Victoria Boler is a leading elementary general music educator and curriculum designer. In addition to general music, Victoria has taught orchestra, choir, and percussion ensembles, and served as Fine Arts Coordinator, leading the arts at a programmatic level. She holds a Masters in Music Education from the University of Florida and has completed three levels of Orff certification, as well as Kodaly level one. She publishes general music curriculum and instructional materials at victoriaboler.com, where she serves and collaborates with educators in their journeys to create grounded and artistic music curriculum for their unique teaching scenarios. Victoria is a lesson author for Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements Music Class.

Meghan Cabral is currently the District Director of Music for the Carmel Central School district. Previously, Meghan spent 15 years teaching elementary and middle school bands. Meghan stays active as an author for Music Education Publications including NAfME’s Teaching Music, Instrumentalist Magazine, Music Educator’s Journal, The Instrumentalist, School Band and Orchestra Magazine (SBO), as well as on many blogs such as NAfME’s online blog, Band Director’s Talk Shop, as well as Smart Music’s online blog. In addition to her article contributions, Meghan was a 2017 Grammy Music Educator Semifinalist.

Naarah Callender is a middle school general music and choir teacher living in Guangzhou, China, where she teaches music 7th and 8th grade English language learners. Her experiences teaching general music for 5 years have brought a renewed passion for thinking outside the box with teaching and encouraging others to do the same. Naarah has been teaching abroad for 6 years, living with her pets, and traveling.

Pat Cooper is a social entrepreneur, educator, musician, researcher, and author from Mesa, AZ. He has reviewed for Psychological Science, Psychology of Music, International Journal of Music Education, and Journal of Popular Music Education. His latest book, from Broadcast to Podcast, can be found at F-flat books!

Kevin has received an undergraduate degree for music education from Duquesne University and his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration with a concentration on Curriculum and Instructional Design from Gwynedd Mercy University. He has been teaching for the past ten years in several public and private schools in the Bucks County, Pennsylvania area. Through those years, he has had experience teaching elementary through high school, and a variety of musical disciplines including general music, strings, and band instruction. For six years, he has been an employee of the Pennridge School District and is currently the Director of Bands at the high school, where he has served for the past five years.

Heather chairs the Music Department and conducts instrumental ensembles at Friends Select School in Center City, Philadelphia, where for 15 years in the classroom she has welcomed all players of all instruments at all levels into her groups. Her background is in performance, and she maintains an active career as a freelance flutist. She arranges symphonies, pop classics, Latin grooves, jazz standards, and modern mind-benders, and is passionate about learning many kinds of music with students. Heather blends a multi-genre sensibility with craft, attention to detail, and fun, so that each rehearsal is timely and timeless, plus a lot of gray areas in between.

Kelsey Gamza is an elementary music teacher in Arlington, Virginia. She is a Research Fellow with the Institute for Composer Diversity, where she strives to assist teachers with finding diverse, meaningful repertoire. In her teaching, Kelsey strives to create a relevant, culturally responsive environment where all students engage in deep musical thinking.
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Wanda Vásquez Garcia is a general music educator, choir director/singer, and clinician. A native of the Dominican Republic currently living in Colorado,  she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, first University in the American Continent, and a Master’s Degree in Music Education with an emphasis on choral music from the University of Northern Colorado. Currently, she is the general music teacher at the Escuela Bilingüe Pioneer in Lafayette, Colorado, and the children and youth choir director at First Congregational Church of Greeley, Colorado. As a K-5 music educator, she believes music is a very effective way to learn about cultures. She is passionate about the importance of increasing diversity and representation in music education, in ways that are culturally responsive,  fun, meaningful, and inclusive in order to embrace each other with respect, tolerance and a sense of belonging.

