2023 All-State Conference
University of Maine, Orono May 18–19, 2023
Metropolitan
Lyric
San
Santa
Spoleto
Caramoor
Department
Saturday, November 5
Saturday, November 5
Monday, January 16
Monday, January 16 Saturday, February 4
Saturday, February 4
Saturday, February 18
Saturday, February 18 Contact
or music.info@unh.edu for
or music.info@unh.edu
School of Performing Arts
Division of Music and Theatre/Dance
School of Performing Arts
Division of Music and Theatre/Dance
5788 Class of 1944 Hall Orono, Maine 04469-5788
5788 Class of 1944 Hall
Tel: 207-581-4700
Dear Music Educators, Music Students, Families, and Music Industry Members,
Orono, Maine 04469-5788
Fax: 207-581-4701
umaine.edu/spa
Tel: 207-581-4700
Fax: 207-581-4701
umaine.edu/spa
May 17, 2023
May 17, 2023
Dear Music Educators, Music Students, Families, and Music Industry Members,
On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students at the University of Maine, we welcome you to our state’s flagship institution of higher education for the 2023 MMEA All-State Conference and Festival Thank you for joining us on the beautiful University of Maine campus to reconnect, rejuvenate, and be inspired by the fantastic sessions that the Maine Music Educators Association has brought together for you. We look forward to this event each year and hope that you enjoy being a part of our community While you’re here, please enjoy our gorgeous campus and stunning performance spaces We’ll have lots of faculty, students, and staff around to help with anything you need. It’s a pleasure to have you here in Orono!
Sincerely,
On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students at the University of Maine, we welcome you to our state’s flagship institution of higher education for the 2023 MMEA All-State Conference and Festival. Thank you for joining us on the beautiful University of Maine campus to reconnect, rejuvenate, and be inspired by the fantastic sessions that the Maine Music Educators Association has brought together for you We look forward to this event each year and hope that you enjoy being a part of our community While you’re here, please enjoy our gorgeous campus and stunning performance spaces We’ll have lots of faculty, students, and staff around to help with anything you need. It’s a pleasure to have you here in Orono!
Sincerely,
Director, The University of Maine School of Performing Arts
Philip B. Edelman
Director, The University of Maine School of Performing Arts
MAINE’S LAND GRANT AND SEA GRANT UNIVERSITY
SHARE • INSPIRE
Exhibitors and Vendors
Anthem Musical Instruments
BandJoe Music
David French Music
Gordon College
Music and Arts
New England Music Camp
Osher School of Music, USM
Perkins Music House
School of Performing Arts, University of Maine
Second Wind Music
University of Maine at Augusta
University of New Hampshire
US Marine Corps
Concert & Rehearsal Information
REHEARSAL SPACES
Orchestra: 1944 Hall Room 100
Band: CCA Stage
SSAA: 1944 Hall Black Box
SATB: 1944 Hall Minsky Recital
CONCERTS
Instrumental Concert at 11:00am
Choral Concert at 3:00pm
Thursday May 18, 2023
Smith Hall Room 107
First Steps Tips & Extras
Patty Gordon GM
First Steps: Round Table Discussion
Patty Gordon GM
Conference Schedule
Williams Hall Room 110
Registration & Exhibits
Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
Mentoring Beginning Teachers Towards More Culturally Responsive Practices
Dr. Erin Zaffini DEIA
Roads Less Traveled: Mapping Out Non-Traditional Music Programming in the U.S.
Michael Remy GM
Williams Hall Room 120
Keep Them Singing: Working Through the Voice Change with Adolescent Singers - for Instrumentalists
Molly Webster B/C
Keep Them Singing: Working Through the Voice Change with Adolescent Singers - for Vocalists
Molly Webster C
Registration & Exhibits (Collins Center for the Arts Lobby)
ACDA Luncheon featuring Hampden Academy Chamber Singers (Memorial Union Bangor Room)
Let’s Get Moving Folk Dances for GM K-8
Dr. Erin Zaffini GM
Integrating Socio-Emotional Learning in General Music
Dr. Erin Zaffini GM
Level UP Engagement
Cassie Cooper GM
Applying a DEIA Lens to Common Music Education Practices
Reagan Nedder & Dr. Rebecca DeWan DEIA
Eyes on the Prize: Using music to reflect on community Ciara Hargrove & Dr. Christian Giddings A
Just Gender: Creating and Implementing Affirming Spaces at All Levels
Ær Queen & Nicholas Prosini DEIA
Building Inclusive Choral Classrooms Through Universal Design
Dr. Marshall Haning C
Choral Reading Session: Cypress Music Publishing Drew Albert & Colin Graebert C
Choral Fix-It: Diagnosing and Solving Common Choral Challenges
Dr. Marshall Haning C
Williams Hall Room 140
1944 hall Room 102
Registration & Exhibits Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
10:30–11:25
Rehearsal Techniques: A focus on feedback
Dr. Philip Edelman A
Other Locations
In the Collins Center: 9:45 - Performance by the 195th Maine Army Band
All-State Festival Welcome For Students & Directors
On the CCA Stage: 11:30-12:30 Concert Band Reading Session
Brandon Duras B
Registration & Exhibits (Collins Center for the Arts Lobby)
ACDA Luncheon featuring Hampden Academy Chamber Singers (Memorial Union Bangor Room)
Performance: Osher School of Music at USM Chamber Winds
Dr. William Kinne A
WE Only Program Good Music: A Reflection on Diversifying Repertoire
Brandon Duras DEIA, B
Band Director Contemporary Issues Roundtable
Dr. William Kinne B
Jazz Articulation: How to get your jazz ensembles swinging in good time!
Dr. Chris Oberholtzer J
The Viola d’Amore: Baroque Teaching and Performance
Dr. Anatole Wieck O
Memorial Union: Lown room
Playing with Ease: the Alexander Technique for Makers and Teachers of Music Judy Pagon O, A
Memorial Union: Bangor Room
Big Band Reading Session: Interpreting Afro-Latin & Brazilian Styles Michele Fernández J
Bangor Room One Stop Latin Shop Michele Fernández J
JAZZ MEETING (Memorial Union Bangor Room)
PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION / AWARDS CEREMONY (Wells Conference Center)
KEYNOTE ADDRESS “Building Bigger Tables” - Scott Sheehan, NAfME National President
Interest Session Descriptions
10:00–10:55
First Steps Tips and Extras
Patricia Gordan
Have you been using Feierabend’s First Steps in Music curriculum and looking for tips and extras? Have you been wondering how other educators use the program and work out problems and snags? Come to this combination of presentation and round table. The first session will be a presentation of material, the second a round table discussion of First Steps. Many brains are better than one!
Mentoring Beginning Teachers Towards More Culturally Responsive Practices
Dr. Erin Zaffini
Many early career music teachers are not trained in culturally responsive pedagogy within their teacher education programs. Similarly, their assigned mentors might also need development in this area as well. This interactive session, designed for music teacher mentors, will focus on how mentors can successfully help their mentees to become more culturally responsive in the classroom through addressing hidden curriculum commonly encountered in music education and music teacher education programs, as well as through providing beginning teachers what they specifically need during their various stages of teacher development. Participants will practice mentoring techniques through role play and will be be given specific tools to use to promote mentee reflection and development within their culturally responsive practices.
Keep Them Singing: Working Through the Voice Change with Adolescent Singersfor Instrumentalists
Molly J. Webster
This session is meant to provide the tools needed to traverse the precarious landscape that can be the adolescent voice change and what it means for you, your students, and your program. This section of the workshop is geared toward those whose first instrument is not voice and will work to establish a baseline of knowledge surrounding vocal anatomy, pedagogical practice and it’s effective implementation, healthful singing, etc.
So, what is actually happening to your students voice? How do we support these (mental, emotional, anatomical, physical) changes? How do we protect our students and their instruments ensuring a life-long love of singing? How do we create a supportive rehearsal/ classroom environment and assess these changes in a constructive and encouraging way? How do we assess the change and make sure we are instilling healthy habits and…what about appropriate programming? We’ll discuss all of this and more because above all, we have to keep them singing!
