Speaking
Music education is changing, and I speak about how we can lead that change. My work focuses on expanding access, embracing creativity, and designing programs that reflect how people actually engage with music. Through hands-on workshops and keynotes, I help educators create experiences where more students can participate and see themselves as musicians.
Available for keynotes, workshops, and consulting
Topics include:
Modern Band & Popular Music Education
Expanding Access in Music Education
Inclusive & Adaptive Music Practices
Creativity, Songwriting, and Student Voice
Music Technology & Contemporary Classrooms
Rethinking Traditional Music Programs
2026
Expanding Access Through Popular Music: Reaching Students Beyond Traditional Ensembles. Presentation at the 2026 NAfME Symposium on Students with Disabilities and/or Students who live in Poverty, virtual event. October 11, 2026
Music for Every Body: Adaptive Instruments, Apps, and Inclusive Band Strategies. Invited guest clinician at Perpich Center for Arts Education, Minneapolis, TN, August 4, 2026.
Popular Music Education and Modern Band in American Schools. Invited guest speaker at Austin Prey State University, Clarksville, TN, February 27, 2026.
2025
Modern Band 101: Double Session. Co-presented with Dan Black, Council Bluffs Community Schools and Jill Wilson, Luther College. Second in a series of modern band sessions in a dedicated room for modern band at the Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 22, 2025.
Adaptive Electronic Instruments. Presentation of electronic musical instruments that teachers can use to invite more students to participate in music class. Presented at the Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 22, 2025.
Uketopia: Ukulele Jam Session. Provided ukuleles, bass and drums to conference attendees and led instructional sing-a-longs with a modern band of music teachers and college professors from Iowa. Created click-track videos for band and supplied sound reinforcement. Featured guest drummer, Mary Claxton from Music Will. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 21, 2025.
Music Education is Stuck in the Past. Let’s Fix It!. TEDx Talk at TEDx University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, October 25, 2025. https://youtu.be/BCSbuNegh8Q?si=dDHFTq6nF6WQLM4W
Rewriting the Score: Music for All. Challenging traditional models and promoting inclusive music education. Campus talk given at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, August 26, 2025.
Changing the Score: An Exploration of Music educators’ Transitions from Classical Training to Popular Music Teaching. Association for Popular Music Education Conference, Memphis, TN, June 7, 2025.
Changing the Score: Popular Music Education in Higher Education. Invited keynote. South Carolina Music Educators Association Conference, Columbia, SC, February 6, 2025.
Making Creative Music Accessible to All Learners. Invited presentation to music education student teachers, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, February 5, 2025.
Scaffolding in a Band Class. Invited presentation to Secondary Methods Course, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, February 5, 2025.
2024
Uketopia: Ukulele Jam Session. Provided ukuleles, bass and drums to conference attendees and led instructional sing-a-longs with a modern band of music teachers and college professors from Iowa. Created click-track videos for band and supplied sound reinforcement. Featured guest drummer, Mary Claxton from Music Will. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 22, 2024.
Scratching 101. Hands on turntablism workshop. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 22, 2024.
What is Modern Band? Hands on presentation with Dan Black, Council Bluffs Community Schools, Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 22, 2024.
Contemporary Rock Band, Invited presenter. Nebraska Music Educators Association. Lincoln, NE. November 20, 2024.
Music For ALL Learners through Electronic Musical Instruments. Invited guest workshop clinician. Luther College Future Music Educators Association. Decorah, IA. October 13, 2024.
The Spectrum Project. Invited lecture for Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Northern Iowa, October 7, 2024.
Audio Engineering class. One-day class from high school students. Hudson High School, Hudson, IA. April 20, 2024.
Music For Learners through Assistive Electronic Musical Instruments and the National Core Arts Standards, Luther College, Decorah, IA, April 22, 2024.
Social Activities in the Spectrum Project. Presentation to the Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute, Online presentation. December January 24, 2024.
2023
Introduction to Scratching. Turntablism lessons to Digital Music class at Washington High School, Cedar Rapids Community School District, Nevada, IA. December 20, 2023.
Uketopia: Ukulele Jam Session. Provided ukuleles, bass and drums to conference attendees and led instructional sing-a-longs with a modern band of music teachers and college professors from Iowa. Created click-track videos for band and supplied sound reinforcement. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 17, 2023.
Modern Band 101: Intro to Modern Band. First in a series of modern band sessions in a dedicated room for modern band at the Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 17, 2023.