Steve has been teaching K – 6 music for 13 years. He is a regular columnist in the Canadian Music Educator Journal where he writes on topics including popular music education and creativity, is author of the award-winning book, Rock Coach: A Practical Guide for Teaching Rock Bands in Schools, and Creative Musicking: Practical, Real-Life Ideas to Get Your Learners Creating Their Own Music. His website and blog, StevesMusicRoom.com, is a comprehensive resource for music educators of any experience level. Watch for his upcoming book from Oxford University Press on creative music technology.

Jessica Grant has been a music educator for 20 years, including 14 years in the elementary music classroom and 6 years in the middle school general classroom. She is the creator and host of the Afternoon Ti Podcast, which focuses on teacher education and health topics. In addition, she is the author of the book The Afternoon Ti Guide to Teaching Music. Jessica lives in Dallas, TX, with her husband Jeremy, daughters Riley and Julia, and their little Maltipoo Val.

Marissa is currently the orchestra director at Pennridge High School in Perkasie, PA. She holds degrees from Penn State University (BME) and The Eastman School of Music (MA) in Music Education. She is currently the Vice President of the Bucks County Music Educators Association. In addition to her public school teaching, she is also a violinist in various orchestras in the Lehigh Valley and runs a private violin and viola studio out of her home in Bethlehem, PA. She is the co-host of Musicast, the official podcast of F-flat Books. Marissa will be pursuing a Ph.D. in music education in the fall of 2021.

Bob Habersat is a high school guitar, music tech, and theory teacher and co-founder of shedthemusic.com. He has presented clinics on music technology, guitar, and jazz at conferences and festivals across the country, and he has written articles for NAfME, Noteflight, JEN, and Soundtrap. Bob is the author of the Modern Musicianship Guitar Method and the Production Through Performance music technology curriculum. When he is not teaching, Bob loves going on adventures with his wife Kristin and their children Lee and Brooke.

Elise Hackl (she/her) is an accessible music teacher near Chicago, working with neurodiverse individuals of all ages. Elise is a lifelong learner- with research centered on training and preparation for accessible classrooms. Elise’s contributions can be found around the country, including articles, presentations, and, most recently, a chapter for the GIA book Portraits of Music Education and Social Emotional Learning (edited by Scott Edgar, 2021). In addition, Elise is a member of the Music for All ‘Music SEL Support Team and currently serves as a judge and producer for the International Championships of High School and Collegiate a Cappella.

Zachary Himelhoch is a music educator, performer, producer, author, and clinician based in Chicago. In all of his work, Zachary aims to build community and connect people through music. He currently works as a world music consultant for Quaver Music and is an adjunct faculty member in the MECA program at VanderCook College of Music. Previously Zachary created and directed The DrumHeadz, a multi-school world percussion program in Nashville Public Schools. As a performer, Zachary has worked with a wide range of artists, including; Chance the Rapper, Andy Narell, Etienne Charles, The Cool Kids, The O’My’s, Daru Jones, and more.

Nate Holder is a musician, author, and consultant based in London, UK., and is currently serving as a professor at the Royal Northern College of Music. He is the founder of The Why Books, a His first book is called, ‘I Wish I Didn’t Quit: Music Lessons’, and, as the founder of The Why Books, has written two more entitled, ‘Why Is My Piano Black and White’ and ‘Where Are All The Black Female Composers’.

Grammy-nominated music educator Steve Holley served as the Producer for the Commercial Music Program at the Kent Denver School outside Denver, CO, for 19 years. During his tenure, the R&B, soul, salsa, and jazz bands in the CMP were recognized by DownBeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards fifteen times. Steve is a sought-after bassist and clinician with performances, master classes, and presentations given at several state, national, and international conferences. His work has been featured in InTune Monthly, Teaching Music, multiple blogs and newsletters for NAfME and JEN, and several state MEA journals. He is also the author of Coaching a Popular Music Ensemble–Blending formal, non-formal, and informal approaches in the rehearsal, the definitive guide for developing and coaching popular music ensembles. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Music Education at Arizona State University.