10:30–11:245
Rehearsal Techniques: A focus on feedback
Philip Edelman
In this session, we will discuss feedback strategies to help you make your rehearsals more efficient, on-task, and enjoyable. We’ll discuss a framework for feedback, effective and ineffective feedback, and reflect on our practices regarding our rehearsal feedback behaviors. The information we explore in this session applies to teachers of beginning music classes through collegiate music teachers.
11:00–10:55
First Steps Roundtable Discussion
Patricia Gordan
Roads Less Traveled: Mapping Out Non-Traditional Music Programming in the United States
Michael Remy
Non-traditional music classes have the potential to offer enriching, relevant experiences to all students in ways that traditional courses cannot. Previous research on such courses has largely focused on specific programming and regional availability. In this study, we examined non-traditional music programming in public high schools throughout the United States. This session will provide an overview of this research, the implications of these findings, and strategies for implementing more non-traditional programming in high schools across Maine.
Keep Them Singing: Working Through the Voice Change with Adolescent Singers - for Vocalists
Molly J. Webster
This session is meant to provide the tools needed to traverse the precarious landscape that can be the adolescent voice change and what it means for you, your students, and your program. This section of the workshop is geared toward those whose first instrument is voice and assumes a basic level of knowledge surrounding vocal anatomy, pedagogical practice and it’s effective implementation, healthful singing, etc., So, what is actually happening to your students voice? How do we support these (mental, emotional, anatomical, physical) changes? How do we protect our students and their instruments ensuring a life-long love of singing? How do we create a supportive rehearsal/ classroom environment and assess these changes in a constructive and encouraging way? What about appropriate programming and warm-ups? We’ll discuss all of this and more because above all, we have to keep them singing!
Band Reading Session
Brandon Duras
This band reading session is a continuation on last year’s reading session that highlighted composers of historically underrepresented backgrounds. Selections will cover a range of difficulties and composers so there is sure to be something for everyone!
1:15–2:15
Let’s get moving: Authentic folk dances for the K-8 general music classroom
Dr. Erin Zaffini
This interactive session is geared towards any K-8 general music teacher who is looking for authentic folk dances that they can teach their students. Participants will “learn by doing” as they learn dances from around the world that honor the cultures from which they come. Recommendations for how to adapt dances for students with various abilities, as well as how to implement world folk dancing while avoiding tokenism in the music classroom, will also be given. Come move with me!
Applying a DEIA Lens to Common Music Education Practices
Reagan
Nedder
In this session, UMaine undergraduates take a critical look at common practices in PK-12 music education. Situated in current research, the preservice teachers identify a variety of
Interest Session Descriptions
Thursday May 18th, 2023
practices—including the expectation that students practice at home, the performance of religious music, and the scheduling of secondary music courses—which they then analyze and problematize through a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. The undergraduate students provide ideas to address the deficits in music education in order to create opportunities for all PK-12 students.
Building Inclusive Choral Classrooms Through Universal Design
Marshall
Haning
Conversations about inclusion in the choral classroom can be challenging, especially when teachers feel that they are being asked to change longstanding traditions or practices. In this session, we will consider a different perspective for inclusion efforts through the lens of Universal Design. By applying the principle “necessary for some, good for all,” we will recognize how inclusive classroom approaches can provide benefits to ALL of our students— sometimes in unexpected ways!
Performance: Osher School of Music at USM Chamber Winds
Dr. William Kinne
Performing masterworks by classical and contemporary composers, The Osher School of Music Chamber Winds represents some of the finest instrumentalists at the University of Southern Maine. Program to be announced.
Jazz Articulation… How to get your jazz ensemble swinging in good time!
Dr. Chris Oberholtzer
Jazz Articulation… How to get your jazz ensemble swinging in good time! This clinic will focus on readily applicable ways to teach the nature of jazz articulation, ghosting notes, releases and balance within a contemporary big band setting. We will look at applying these concepts in a straightforward way so they may be used in any jazz ensemble (including combos), by any of your wind players.
Playing with Ease: the Alexander Technique for Makers and Teachers of Music
Judy Pagon
The Alexander Technique has a long history of helping instrumentalists and singers to perform with less stress, tension, and likelihood of injury. By helping musicians improve the quality of the complex physical movements involved in playing an instrument or singing, the Alexander Technique also helps improve the quality of the music itself. Musicians who study this Technique unlearn unhelpful habits, let go of misconceptions, and relearn to perform with fluidity and ease. These benefits spill over into their everyday lives, and the quality of their everyday activities, from exercising to working at the computer to teaching, improves. During this session, you will be led through some fun activities to experience the Alexander Technique for yourself. You’ll also be given some simple, efficient ways to incorporate what you learn into your class or rehearsal. Using these tools will help both you AND your students! You’ll learn how to use less effort to teach, rehearse and conduct, and your students will improve the quality of their music-making.
2:25–3:25
Integrating Social and Emotional Learning in the general music classroom through children’s literature
Dr. Erin Zaffini
In this hands-on workshop, participants will participate in musical activities within children’s literature that successfully foster the various skills and domains for SEL within our students. Learn how to address self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relation-
ship skills, and social awareness, combining listening, performing, and creating music. Teachers will engage in practical ideas that will meet the needs of the whole child in the music classroom.
Eyes on the Prize: Using music to reflect on community
Ciara Hargrove
Music draws people together around a common issue. Civil Rights music is highly effective and lends itself to be changed depending on the need of the event. In the wake of the BLM movements happening across the nation the presenters partnered to give students a chance to reflect on how they view their community and the changes that they would want to see.
Cypress Music Publishing: Reading Session
Drew Albert & Colin Graebert
WE Only Program Good Music: A Reflection on Diversifying Repertoire
Brandon Duras
“WE Only Program Good Music” is a follow up on last year’s session “I Only Program Good Music,” to reflect on our programming choices. This roundtable discussion will be an opportunity to discuss our successes and shortcomings, composers and resources we have found impactful, and more! Regardless of previous attendance at last year’s session, attendees will come away from this session with resources and a positive feeling that we are all on this journey of growth together.
Big Band Reading Session: Interpreting Afro-Latin and Brazilian Styles
Michele Fernandez
Michele will lead a Directors reading band session covering various genres of Afro, Latin and Brazilian styles in various grade levels. She will discuss key points of different genres as directors are able to listen to the compositions.
3:35–4:35
Level Up Engagement: Games for Building Skill and Buy-in
Cassie Cooper
This session will focus on building community, student engagement, and increasing skill acquisition all while playing exciting games. These games will reinforce beat, rhythm, and meter through movement as well as train student ears to better identify errors and encourage use of evidence to explain their reasoning. Games will be presented with cultural relevancy while increasing accessibility and engagement for diverse learners. While these games do not come from a particular method, they are influenced by Dalcroze and modern band methods. These games can be used with a variety of instruments and physical teaching spaces.
Just Gender: Creating and Implementing Affirming Spaces at All Levels
Ær Queen
A 2019 survey of 800,000 California secondary students found 70% of trans students reported being harassed at school, and only 37% of trans students reported feeling safe at school. As music teachers, we are specially positioned to provide affirming and inclusive spaces for our students at every level of education, and advocate for our students through policy changes at the school, district, and even state level. Transgender students exist at every level of education, and affirming transgender students has been proven to be a means of saving lives. Learn inclusive practices from current transgender music teachers and leaders.
Interest Session Descriptions
Band Director Contemporary Issues Roundtable
Dr. William Kinne
Band directors of all experience levels are invited to this sharing session. After a brief introduction, participants will be invited to vote on and attend one of several breakout sessions on the topic of their choice. Participants will be invited to suggest topics and vote on which breakout sessions will run. Sample topics may include: school scheduling solutions, communication/ marketing strategies, building a positive classroom culture, work-life balance/productivity, balancing instrumentation, recruiting and retaining students, novel approaches to assessment, and any other topics suggested by participants.