Modern Band 101: Guitar and Bass. Co-presented with Dan Black, Council Bluffs Community Schools. Second in a series of modern band sessions in a dedicated room for modern band at the Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 17, 2023.
Modern Band 101: Keyboard and Drum Set. Co-presented with Jill Wilson, Luther College. Third in a series of modern band sessions in a dedicated room for modern band at the Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 17, 2023.
Modern Band 101: Managing a Modern Band. Fifth in a series of modern band sessions in a dedicated room for modern band at the Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 17, 2023.
Beginning Scratching. Hands on presentation and workshop to teach modern band teachers how to scratch on a record player. Modern Band Summit. July 12, 2023.
Using Microphones in a Music Classroom, International Music Education Symposium, Virtual Conference. June 17, 2023.
TASK Party, Multidisciplinary presentation about creating a TASK party for both art and music. Co-presented with Dr. Wendy Miller (UNI). Iowa Fine Art Summit, Ankeny, IA. June 13, 2023.
Introduction to Scratching. Turntablism lessons to three general music classes at Nevada Middle School, Nevada Community School District, Nevada, IA. May 8, 2023.
Introduction to Scratching. Turntablism lessons to six general music classes at Summit Middle School, Johnson Community Schools, Johnson, IA. April 25, 2023.
The Spectrum Project, IMA Plugged In Program, Iowa Museums Association. Virtual invited lecture, April 17, 2023.
2022
Uketopia: Ukulele Jam Session. Provided ukuleles, bass and drums to conference attendees and led instructional sing-a-longs during social event. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 18, 2022.
Introduction to Scratching. Turntablism lessons presented to SOAR class at Hoover Middle School, Waterloo Community Schools, Waterloo, IA. November 8-14, 2022.
Adaptive Electronic Musical Instruments- Allowing Everyone to Make Music. Invited lecture, Minnesota Society of Music Teacher Education, University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, MN, October 28, 2022.
Spectrum Project after the Pandemic. Invited Lecturer. Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), Allen College. Waterloo, IA, October 18, 2022.
Teaching Music through Ukulele. Invited presentation at Made to Teach event. University of Northern Iowa, October 7, 2022.
Music Technology and Tools for Working with Students with Special Needs. Truman State University, September 10, 2022.
Orbas and Oddballs: Tools for Including all learners in modern band. Hands on presentation and workshop at Modern Band Summit, Ft. Collins, CO, July 14, 2022.
Modern Band and SEL. Invited presenter at Social and Emotional Learning Conference. University of Northern Iowa, April 15, 2022.
Race and Ethnicity in Motivation and Learning. Invited guest speaker for Piano Pedagogy class. University of Northern Iowa, March 29 , 2022.
2021
RockShop (Mini). Condensed version of summer RockShop modern band workshop. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 19, 2021.
Uketopia: Ukulele Jam Session. Provided ukuleles, bass and drums to conference attendees and led instructional sing-a-longs during social event. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 19, 2021.
Modern Band Pedagogy and Theory. Invited virtual presentation for undergraduate music education class. Indiana State University, October 13 , 2021.
Apps and Adaptive Electronic Musical Instruments: Everyone Gets to Make Music. Presentation at the FMEA Fall Symposium: Popular Music Pedagogy for Pre-service Music Peeps. Luther College, Decorah, IA. October 8, 2021.
Modern Band in Iowa: Up Close! Presentation at the Iowa Fine Arts Summit: The Arts & Social Emotional Learning. June 17, 2021.
Adaptive Electronic Musical Instruments: Allow Everyone to Make Music. Presentation at the Association for Popular Music Education Conference, Chicago, IL. June 11, 2021.
The impact of the Spectrum Project on the Cedar Valley. Invited Lecturer. Waverly PEO. Waverly, IA, May 4, 2021.
The Development of the Spectrum Project and Future of the Arts for Students with Special Needs During a Pandemic. Invited Lecturer. Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), Allen College. Waterloo, IA, February 2, 2021.
2020
Modern Band Workshop, Simpson College, December 5, 2020.
Free Notation Tools for Music Educators, Reimagining the Future of Music Education, Iowa Music Educators Association, June 23, 2020.
Music Education for Special Populations. Wartburg College Collegiate National Association for Music Education Chapter, invited speaker. Wartburg College, Waverly, IA. February 9, 2020.
Innovation in Music Education, invited speaker. Senior Music Education Seminar course. Wartburg College, Waverly, IA. January 29, 2020.