Theresa Hoover is a music educator, speaker, and writer. She is an advocate for student voice in the music room. She works to empower students throughout their musical experiences and help teachers transform their classrooms to become student-centered learning environments. Theresa is a Google for Education Certified Trainer, Google Certified Innovator, and Noteflight Learn Ambassador, frequently working with teachers to help integrate technology into their music classes. She is a recognized presenter and clinician for local, regional, and national conferences and is the co-author of the book Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students. You can find Theresa’s work online at www.musicaltheresa.com

Czarina Jimenez is a Filipina elementary music educator on unceeded Tongva, Serrano, Cahuilla and Kizh land in Southern California. She is passionate about creating culturally responsive music lessons and incorporating anti-bias/anti-racist social-emotional learning into her curriculum. She is on a growth-journey to become an abolitionist educator. You can connect with Czarina on Instagram @littleupbeatclass.

Hannah Knauss is the choral director and music teacher at Interboro High School. She received a B.M. in Music Education from West Chester University and a M.Ed in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Cabrini University. At Interboro, she teaches piano, theory, and choral classes. She also directs the theater program. Hannah was selected as the recipient of the 2017 PMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator Award. She is currently President-Elect of PMEA District 12. Outside of teaching, Hannah has conducted and performed with community choirs in the Philadelphia area.

Danielle Larrick holds a Master of Music in Music Education from The University of the Arts. For over a decade, Danielle has served as a musician-educator in both urban and suburban settings. She currently teaches in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she directs 7th and 8th-grade choirs and teaches general music. She believes in the value of middle school music as a means of identity, expression, and connection. She focuses on designing practical, innovative, and engaging music curricula for middle school students.

Dr. Marci Major serves as Chair and Associate Professor of Music Education at West Chester University, PA, and directs the Bel Canto ensemble with the Kennett Symphony Children’s Chorus. As an active researcher, Dr. Major’s primary research interests encompass the economics of music education in today’s public schools, and choral music in the middle levels. Dr. Major is the founder and Director of Music Service Learning, a non-profit that pairs college music students with needs in the music education community. 

Darlene Machacon is an elementary general music teacher, chorus director, and private piano instructor in Orange County, California. She holds two bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Piano Performance from Biola University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree from VanderCook College of Music. In addition to teaching, Darlene is an active presenter and author whose work focuses on challenging the status quo of music education. In her free time, she enjoys trying new cuisine and discovering new boba and coffee shops with her husband. Her work can be found on www.darlenemachacon.com and Instagram/TikTok @thedarlingmusicteacher.

Lauren is a Music Educator and Music Therapist residing in Bucks County, PA. She holds a certification in Special Education and is passionate about fusing her therapeutic techniques with teaching.

Michelle McCauley is a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in Nevada. She holds a master’s degree in music education, a bachelors degree in general studies, and has worked in a Cultural Diversity center at the University of Nevada, Reno. Currently, Michelle is a powwow dancer/performer, Music educator, composer, designer, Zumba Instructor, actress, author, conductor who is passionate in every one of these areas. Getting to be and know cultures from around the world is what she is constantly and consistently doing.

Leo Park is a 20-year music educator veteran in the Chicago Public Schools at Northside Prep High School, teaching multiple levels of orchestra and a modern band enrichment course. He has served on faculty at Northeastern Illinois University, North Park University, and VanderCook College of Music – teaching String Methods and Secondary General Music Methods. Additionally, Leo is an Arts Instruction Specialist for the Chicago Public Schools, District 1 Orchestra Representative for the Illinois Music Education Association, a clinician for Eastman Strings, and committee member of the American String Teachers Association Eclectic Styles committee. He is the recipient of the 2018 Illinois Asian Pacific American Commitment in Education Award and 2016 Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award.