The Viola d’Amore: Baroque Teaching and Performance
Anatole Wieck
During the session I will discuss the issues that the violinist or violist encounters when he or she starts playing this instrument. I will also make recommendations on what methods to use when you just start learning the instrument.
Finally I’m planning to bring both instruments I own. One of them is a modern viola d’ amore built in 2003 and the other one is a beautiful 300 year old instrument that was just masterfully restored. I hope to make this session interactive where everybody participates in the presentation.
One Stop Latin Shop
Michele Fernandez
Michele provides an interactive and concise clinic detailing intricate differences between the various Latin and Afro-Latin styles. Audience members are invited to try some of the different patterns and will have sound examples as well as a visual presentation to differentiate between the different styles. The concepts learned can be applicable in any setting to achieve an authentic, infectious sound. This clinic will be present in conjunction with the directors reading band session
Choral Fix-It: Diagnosing and Solving Common Choral Challenges
Dr. Marshall Haning
All choirs sometimes encounter difficulties with various aspects of their technique, execution, and performance. Challenges like poor intonation, faulty breath support, sloppy diction, or a lack of “ring” in the sound can significantly detract from the quality of a performance. It is important for choir directors to be prepared with a wide range of strategies to address these issues, so that they can get their choir back on track quickly and easily! In this session, we will discuss a number of common choral challenges, learn how to correctly diagnose them, and provide a variety of strategies to help the choir overcome these challenges and move forward. Attendees will leave with a variety of strategies that they can immediately put into practice in their classrooms.
NFHS Outstanding Music Educator Rob Westerberg, York High School
Rob Westerberg is the choral director at York High School in York, Maine, where he has taught for nearly 25 years. Since beginning in education in 1988, his passion for music has helped students reach their full potential, and in 2004 played an integral part in getting a graduation requirement for music approved by the York school committee. York High School remains the only public high school in the Northeast to possess a graduation requirement for music.
Westerberg holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Keene State College and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Maine. As an educator, Westerberg has earned many awards, including the 2020 York County Teacher of the Year, the 2012 Maine Distinguished Choral Director, and the 2011 Carol Trimble Award for Exemplary Service to Arts Education.
In terms of leading students, Westerberg has overseen a variety of events and performances, such as the 2010 New Hampshire All State Treble Choir and the Maine Festival Chorus performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. His talents have also been used at choral camps like Laurel Music Camp as the high school choral director and at the Summer Youth Music Camp at the University of Maine from 2002 to 2016.
NFHS “Hearts of the Arts” Award
Luke Vazdauskas, Brunswick High School
In the spring of 2020, as the nation was being shut down due to the COVID-19 virus, Vazdauskas was diagnosed with lymphoma. Throughout this battle, however, he never lost his sense of optimism, maturity and determination. While enduring chemotherapy and going to countless medical appointments, Vazdauskas continued full participation in all ensembles offered at Brunswick High School. He could no longer play soccer due to his illness, so he became a multi-activity student, and fully immersed himself in music. Vazdauskas even played a remarkable role in upgrading recording and music equipment to improve the sound of his music through the Make-a-Wish Foundation, through which he also got to meet one of his favorite artists, Spose.
Friday May 19, 2023
Smith Hall Room 107
Conference Schedule
Williams Hall Room 110
Williams Hall Room 120
7:30–10am Registration (Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
Move! Activities to energize the K-5 music classroom
Andrea Wollstadt & Jenny Solari GM
Mentoring and Being Mentored: the Secret Sauce of Success
Tom Lizotte & Craig Ouellette A
ABC…not exactly as easy as 123; Alphabet Work for the Choral Ensemble Dr. Christian Giddings C
EXHIBITS & Coffee/Donuts Break | Meet Scott Sheehan, NAfME National President Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
A Storytelling Approach to Teaching General Music
Dr. Susan Calkins GM
A Storytelling Approach/ Part II
Dr. Susan Calkins GM
Adding Some STEAM
Sarah Cousins GM, T
Engage your students with interdisciplinary and project-based learning
Erik Wade & Jaime Beal A
Providing Equal Education Opportunities for LGBTQ+ Students in the Music Classroom
Jeremy Milton DEIA
EXHIBITS (Collins Center Lobby)
Round Table: Providing Equal Education for LGBTQ+ Students in the Music Classroom
Jeremy Milton DEIA
Breaking Down the Classical All-State Vocal Audition for Non-voice Specialists Bronwyn Kortge C
Vocal Health: Not Just for the Singer! Kirstie Wheeler C
GENERAL MUSIC LUNCHEON - Catherine Newall, speaker (Memorial Union Bangor room) ALL-MEMBER MEETING (Donald P. Corbett Hall Room 100)
Strategies for Implementing those Great Ideas: Best Practices In Elementary
General Music
Becky Bean GM
Programs, Flyers & Posters! An Intro to Canva Design
Tracy Williamson & Nicole Karod T
Rounds & Simple Songs
Dr. Rebecca Dewan & Kaitlin McCullough C
Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Choral Classroom Dr. Rebecca Dewan C
UMaine/USM Reception (Black Bear Inn, Acadia Room) EVENING CONCERT - Maine Street R & B Revue - Field House
Donald Corbett hall Room 100
Donald Corbett hall Room 107
1944 hall Room 102
7:30–10am Registration (Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
From Zero to Groovin’: Practical tips for teaching a young jazz ensemble
Michele Fernández J
Chords Chords Chords! How to Hear and Play that Chord Progression on Your Bowed Instruments
Lauren Rioux O
The Top-Ten Percussion Issues for Music Educators (everthing but snare)
Dr. Stuart Marrs B, J, O
EXHIBITS & Coffee/Donuts Break | Meet Scott Sheehan, NAfME National President Collins Center for the Arts Lobby
Actualizing the Plan: Advocacy is Everywhere
Scott Sheehan
NAfME National President A
24 Ways to Improve Every Rehearsal Through Inspired Teaching
Dr. Peter Boonshaft B,O,C
Scales + Chords = Solo! How to “Make it All Up” and Practice Creativity Through Choices
Lauren Rioux O
Applied Percussion Techniques - snare drum
Chris Marro B, M
Warm-up and Ensemble Development Exercises that Work!
Dr. Peter Boonshaft B, O
EXHIBITS (Collins Center Lobby)
GENERAL MUSIC LUNCHEON - Catherine Newall, speaker (Memorial Union Bangor room) ALL-MEMBER MEETING (Donald P. Corbett Hall Room 100)
The Emotionally In-Tune Director
Michele Fernández A
Repertoire for Beginning and Middle School Band
Caitlin Ramsey & Missy Shabo B String Orchestra Reading Session Ben Richmond O
UMaine/USM Reception (Black Bear Inn, Acadia Room)
EVENING CONCERT - Maine Street R & B Revue - Field House
Interest Session Descriptions
8:00–9:00
Move! Activities to energize the K-5 music classroom
Andrea Wollstadt & Jenny Solari
Friday May 19th, 2023
Teachers will learn a variety of practical activities that utilize movement to support the development of beat awareness, notation reading, and creativity in the music classroom. Participants will be invited to partake in music and movement activities so they can leave with new ideas to energize their classroom preK–5.
Mentoring and being mentored: the secret sauce of success
Tom Lizotte & Craig Ouellette
Everyone has a mentor and can be one, but you have to work at it. How many of us have questions about our profession and are reluctant to ask? Have you ever had this, “I’m alone in this and I’m drowning” feeling? We all have experienced this. Sometimes having a mentor means the difference between survival and failure. This session will describe mentoring relations each of the panelists have had, how to find mentors and how to nurture those relationships. To mentor and be mentored are perhaps the richest parts of our profession. This often leads to lifelong learning and friendships. Today, make us part of that journey for you.
ABC…not exactly as easy as 123; Alphabet Work for the Choral Ensemble
Christian Giddings
Choral directors often hyper focus on vowels to achieve beautiful tone, but did you know that 60% of sounds in English are consonants? Often singers make poor sounds before they ever get to the vowel, making a beautiful tone difficult to achieve. By understanding the pitfalls inherent in consonants, and having a clear, efficient way of teaching their formation, directors can immediately improve ensemble blend and tone. This session will provide consonant pitfalls, teaching techniques, and a consonant chart for directors with solutions to help amateur, community, church, high school, and collegiate level choral ensembles achieve a better ensemble blend.
