator, Dr. Allen is the founder of The Music Guerrilla, a nonprofit supporting underserved music programs in places like Rwanda, Zambia, Haiti, Compton (CA), and across the U.S. His wide-ranging experience—from teaching beginners in a boiler room to conducting university premieres—fuels his ability to connect with musicians in every setting.

Dr. Allen has presented across the U.S. and internationally, including in Scotland and Africa. His writing has appeared in major newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Chicago Tribune, and he is the author of Music, Artistry, and Education: A Journey Towards Musical Growth and Enlightenment.

His honors include recognition by the U.S. Congress for Musical Excellence, multiple teaching awards, and selection as a Conducting Fellow for the Eastman Wind Ensemble’s 40th Anniversary. In 2008, he became the first civilian to tour as a featured conductor with the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, and he recently served as guest clinician for the U.S. Army School of Music’s Conductor Training Program.

Dr. Allen currently serves as an educational artist for Jupiter Instruments and clinician for Hal Leonard and Meredith Music Publications.

Making Music in an Age of Anxiety: We Need “US” Now More Than Ever - Music Education

Stress, depression, anxiety, and fear have pushed so many of us to the brink of collapse, resignation or career change. So much coming at us – and our students. Still, we’re supposed to teach, to make music. But in all the discussion and programs and plans, what happened to those who stand in front of the students? US? And does music even matter? Let’s take time to understand, reflect on, and redefine ourselves and our mission – all of which have never been more important!

 

Pre-Conference:

 Lorelei Batisla-ong (BM, Southwest Texas State University; MM Instrumental Conducting, Texas State University; Ph.D. Music and Human Learning, The University of Texas at Austin) is Assistant Professor of General Music Education at Peck School of the Arts, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. For 14 years she taught elementary music in San Antonio and Austin public schools, as well as university courses at UT Austin, University of the Incarnate Word, and Anderson University. Prior to teaching at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Lorelei taught at Baldwin Wallace University near Cleveland, Ohio.

They served on the American Orff-Schulwerk Association Board of Trustees, was the State Director of the National Association for Music Education – Texas and currently serves as an officer for the Music Education Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association. She is Lead Editor of Decolonizing the Music Room and co-author of Elemental ʻUkulele: Pathways and Possibilities. Lorelei’s teaching and learning interests include ʻukulele pedagogy, teacher noticing and cognition, teaching skills development, equity in the classroom and teaching profession, and generally wondering why everything is the way it is and how it can be better. She is perpetually considering getting a dog.

"More Than Chords: "Adding 'Ukulele Fingerpicking to the I, IV, V"

The goal of this pre-conference session is to demystify teaching ʻukulele fingerpicking in a general music classroom. Through multiple activities, participants will experience fingerpicking first as performers and then examine a pedagogical approach for beginning players focused on concepts, technique, and strategies for teaching technique. After the “what” will look at the “how” and the “why.”

Throughout the session we will revisit chordal playing to identify ways to integrate both fingerpicking and chordal playing offering multiple modes of performance for students. We will examine fingerpicking as differentiation and within ideas of universal design. And we will discuss the practical management and organization considerations multiple modes of performance may require of us as teachers and facilitators who are interested in creating opportunities for student success.

Participants will leave with practical ideas and strategies that may help introduce a new way to play and teach the ʻukulele. 

Come one, come all! Basic playing experience is welcome, but not necessary. Both experienced ʻukulele teachers and teachers looking to start ʻukulele are welcomed. Please consider bringing your ʻukulele and/or a recorder. We will utilize all the instruments of the elementary music classroom.

Ruth Dwyer - Info Coming Soon!

For more information visit the Pre-Conference page HERE.