Jessica Peresta graduated with her Bachelors of Music Education in 2004 and earned the top music educator award. She built a music program from scratch in Tulsa, OK, earning the Teacher of the Year and Teacher of Today awards during her second year of teaching. Jessica has used her expertise to found The Domestic Musician, LLC, where she mentors and supports elementary music teachers through her HARMONY membership site, The Elementary Music Teacher podcast, and her book “Make A Note: What You Really Need To Know About Teaching Elementary Music.” She is currently pursuing her Masters in Educational Technology from The University of Arkansas. In her personal life, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 sons.

Courtney Powers is the Music Director at South Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally from a small rural town- Leon, Kansas she began playing French horn in middle school with director Lynn Harrington- KMEA Hall of Fame Director. She came to Berklee by way of Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City outside of Wichita under Gary Gackstatter. She graduated from Berklee in 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and from Villanova in 2015 with a Master of Arts in Education. In her 14 years of teaching, she has had a wide-ranging experience in urban schools that have taken her from Massachusetts to Texas and Pennsylvania working in public/charter/alternative schools and actively playing in community bands and orchestras. Courtney is a VH1-Save the Music JDilla grant facilitator ($50,000), 2020 Grammy Music Educator Semi-Finalist and 2021 Quarter-Finalist, 2020 Vans Give A Band Grant ($10,000), 2019 Give A Note Grant Semi-Finalist and 2020 Give A Note Grant ($5,000). Her professional activities include a social media presence #musiccitizenship, IG @ms.powers_musicedu, and active membership in NAfME, PMEA, Little Kids Rock, APME and affiliations with consolation, Roland, Artist Year, Project 440, and other community partners

Presenter and author Jen Rafferty began her career as a music teacher in Central New York. Jen brings her energy, humor, and expertise to all professional development workshops and is known for her practical ideas and passion in her presentations. She currently serves as the Co-chair of the New York State School Music Association’s (NYSSMA) Secondary Classroom Committee and a member of the advocacy committee. In 2020 she founded Sing Together, an international virtual singing community of singers of all ages and abilities. Her most recent publication is A Place in the Staff: Finding Your Way as a Music Teacher, available at J.W. Pepper.

Kat Reinhert is an accomplished songwriter, vocalist, musician, author, and educator. As a solo artist, Kat has released five independent albums and sung on multiple projects for noted artists. She is a sought-after clinician, speaker, and researcher. Ms. Reinhert holds a BM in Jazz/Commercial Voice, an MM in Jazz Pedagogy, and a Ph.D. in Music Education, specializing in Popular Music Performance and Pedagogy. Kat has authored several book chapters and journal articles on contemporary voice and songwriting and is also the co-founder of Songwriting for Music Educators™, dedicated to helping music educators learn the craft of songwriting.

Donna Rhodenizer is a Canadian composer. She writes songs that are a well-loved repertoire for young singers in vocal studios, elementary classrooms, and choirs worldwide. She honed her songwriting skills in her 35+ year career as an elementary music education specialist in the public school system. Donna’s great sense of humor and unique way of looking at the world are reflected in her lyrics, ranging from quirky to heartfelt. She knows how to reach into children’s imaginations and create music, helping them explore their world and giving them a voice to express themselves.

Michelle Rose is pursuing her PhD in music education at UNCG. She is also the director of curriculum development at Pitch Publications. Prior to that, she taught middle and high school music online. She also directed the extracurricular virtual instrumental and vocal ensembles. Michelle is an active teacher-author who creates resources for music teachers and writes for her blog, The Musical Rose. In addition to teaching and writing, Michelle is a sought after clinician, presenter, and panelist frequently presenting for numerous conferences and districts. She is the author of the best-selling book from F-Flat Books, Teaching Music Online: A Comprehensive Guide for K-12 Music Educators. In her free time, Michelle enjoys baking, sewing, and thrifting. Connect with Michelle: Website: https://themusicalrose.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_musical_rose/

Gonzalo Silva is a well-traveled and versatile DJ, Producer, and Teaching Artist. Hailing from Union City, NJ, he is a member of the renowned Jersey Club/Dance Music label and DJ crew Brick Bandits. His genre-bending style draws inspiration from his deep Latin heritage and an urban upbringing that involved various cultures. Armed with a huge library, immense musical knowledge, and a keen sense of his audience, his turntable and mixing skills have been showcased through mainstream outlets like MTV and Mad Decent along with popular blogs like Do Androids Dance and Generation Bass. For almost ten years, Gonzalo has worked with aspiring DJs and music producers on the craft, going over the basics and working with students to develop their skills and confidence across all platforms and approaches.