From Zero to Groovin’: Practical tips for teaching a young jazz ensemble
Michele Fernandez
Michele Fernández shares simple techniques and resources to help directors successfully start a jazz ensemble from scratch in minimal time, or take an existing young ensemble to the next level. Techniques discussed involve horn section technique as well as detailed rhythm section tips relevant to all styles. Beginning improv suggestions are also discussed.
Chords Chords Chords! How to Hear and Play that Chord Progression on Your Bowed Instruments
Lauren Rioux
Teaching students how chords function and how they can creatively move between voicings of the chords lays the groundwork for good listeners, gentle improvising, and ensemble arranging. No need for prior experience in jamming- if you’ve played a scale and an arpeggio, you’ve got the skills for this session. Please bring your instruments, I’ll bring the encouragement!
The Top-Ten Percussion Issues for Music Educators
Stuart Marrs
After 38 years of teaching percussion at UMaine, I will share with you the ten most common concert percussion problems I encounter with my first-year students. We will cover issues on snare drum, accessories, timpani, and keyboard percussion. I guarantee that addressing these issues with your students will have an immediate beneficial impact on your band or orchestra.
9:50–10:50
A Storytelling Approach to Teaching General Music
Dr. Susan Calkins
Composer, author, and music education specialist, Dr. Susan Calkins, presents an interactive session focused on storytelling as a mode of teaching. The session will include strategies for promoting student engagement, collaboration and positive social interactions. She will also elaborate on the ways in which storytelling has influenced her approach to teaching, composing and writing for children. Topics and activities covered in this session include:
• Storytelling as a segue into lesson content
• Fostering student engagement and creative musical expression through storytelling
• Establishing memory paths by weaving musical concepts into stories
• Creating original music lessons and activities from literature, folk tales and poems
• Storytelling to promote social/emotional learning, inclusivity and conflict resolution
• Virtual teaching: creating lessons from stories to engage all types of learners
Engage your students with interdisciplinary and project-based learning
Erik Wade & Jaime Beal
Do you find student engagement in your general music class a struggle? Are you looking for a way to create an authentic learning experience with your ensemble? Interdisciplinary and Project Based Learning could be the answer. Jaime and I will introduce the idea of Interdisciplinary and Project Based Learning, then transition to ideas on how to use these concepts in your classroom, and finish with some time to explore ideas with the group, by yourself, or with Jaime and myself.
Breaking Down the Classical All-State Vocal Audition for Non-voice Specialists
Bronwyn Kortge
Do you want more insight into how to prepare the classical all-state vocal audition? We’ll break down the audition components: the aria, the madrigal and the scale, and look briefly at the MMEA website tools available to help prepare. We’ll introduce fundamental vocal technique as we dig deeper into the aria and the madrigal, exploring basic Italian pronunciation and essential stylistic demands of the aria. We’ll share techniques to teach these concepts, as we learn the song. We will explore the madrigal’s pronunciation, phrasing and stylistic demands.
Actualizing the Plan: Advocacy is Everywhere
Scott Sheehan
NAfME President, Scott R. Sheehan, will share the vision of how NAfME’s new strategic plan will promote advocacy and equity into all we do! Information will be shared about advancing music education at the local, state, and national levels and how you can be the advocate you need to be for your students and music program!
Scales + Chords = Solo! How to “Make it All Up” and Practice Creativity Through Choices
Lauren Rioux
This class will show you that if you understand the chord progression, and you know the key and how to play a scale, you can create a really great solo. Will it be the most sparkly, amazing, mind blowing solo of all time? Nope. But that’s not the goal. The goal is that you begin to improvise while sounding really good, and you gain confidence in your ability to make a choice on the spot. Your students will LOVE this approach to practicing their scales because they get to surprise everyone with their choices and YOU will love that they are practicing their scales. Bring your instrument and flex all your years of scale practice!
Applied Percussion Techniques
Chris Marro
With close to 20 years of experience teaching percussionists of all ages, Chris is excited to have
Interest Session Descriptions
the opportunity to work with Maine band directors at this year’s All-State Conference. Chris plans to help band directors develop their percussion skills and provide ideas and exercises to use with percussion students. Chris will be discussing how to properly hold the drumstick, develop a proper fulcrum, and how to effectively execute rebound strokes. He plans to teach how to properly implement these techniques while playing snare drum, timpani and mallet percussion. Chris will also be sharing a number of exercises that will help you and your students develop these techniques during sectional time as well as how to integrate them into your daily band warm ups. Please be sure to bring a pair of drumsticks and drum pad to this clinic so you can drum along with him!
11:00–12:00
PART
II: A Storytelling Approach to Teaching General Music
Dr. Susan Calkins
This session is a continuation of part I with the opportunity for participants to further examine how to apply the presented information into the classroom.
Providing Equal Education Opportunities for LGBTQ+ Students in the Music Classroom
Jeremy Milton
LGBTQ+ students are disadvantaged and marginalized in the current public school system through stigmatization and erasure in policies, curriculum, and materials. The first session will explore the current climate of music education in regard to the struggles of LGBTQ+ students. Following this presentation will be a facilitated round-table discussion for practical implementations and strategies for the music classroom.
Vocal Health: Not Just for the Singer!
Kirstie Wheeler
Vocal health in education is an extremely important issue that is often overlooked in educator preparation and continued education. Singers often think about vocal health and concern themselves with the best ways to promote and maintain a healthy voice. This is important for all (choral conductors, singers, educators) to recognize that it can be a make it or break it aspect of your career. Vocal health is required for long-term success in the choral world. Explore the ways that you can experience a healthy voice and increase your healthy classroom!
24 Ways to Improve Every Rehearsal Through Inspired Teaching!
Peter Boonshaft
This session offers 24 ways you can immediately improve every rehearsal or class using simple techniques and strategies to improve the quality of your ensemble, make any rehearsal more productive and energize the power of your teaching. Useful for conductors of any level and type of ensemble.
1:10–2:10
Adding some STEAM to your General Music Classes!
Sarah Cousins
At this session we will discuss uses for DAW’s (specifically Soundtrap), Makey Makey’s, Scratch for coding and other ways technology and music can be integrated to enhance your general music class as well as student understanding and connections to music and other disciplines.
Round Table: Providing Equal Education Opportunities for LGBTQ+ Students in the Music Classroom
Jeremy Milton
This session is a continuation of the 11:00 session with the opportunity for participants to further examine how to apply the presented information into the classroom.
Rounds & Simple Songs
Kaitlin McCullough
In this interactive session, we explore the multiple uses of rounds and simple songs within a choral program. Rounds can be used to teach vocal/choral technique, build community, and support aural skills and sight reading. Rounds can also be used in performances for transitions and audience participation. We will read several rounds and simple songs together during this session and brainstorm the utility of the songs for a variety of age groups from elementary to collegiate ensembles.
Warm-up and Ensemble Development Exercises that Work!
Peter Boonshaft
This session offers specific exercises you can use to develop ensemble performance. These focused warm-ups isolate and target improvement in the areas of balance, blend, intonation, rhythm, rhythmic subdivision, listening, articulation, dynamics and virtually every aspect of large ensemble playing. For band and orchestra conductors and teachers of any level.
3:45–4:45
Strategies For Implementing Those Great Ideas: Best Practices In Elementary General Music
Rebecca Bean
The internet has given us an infinite number of innovative general music ideas. However, implementing those “cool” lessons, in a meaningful way for students, is a different challenge. This session is about strategies for boosting student engagement, questioning techniques, meaningful assessment, planning short and long term, classroom management, troubleshooting and advocacy. Participants will problem solve together. This session is for teachers with any level of experience wanting to solve, or help others resolve nagging issues. We’ll examine where lessons can break down, and ways we can avoid difficulties and increase student musicianship in elementary school.