Modern Band Workshop for teachers involved in Spectrum Project Rocks Projects. Bungee Middle Schools, Evanston, IA. January 17, 2020.
Ukulele Lessons with Elementary Classes, invited guest. Denver Elementary School, Denver, IA. January 15, 2020.
Modern Band Workshop for Waterloo Community Schools Music Educators. George Washington Carver Academy, Waterloo, IA. September 27, 2020.
2019
Ukulele Lessons with Elementary Classes. Nancy Blair, teacher. St. Edmonds Catholic Elementary School, Ft. Dodge, IA. October 2, 2019.
Assistive Electronic Musical Instruments so Everyone Can Make Music, presenter. Inclusive Arts Education Symposium, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA. March 9, 2019.
Modern Band for Anyone!, presenter. Inclusive Arts Education Symposium, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA. March 9, 2019.
Presentation on the UNI Spectrum Project. Sponsored by Future Music Educators Association, Luther College, Decorah, IA. March 3, 2019.
UNI Spectrum Project in the Cedar Valley, invited speaker. PACE Symposium, Central Rivers Area Education Association, Cedar Falls, IA. Feb. 23, 2019.
Trust Building Strategies and the UNI Spectrum Project, invited speaker. Collegiate National Association of Music Education, Luther College, Decorah, IA. Feb. 10, 2019.
2018
2018 Music Education Research Year in Review. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 17, 2018.
Uketopia: Ukulele Jam Session. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 16, 2018.
UNI Spectrum Project, Iowa Choral Directors Association Annual Conference, Central College, Pella, IA, July 26, 2018.
Modern Band in Higher Education: The Modern Band Fellowship, Modern Band Summit, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, July 10, 2018.
Inclusive Modern Band, Modern Band Colloquium, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, July 8, 2018.
It’s all about trust: Relationship Building Research and Strategies of the UNI Spectrum Project, Midwest Summer Institute: Inclusion & Communication for All, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, June 19, 2018.
Modern Band Workshop, Cedar Falls Community Schools, Cedar Falls, IA, February 21, 2018.
2017
Ethics of Action Research in Music Education. Research Ethics Symposium, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, November 29, 2017.
RockShop - Hands On Demonstration of Popular Music Education. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 17, 2017.
Adaptive Technology with iPads so Everyone Can Make Music. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 17, 2017.
Music Education Research 2017 Year in Review-Useful Applications for the Music Classroom. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 18, 2017.
2016
The UNI Spectrum Project in the Cedar Valley, guest speaker. Waterloo Kiwanis Club. Waterloo, IA. April 12, 2017.
Music Education Research 2016 Year in Review-Useful Applications for the Music Classroom. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 19, 2016.
Effective Instruction Through Relationship Development. Invited Lecturer, Allen College Wellness Course, Allen College.Waterloo, IA, October 10, 2016.
The UNI Spectrum Project. Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), Invited Lecturer, Allen College.Waterloo, IA, October 10, 2016.
The UNI Spectrum Project. Invited Lecturer. Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), Allen College.Waterloo, IA, March 24, 2016.
2015
Music Education Research 2015 Year in Review-Useful Applications for the Music Classroom. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 21, 2015.
Teaching Music using a Developmental Relationship-based Approach to Students with Autism. 2015 National In-Service Conference, National Association for Music Education, Nashville, TN, October 24, 2015.
Spectrum Project: Spreading a GREAT Idea. Co-presenter with faculty from the UNI Spectrum Project. 2015 Autism and Arts Education Symposium, Cedar Falls, IA. April 24, 2015.
2014
Teaching All of Them: Vernacular Music Education - Informal Learning with Non-formal Approaches. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 22, 2014.
Music Education Research 2014 Year in Review-Useful Applications for the Music Classroom. Co-presenter with Amy Kotsonis. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 22, 2014.
Exceptional Alternative Ensembles. Co-presenter with David Knapp. 2014 National In-Service Conference, National Association for Music Education, Nashville, TN, October 25, 2014.
Inclusive Strategies in the Arts for Children with Autism. Co-presenter with Gretta Berghammer. Midwest Institute on Inclusion & Communication for All, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, June 23, 2014.
2013
Music Education Research 2013 Year in Review: Useful Applications for the Music Classroom. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 23, 2013.
Spectrum Music: A music project for children with Autism. Co-presenter with Gretta Berghammer and Michelle Droe. Iowa Music Educators Association Conference, Ames, IA, November 23, 2013.