Christopher Singleton Sr. is an Early Childhood Educator! He loves to watch shows with his wife, Toni. He also loves to spend time making music with his toddler son CJ. Joshua also gets lots of tummy time with dad! He is excited to be presenting and looks forward to receiving valuable insight as well! Chris is the author of Chris and Frankie: Our Ebony and Ivory Keys, available on F-flat Books. 

Gareth Dylan Smith is a British drummer residing in Pennsylvania. He has written for drummers’ magazines in the US and UK and taught drum students aged six to sixty. He cut his teeth in London, in punk bands, theatre shows, rock bands of all stripes, and with singer-songwriters and poets. He has recorded numerous albums and EPs of original music, from alt-rock stylings with Stephen Wheel, though garage rock mayhem with the Eruptörs, to electro-jazz-rock fusion with Build a Fort. Gareth is Assistant Professor of Music, Music Education at Boston University and the author of numerous books and articles.

Whether it’s cartooning, linguistics, natural history, and pop culture, Joseph Sowa embraces diverse influences to create music of detailed textures and vivid colors that speaks to mind, body, and heart. His music has been performed by students, professionals, and amateurs alike, including groups such as Collage New Music, Ensemble Dal Niente, the Genesis Chamber Singers, the Ludovico Ensemble, the PRISM Quartet, and middle and high schools across North America. He has received awards from ASCAP, the American Prize, and the Barlow Endowment and holds a Ph.D. in Music Composition and Theory from Brandeis University.

Matthew Stensrud is an award-winning Elementary Music and Movement Teacher and currently teaches PK-4 music and movement at Sidwell Friends Lower School in Washington, DC. Matthew is an Orff Schulwerk Certified Teacher and teaches Movement Levels at Orff courses across the country. He is also on The Orff Echo Editorial Board and was a key content contributor to the book Responsive Classroom for Music, Art, PE and Other Special Areas. Matthew is also well-known on social media as @MisterSOrff and offers newsletters through his website www.mistersorff.com and mentoring, lesson plans, and more on his Patreon page, www.patreon.com/mistersorff.

Benjamin Dean Taylor is a composer of contemporary concert music. His energetic, adventurous music provides a uniquely refreshing sonic experience for performers and audiences alike. Trained as a trumpet player and pianist, he performs with and writes music for a variety of chamber ensembles, jazz combos and big bands, wind bands, orchestras, and choirs. As a sought-after composer for wind band,Taylor has been commissioned by over 100 band directors of players at all educational levels.  He received his doctorate degree from Indiana University and currently resides in Bloomington, Indiana with his wife and six children.

Dr. Edward Varner has been an educator, musician, actor, and arts education specialist and advocate for more than 31 years. He earned the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in School Leadership from Concordia University Chicago. He completed the Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of British Columbia and holds a BA in Music from CSU, Los Angeles. Ed provided seven years of arts leadership as the supervisor of music and art education for the Great Falls Public Schools in Great Falls, MT, and is currently the Director of Visual and Performing Arts at the Milton Hershy School in Hershey, PA. 

Amy Walworth is the elementary music specialist for Macon County Public schools, in Lafayette TN. She is the only music instructor for over 1000 K-5 students and teaches at 5 different schools during the year. She travels to every class using a cart and is the author of the new book Teaching Music on a Cart which includes strategies, encouragement, and lesson plans for music cart teachers.