Programs, Flyers & Posters! An Intro to Canva Design
Tracy Williamson & Nicole Karod
Designing programs and promotional materials for your music events is a huge component of community outreach and music program recognition. Plus it can be really fun for both teachers and students! In this session we will learn about some ways to use Canva, Adobe Express and more to make eye-catching print and digital materials to promote your music program.
Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Choral Classroom
Rebecca DeWan
In this session, I summarize my research that explored how a teacher and high school students experienced difficult conversations in the choral classroom. By leaning into the differences in how teacher and students experienced the same conversations, I discuss implications for music teachers and preservice teachers’ approaches to classroom discussions. Additionally, I present ideas for secondary choral teachers to engage in action research around discussing difficult
Interest Session Descriptions
Friday May 19th, 2023
topics with their students in ways that match the needs of the particular community, students, and rehearsal process.
The Emotionally In-Tune Director
Michele Fernandez
Michele shares insights, humorous, poignant anecdotes and techniques developed over 30 years of successful teaching in Miami that helped her create a uniquely tight-knit, loving culture within her programs. Michele also discuss how directors can safeguard their own mental, emotional and physical health while giving their “all” to their programs and students. She shares ways to help keep the job “fresh” and rewarding while avoiding burnout and building personal relationships.
Recommended Rep for Beginning & MS Band
Caitlin Ramsey & Missy Shabo
Looking for new repertoire ideas for your beginners and middle schoolers? This session will focus on a list of recommended pieces, ranging from Grade .5 - Grade 3. We will listen to a variety of pieces, which will include classic rep, underrepresented composers, and new compositions. We’ll talk about what makes each of these pieces a great educational and musical experience for students. Our hope is that you’ll walk away with some exciting programming ideas to hit the ground running in the fall.
String Orchestra Reading Session
Ben Richmond
Let’s explore repertoire for school string orchestras! Bring your instrument and a few of your favorite pieces (please bring score and full set of parts), and we will read through literature choices for student groups. A list of pieces read will be shared with all participants. Ben Richmond from John Bapst HS will be conducting the reading session orchestra.
ConferenCe Meetings
Jazz Meeting
Thursday May 18th at 4:45pm, Memorial Union Bangor Room
President’s Reception / Awards Ceremony
Thursday May 18th at 6pm, Wells Conference Center
General Music Luncheon
Friday May 19th, Memorial Union Bangor Room
All-Member Meeting
Friday May 19th at 2:20pm, Corbett Hall Room 100
UMaine/USM Reception
Friday May 19th, 7–9pm, Black bear Inn, Acadia Room
ConferenCe Presenters
Drew Albert
Drew Albert graduated from the University of Maine with a BME in 2010, where he sang under the direction of Dr. Dennis Cox and served as the Assistant Conductor of the University Singers and the Music Director of the Maine Steiners.
Since graduation, Drew has taught vocal and instrumental music at Maranacook Community High School in Readfield and vocal music at Noble High School in North Berwick. Currently, Drew teaches at Camden Hills Regional High School, where he directs three choirs, teaches guitar and piano courses, and is the music director for the fall musical.
Drew stays busy outside his teaching schedule as an active guest conductor for honors festivals, a singer and assistant director for Una Voce Chamber Choir in Brunswick, and a board member for the Maine Music Educators Association. However, his lovely and wickedly precocious 2-year-old Eloise Mae keeps him busiest. Drew is lucky enough to share his life with his wife, Ashley Albert, who is also a music educator at Brunswick High School.
Rebecca Bean
Becky Bean is in her 23rd year of teaching music. She currently teaches general music kindergarten through grade four in Cape Elizabeth. She has also taught pre-K through middle school, chorus, beginning band, guitar, world drumming, steel drums and piano class.
In addition to honing her craft, over the years she has done extensive international travel with an aim to include authentic multicultural components into her curriculum. She is currently completing her masters degree in educational leadership at the University of Southern Maine.
Peter Boonshaft
Called one of the most exciting and exhilarating voices in music education today, Peter Loel Boonshaft has been invited to speak or conduct in every state in the nation and around the world. Honored by the National Association for Music Education and Music For All as the first recipient of the “George M. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education,” Dr. Boonshaft has recently been named Director of Education for Jupiter Band Instruments.
Dr. Susan Calkins
Susan Calkins has enjoyed a multi-faceted career as a composer, author, flutist and music educator. She holds a Doctor of Music in Education degree from Boston University along with degrees in Jazz Studies and Composition from Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory. Dr. Calkins has worked as a performer and music educator in the United States, Europe, South America and China. Informed by her extensive experience in K-12 general music classrooms, she has found great inspiration in creating music and literature for children that is purposefully
designed to foster understanding of musical concepts, reading and musical performance. She has published audiobooks, songs, Orff arrangements and picture books along with teacher resources for the general music classroom.
Cassie Cooper
Cassie Cooper, M.M.E, is a graduate of Southeastern University (‘16) and Florida State University (‘21). Originally a teacher in Florida, she now teaches general music and choir at Gerald E. Talbot Community School in Portland. Cassie has experience coordinating honor Orff ensembles, assistant directing marching bands, teaching SEL drumming circles, and guest lecturing at Southeastern University. She enjoys using a blended method of teaching pulling from MusicWill’s modern band method, Holyoake’s Drumbeat (SEL drumming program), and Orff methods. Since moving to Maine in 2020, Cassie has been awarded multiple grants and serves as MMEA’s state Secretary.
Sarah Cousins
Sarah Cousins has worked at the Glenburn School for 20 years. She began as a 5–8 Band and Chorus teacher in the District and now is the K–8 General Music, Band and Chorus teacher. She is a certified Music Will (formally Little Kids Rock) teacher and has currently been taking classes to expand her understanding on incorporating STEAM into the Music Classroom. She lives in Brewer with her husband Bob and two kids Virginia and Patrick. She graduated from the
University of Maine in ‘03 with a Bachelors in Music Education.
Rebecca DeWan
Rebecca DeWan is the Libra Assistant Professor of Choral/General Music Education at the University of Maine where she teaches undergraduate music education courses and conducts Collegiate Chorale. Rebecca’s 13 years in the K–12 classroom inform her research on trauma-informed, equity-centered teaching and learning. She recently earned a Ph.D. in Music Education from Michigan State University. She is committed to building community through music.
Brandon Duras
Brandon Duras is currently the Director of Instrumental Music in Brunswick, Maine where he conducts the two jazz bands, Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, and teaches piano and music theory. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he received his Bachelor of Music Education in 2017 and Master of Arts in Wind Conducting in 2019. In his short career, he is already a decorated conductor with several national and international recognitions. In 2022, he was named MMEA’s Outstanding New Music Educator. Duras was one of forty educators to be featured in Yamaha’s “40 Under 40” Class of 2023.
Philip Edelman
Philip Edelman is the director of the School of Performing Arts, an associate professor of music education, and an ensemble director at the University of Maine. He has
served as a researcher, educator, and conductor at the University of Maine since the fall of 2016. His teaching responsibilities include courses in music education, instrumental pedagogy, research methodology, and conducting. He earned his degrees at The University of Missouri —Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance (Ph.D.), Kansas State University (MM), and the University of New Hampshire (BME).
Michele Fernandez
Michele Fernández is an active guest clinician/conductor, adjudicator, instrumental music composer and performer. Her compositions have been premiered at Midwest, IAJE and Regional Honor/All-State venues. Her original works for jazz ensemble are published through Hal Leonard, Excelcia, JW Pepper, Print Music
Source and “Jazz Zone” series (text authored by J. Richard Dunscomb).
Michele frequently serves as a guest clinician/conductor for Regional and All-State groups and honors Jazz/Symphonic groups. She has appeared as a Midwest Clinic lecturer on rehearsal techniques (’07 & ’16), JEN ‘22 (two separate clinic topics) FMEA Conference lecturer, clinician for Clark College Annual Festival (WA), and frequent clinician for FSU summer camps.
Michele serves on the Education Committee for JEN (Jazz Education Network), is a sponsored clinician for Hal Leonard Publishing, HAPCO Foundation and in the past has also served as (freelance) guest clinician/ conductor/guest lecturer for various universities, including UNCo, UNT, UM Frost, UF and others. She is also
a co-founder of “Your Jazz Education Connection” consulting, along with J. Richard Dunscomb, providing both in-person and virtual guidance for educators and their students on various topics.
Christian Giddings
Christian Giddings is a conductor, composer, and music educator from Unity, Maine. He holds a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona, and both an M.M. and B.M. in Music Education from the University of Maine. Additionally, he is a Co-founder of Choir Unlimited—a choral music publisher specializing in publishing digital copies of choral music. Currently, Christian is the music director of the Tri-City Community Chorus in Biddeford, Maine, and Choral Director at Noble High School in North Berwick, Maine.
Patricia Gordan
Patricia Gordan teaches PK–4th grade general music and 3rd/4th grade chorus in RSU 14, at Raymond Elementary School and Windham Primary School. She has taught in the Raymond Schools for 41 years. She has used Dr. Feierabend’s First Steps and Conversational Solfege curriculums for more than twenty years and earned Conversational Solfege certification in 2019.
Marshall Haning
Marshall Haning is Associate Professor and Area Head of Music Education at the University of Florida, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral music education, research methods, and
other related topics. He is a frequent presenter at state, national, and international music education conferences. Dr. Haning is also in demand as a choral clinician and adjudicator, and has served in this capacity across the United States as well as in Africa, Australia, and Europe.
Ciara Hargrove
Ciara Hargrove has been teaching music for the last 18 years in Maine. She currently is the choir director in Waterville Public Schools where she leads three general ensembles and a select choir with a focus on jazz music.
Dr. William Kinne
William Kinne serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Southern Maine, where he conducts the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Portland Youth Wind Ensemble. Dr. Kinne also teaches undergraduate courses on conducting and music education and leads the graduate program in wind conducting.
Before his appointment at USM, Dr. Kinne was the Associate Director of Bands at Northern Arizona University, where he directed concert and athletic bands and taught conducting.
Dr. Kinne’s career as a music educator spans a decade of teaching middle and high school instrumental music. Ensembles under his direction have earned praise for cross-disciplinary performances and have earned superior ratings at state festivals.
Bronwyn Kortge
Bronwyn Kortge holds a bachelor
of music in vocal performance and conducting. Since 1999 she has directed the vocal ensembles at Mount Desert Island High School, including mixed concert chorus, honors chorus, an award-winning show choir and a thriving voice class. For the past twenty-two years she has been the director of the Bagaduce Chorale in Blue Hill. She enjoys contributing to music education in Maine as a vocal coach and as an audition and performance adjudicator and clinician.
Tom Lizotte & Craig Ouellette Craig and Tom have been in a mentor relationship since Craig was in Tom’s band at Biddeford. Craig is director of bands at Camden Regional High School in Camden. He has been in Camden for seven years, five years of which he spent as director of the middle school. He is a graduate of University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine, Orono. Tom recently retired after 32 years as a high school band director, chiefly in Maine. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and is a published author on educational subjects as well as an in-demand adjudicator and clinician in jazz ensemble and marching band.
Chris Marro
Chris Marro is the co-founder and co-owner of Midcoast School of Music in Portland, Maine. He is currently the percussion instructor for Cape Elizabeth High School and Westbrook High School. Chris also teaches General Music for grades 4 and 5 at Saint Brigid School in Portland and maintains a sizable roster of private
students. Chris plays in and manages an in-demand nine piece band (Retrospecticus) and works with other artists and bands as a sought-after drummer. Chris has worked with thousands of students, becoming one of the most in-demand percussion instructors in Southern Maine. Chris’ teaching philosophy centers around connecting with students in a way that makes music fun and enjoyable with a strong emphasis on the importance of fundamentals for all students whether they aspire to play professionally or for personal enjoyment and recreation.
Stuart Marrs
As soloist, clinician, orchestral timpanist-percussionist, conductor, and teacher, Dr. Marrs’ professional experience spans over 50 years and four continents. His principal orchestral positions include the orchestras of Louisville, Bolivia, and Costa Rica. Stuart Marrs has an extensive international profile having taught and performed in Singapore, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, El Salvador, Bolivia, and Costa Rica. Dr. Marrs taught at the National University of Costa Rica, Indiana University, and the University of Maine from 1985-2023.
Dr. Stuart Marrs is a Yamaha Performing Artist. He also endorses Sabian, Vic Firth, and Grover ProPercussion.
Kaitlin McCullough
Kaitlin McCullough is a senior music education major from Ellsworth, ME. Sabrina Fisher is a fourth year
music education major from Gray, ME. Rebecca DeWan is the Libra Assistant Professor of Choral/General Music Education at the University of Maine where she teaches undergraduate music education courses and conducts Collegiate Chorale.
Jeremy Milton
Jeremy D. Milton is a Candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Music Education at Boston University and holds the Master of Music in Choral Conducting, as well as the Bachelor of Music in Music Education degrees from the University of Maine where he studied under Dr. Dennis Cox. Currently, Mr. Milton serves as the Director of Choral Music for Old Saybrook High School in Old Saybrook, CT where he conducts two non-auditioned high school choral ensembles, the auditioned Chamber Singers, Basso Chorus and Treble Choir, and teaches UConn Music Theory. Recently, Mr. Milton joined the teaching staff at the Longy School of Music of Bard College where he facilitates courses in Advanced High School Choral Pedagogy.
Mr. Milton is a frequent guest conductor and clinician having conducted festival ensembles throughout New England and presented Music Education clinics for the University of Maine, University of Southern Maine, University of Connecticut, Maine Music Educators Association, Connecticut Music Educators Association and the Connecticut Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (CT-ACDA). Mr. Milton is a former Choral Director at Laurel Music Camp in Winsted CT, and
still enjoys spending one week each summer as Chorus and Music Theatre Director for the Maine Summer Youth Music Camp at the University of Maine. He is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education.
Reagan Nedder
Reagan Nedder is a Music Education major at UMaine. Rebecca DeWan is the Libra Assistant Professor of Choral/General Music Education at UMaine where she teaches undergraduate music education courses and conducts Collegiate Chorale.
Dr. Chris Oberholtzer
As the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern Maine, Dr. Christopher Oberholtzer leads a program that is recognized as being one of the leading college jazz programs in New England. Having actively served as a performer and as a clinician at numerous all-state and honors festivals throughout the country and abroad, Chris is wellversed in the nuances of a swinging jazz ensemble and looks forward to sharing his teaching concepts in ways that will be immediately useful in your ensemble.
Judy Pagon
Judy Pagon was first introduced to the Alexander Technique while she was an undergraduate at the Eastman School of Music, studying viola. She began to experience stiffness and pain in her shoulder and arm that got progressively worse, and made it difficult to practice and rehearse. Her viola professor
recognized that these problems came from the excess tension and effort she was using to play, and suggested she take some Alexander Technique lessons. Judy followed his advice, found a teacher, and began studying. Within a few months, she was playing pain-free, with freedom and ease. She was fascinated by this powerful work, continued studying, and trained to be an Alexander Technique teacher at the Philadelphia School for the Alexander Technique, run by Bruce Fertman and Martha Hansen Fertman.
Judy has taught this method for over 35 years to people from ages 8 to 88, from individual lessons to large groups, community centers to colleges, and classrooms to rehearsal halls.
Most of this work was done in the PA/NJ area, where she lived and worked prior to her move to Maine in 2019. During her time in NJ, Judy also received her music education certification and an MA in conducting, taught middle and high school orchestra, and conducted several youth orchestras.
Judy currently teaches Alexander Technique for the Pinelands Suzuki School, Merrymeeting Adult Education, Central Lincoln County Adult Education, and has led sessions for the DaPonte Quartet’s chamber music workshops. Judy also has a private studio and teaches both individuals and groups, both in-person and online.
Ær Queen & nIcholas Prosini
Ær (they/them) is a trans non-binary General Music teacher in Annandale, Virginia. They earned their
Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Shenandoah Conservatory and have been teaching in elementary schools in Northern Virginia for eight years.
In their classroom, they want their students to know they are loved, cared for, and included from the moment they enter the classroom. Ær actively works on being intersectional and anti-racist in their teaching practice, and was recognized as a Quarterfinalist for the 2022 and 2023 Music Educator Grammy Awards. They presented at the National NAfME conference in 2022, and many other states’ music education association conferences.
Nicholas Prosini (they/them) is a transgender nonbinary 15th year music teacher at Amber Charter School in NYC. Mx. Prosini teaches K–5 general music and choir, and has previously taught beginning band. They hold a Bachelor of Music from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, a Masters of Arts in Music Education from Montclair State University, and a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Hunter College, CUNY.
Mx. Prosini is an advocate of trans and gender expansive visibility in K–12 schools for both children and adults. They also organize online support spaces for trans educators around the United States.
Caitlin Ramsey
Caitlin Ramsey has been the Director of Bands at Cape Elizabeth Middle School since 2010. For the past nineteen years, she has been an active adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout the
state of Maine and currently serves as the Eastern Division Representative on the National Council of Band Education. In 2020, Ms. Ramsey was named the Maine Music Educators Association’s Music Educator of the Year. Additionally, under Ms. Ramsey’s direction, CEMS bands have performed at the Maine Music Educators Association Conference. Ms. Ramsey holds undergraduate degrees in horn performance and music education from Miami University as well as a Masters of Music from Kent State University. She serves as the MMEA District I Secretary and as the coordinator of the D1 7/8 Honors Festival and the DI 6th Grade Honors Festival. She lives in Portland with her husband Tim, the band director at Scarborough High School.
Michael Remy
Michael Remy is a high school music teacher at Mount Desert Island High School in Bar Harbor, Maine, where he teaches band, orchestra, big band, jazz combo, rock band, music technology, AP music theory, guitar, and music explorations. This is his 10th year teaching in Maine and 15th year teaching overall.
Ben Richmond
Ben David Richmond is a conductor, composer and audio engineer in Maine. He is the Instrumental Music Teacher at John Bapst Memorial High School, Music Director of the Maine Youth Orchestra, Wind Ensemble Director of the Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestras, and cover conductor for the Portland Symphony Orchestra. As a com-
poser, Richmond has written five symphonies, four ballets, three string quartets, and scores of other works ranging from solo to large ensemble. With audio, Richmond has gigged with Grammy award winning popular and classical music acts and his sound design credits span genres in festival films, musicals, ballets, and plays.
Lauren Rioux
A proud graduate of USM’s Osher School of Music, Lauren Rioux is enthusiastically sought out for her teaching expertise and leads workshops across the globe. Her online string resource site, JamWithLauren. com provides students the world over with access to her innovative curriculum, inspiring and motivating blog, but most importantly- her inimitable teaching style. Lauren helps musicians (mostly string players) unlock their inner voice and achieve their potential. Lauren believes that everyone has the ability to create a sound they love, experience the joy that their sound produces, and express what they’re unable to articulate with words.
Missy Shabo
Missy Shabo has worked as a middle school band director for the past 14 years and joined the Cape Elizabeth Middle School as the Co-Director of Bands in 2022. Prior to coming to Cape Elizabeth, Ms. Shabo was the director of bands at Scarborough Middle School. Ms. Shabo, a saxophonist, holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education and a Masters in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine.
Additionally, in 2022, she earned her Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from USM. Since 2015, Ms. Shabo has been the camp director of the Southern Maine Junior Music Academy, Youth Band Day Camp, and Choral Music Academy at USM. Additionally, she currently serves as the Maine Music Education Association District I Chair and the band manager for the MMEA D1 7/8 Honors Festival.
Scott Sheehan
A nationally recognized advocate and leader for the advancement of music education, Scott Sheehan is the Director of Bands and Music Department Chairperson at the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in Hollidaysburg, PA where he directs the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band and teaches AP Music Theory, Fundamentals of Guitar, and Rock, Rap, and Revolution! Hollidaysburg has been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States by the NAMM Foundation for the past eight years under Scott’s leadership. In addition to his duties at Hollidaysburg, Mr. Sheehan was a finalist for the 2019 GRAMMY Music Educator Award and is an Educational Clinician for Conn-Selmer. He is also a consultant for strategic planning and association development.
As the President of the NAfME Eastern Division from 2015–2017, Mr. Sheehan served on the National Executive Band and Executive Committee. He is currently the Program Chair for the NAfME All-National Honors Ensembles. As an active member of the PMEA, Scott has
served as State President, as well as a District President and Curriculum and Instruction State Representative. He coordinates the PMEA Leadership Academy, serves on the PMEA Mentoring Program Steering Committee, is chair of the PMEA Model Curriculum Framework project.
Mr. Sheehan is a member of Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters Fraternity, and served as a liaison to the NAfME National Band Council. He was recognized at the state level as a Pennsylvania Keystone Technology Integrator by the Department of Education, was named Teacher of the Year in 2013 by the Hollidaysburg Area School District, and received the Outstanding Music Educator Award from Penn State University’s College of Arts and Architecture in 2016. He is an active guest conductor and clinician throughout the country and performs trumpet with the Hollidaysburg Community Band and with the Altoona Brass Collective. Scott holds a B.S. Degree in Music Education and a B.M. Degree in Music Marketing from Clarion University, and holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University. Scott and his wife Amy are the proud parents of their daughter Ellie.
Molly J. Webster
Molly J. Webster originally from Patten, Maine, is an alumna of The University of Maine with dual undergraduate degrees in Vocal Music Education and Vocal Performance. She additionally holds an MMus in Choral Conducting attained under the mentorship of Dr. Dennis Cox.
Molly is the artistic director of The Bangor Area Youth Choirs, a 3-choir program for central-Maine youth ages 8-18, is the founder and artistic director of Divisi, an auditioned, contemporary a cappella choir, and has been the artistic director of The New Renaissance Singers since 2011. In addition to maintaining a private voice studio, she serves as music director at The Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor, is the founder and director of Husson University Singers and teaches several vocal pedagogy courses for music education majors at The University of Maine, Orono.
Kirstie Wheeler
Kirstie Wheeler, M.Ed, is an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA and an educational consultant in New England. She worked to develop elementary and secondary curricula for choral and general music in several districts. Her work now is focused on wellness for the holistic musician. As a performer, she sings with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, chorus to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops. Kirstie is a certified McClosky Voice Technician, using her knowledge of vocal physiology and pedagogy to prepare students for a lifetime of healthy singing.
Anatole Wieck
Born in Latvia, Anatole Wieck received his first musical education in Riga and Moscow. In the United States since 1973, he studied violin and viola at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he completed his Doctorate in Musical
Arts working closely with Ivan Galamian, Lillian Fuchs, and Paul Doktor. He also studied baroque interpretation with Carol Lieberman at Boston University. He plays baroque viola, viola d’amore and baroque violin. Since 1986 Dr. Wieck has taught upper strings at the University of Maine and conducted the University of Maine Orchestra. He has performed and conducted in Europe, North and South America, and has participated in chamber music festivals such as Chamber Music/West (San Francisco), White Nights (St. Petersburg, Russia) and festivals in Montepulciano, Italy and Newport, Rhode Island. He was a Fulbright Senior Specialist in 2006 in Guatemala.
Tracy Williamson & Nicole Karod
Tracy Williamson and Nicole Karod are two of the MLTI 2.0 ambassadors working to help ensure equal opportunity for teacher and student educational technology support across the state. Tracy comes from Gorham Middle School where she has taught General Music, Chorus and Steel Band since 2003. Nicole has taught Science at Mt. Ararat Middle School and served as the remote teacher as well. She holds a Masters in Elementary Education from Gardner Webb University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Literacy from the University of New England. Tracy has a Masters degree in flute performance from Boston Conservatory and is just two classes away from a Bachelors degree in Media Arts & Graphic Design from SNHU Online.
Nicole and Tracy will be working with the MLTI program through the 2023-2024 school year.
Andrea Wollstadt & Jenny Solari
Andrea Wollstadt and Jenny Solari have been teaching elementary music for a combined total of 35 years. Both women currently teach at the three elementary schools in Biddeford. Andrea holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education and Jenny holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Literacy. While each of them bring diverse experiences to the table (Andrea has taught elementary band, and Jenny is certified in Music Together) these two women have worked synergistically to create a unified K-5 music experience for all Biddeford students.
Dr. Erin Zaffini
Dr. Erin Zaffini is the Director of Teacher Education for the online and in-person Master of Music in Music Education programs at Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA. In addition to her experiences teaching preK-8 general, choral and instrumental music, Dr. Zaffini is a national consultant and clinician for access, equity, inclusion, and diversity in music and music teacher education. She is also the project leader for NAfME’s National Music Mentor Training Initiative, and is a certified career coach for arts educators. She has published articles in General Music Today, Music Educators Journal, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education and Qualitative Research in Music Education.
MMEA 2023–2024 Dates
Jazz All State Auditions
University of Maine at Augusta - Oct 13, 2023
BOC All State Auditions 2023
Northern/Central site Site @ Skowhegan HS - Oct. 27 & 28, 2023
Southern Site @ Greely HS - Nov. 3 & 4, 2023
Jazz All State Festival
Camden Hills Regional HS- January 11-13, 2024
State High School Instrumental Jazz Festival
Host pending - March 15 & 16, 2024
State Middle School Instrumental Jazz Festival
(This date may still be combined with the High School festival)
Host pending-March 23, 2024
State Vocal Jazz Festival
Host pending - April 6, 2024
All State Festival
University of Maine - May 16,17 & 18, 2024
MMEA Board Members
Executive Committee
President Andy Forster president@mainemea.org
President-Elect Matt Waite presidentelect@mainemea.org
Past-President Sandy Barry pastpresident@mainemea.org
Executive Director Beth LaBrie execdirector@mainemea.org
Board Officers
Secretary Cassie Cooper
Treasurer Sarah Bailey
G. Music K-5 VP Caitlin Geishaker
G. Music 6-12 VP Dr. Christian Giddings
Orchestra VP Linda Vaillancourt
Band VP Sarah Dow
Choral VP Drew Albert
Jazz VP George Redman
District Chairs
D1 Chair Missy Shabo
D2 Chair Erika Batalla Gates
D3 Chair Brandon Duras
D4 Chair Kris Vigue
D5 Chair Danielle Collins
D6 Chair OPEN
D7 Chair Pam Kinsey
Specialty Interest Chairs
DEIA Nathaniel Menifield
Music Teacher Education Dr. Philip Edelman
Tri-M Honors Society Maylinda Boynton
Advocacy Heidi Corliss
Retired Teachers Nora Krainis
MMEA Historian Sam Moore-Young
Teacher Mentor Erin Morrison
Collegiate Advisory Council Dr. Rebecca DeWan
Publication Staff
Webmaster Adam Metzler
Editor Hanna Flewelling
Social Media Hanna Flewelling
Conference & Festival Chairs
Conference Bill Buzza
Conference Registrar Jon Simonoff
Jazz Conference Assistant Mike Sakash
BOC All-State Festival Kristen Thomas
Jazz All-State Festival Rebecca Reed
All-State Auditions Brian Hutchinson
Instrumental Jazz Jason Priest
Vocal Jazz OPEN
Solo & Ensemble OPEN
State Festival Managers
BOC All-State SSAA Chorus Colin Graebert and Julia Edwards
BOC All-State SATB Chorus Ashley Albert
BOC All-State Orchestra John Lawson
BOC All-State Band Kyle Smith
Jazz All-State Honors Jazz Kyle Smith
Jazz All-State Jazz Band Craig Ouellette
Jazz All-State Combo Jason Priest
Jazz All-State SSAA Chorus Wendy Northrup
Jazz All-State SATB Chorus Ciara Hargroves
Wenham, Massachusetts
GORDON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
www.gordon.edu/music gordondepartmentofmusic gordonmusic gordon.music
B.A. in Music
DEGREE PROGRAMS
B.M. in Music Education
B.M. in Performance
Minor in Music
MUSIC AT GORDON
Significant scholarships available!
MUSIC AT GORDON
Engage in musical opportunities to serve, lead, teach and perform. Join a community of Christ-followers to develop your musical gift for global impact.
www.gordon.edu/music gordondepartmentofmusic gordonmusic gordon.music for Fall 2024. field. innovative of
Significant scholarships available!
Be nurtured by faculty at the top of their field. Be inspired and trained through an innovative curriculum and hands-on experience.
Be nurtured by faculty at the top of their field. Be inspired and trained through an innovative curriculum and hands-on experience.
Starting in August we accept applications for Fall 2024.
Engage in musical opportunities to serve, lead, teach and perform. Join a community of Christ-followers to develop your musical gift for global impact.
Be inspired and trained through an innovative curriculum and hands-on experience.
MUSIC AT GORDON
» Music in Worship concentration
» Composition concentration
Significant scholarships available!
Minor in Musical Theater
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Be nurtured by faculty at the top of their field.
B.M. in Music Education
B.M. in Performance
B.A. in Music
» Music in Worship concentration
Minor in Music
Master of Music in Music Education gordon.music
Engage in musical opportunities to serve, lead, teach and perform. Join a community of Christ-followers to develop your musical gift for global impact.
GORDON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
Wenham, Massachusetts
GORDON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
Wenham, Massachusetts
Minor in Musical Theater Master of Music in Music Education
Minor in Music
Starting in August we accept applications for Fall 2024.
B.A. in Music
» Composition concentration
» Music in Worship concentration
Starting in August we accept applications for Fall 2024.
» Composition concentration
Minor in Musical Theater
Minor in Music
www.gordon.edu/music gordondepartmentofmusic gordonmusic gordon.music
B.M. in Performance
B.M. in Music Education
Master of Music in Music Education
Minor in Musical Theater
Master of Music in Music Education
DEGREE PROGRAMS
MMEA Past Presidents
Elbridge Pitcher 1916-1917
A.V. Sprague 1920
Gertrude Thorne 1921
Lilla Atherton 1922
Elbridge Pitcher 1923-1925
Eve Towne 1926
Dorothy Marden 1927-1929
Mary Stuart 1931-1932
Ethel Wardwell 1933
Fredrick A. Westcott 1934
Gertrude Smith 1935
H.A. Hurd 1936
Leland Whipple 1937-1939
Lilla Atherton 1939-1940
Mary Smart 1941-1942
Madeline Perazzi 1944-1947
Angela Tsika 1948-1949
Ary Dulfer 1950-1951
Ellen F. Blodgett 1952-1953
Elizabeth Canavan 1954-1955
Katherine Ela 1956-1957
Anna Crouse 1958-1960
Nina Bailey 1960-1961
Richard Barbeur 1962
Nina Bailey 1963
Edward Murphy 1964-1966
Paul Phelan 1966-1968
S. Merrill Shea 1968-1970
Aime Simoneau 1970-1972
Frank Stevens 1972-1974
Robert S. Modr 1974-1976
Lawrence Woodward 1976-1978
Curvin “Chip” Farnham 1978-1980
Ceila Jones 1980-1982
Joseph Henry 1982-1984
Charlotte Neuberger 1984-1986
Bob Bahr 1986-1988
Bruce Lewia 1988-1990
Nancy Cash-Cobb 1990-1992
Betty W. Atterbury 1992-1994
Terry Eldridge 1994-1996
Arnold Poland 1996-1998
Faith Varney 1998-2000
Terry Eldridge 2000
Faith Varney 2000-2002
Joan Hamann 2002-2004
Ed Judd 2004-2006
Rob Westerberg 2006-2008
Silvia Moore-Young 2008-2010
Dr. Michele Kaschub 2010-2012
Nancy Penna Curran, 2012-2014
Pamela Kinsey 2014-2016
Susan Barre 2016-2018
Benjamin Potvin 2018–2020
Sandra Barry 2020–2022
