2026 Maine Music Educators Association Conference

"Creating a Jazz Culture" is an engaging, idea-packed session for music educators who want to energize their jazz programs and inspire students. Explore practical strategies for setting up your ensemble, selecting the right charts, and planning effective and creative rehearsals. Learn proven methods for introducing improvisation, developing style and groove, and connecting students to the rich traditions of jazz. With a mix of inspiration and hands-on tips, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas, easy-to-use strategies, and the confidence to grow a jazz program that swings and keeps students coming back for more, developing a lifelong love of jazz.

Designed for middle school and high school choral and general music educators, this professional workshop is ideal for teachers new to jazz choir or interested in starting one at their school. With a truly beginner-friendly approach, participants will learn how to introduce the concept of vocal improvisation to students and incorporate improvisatory activities into their rehearsals. Through experiential learning, attendees will explore engaging vocal improvisation games, tools, and foundational concepts, and leave with practical, ready-to-use activities—along with renewed excitement for building and investing in jazz choirs across Maine.

This session will examine the rhythm section and its role in the jazz ensemble. We will discuss the collaborative interactions between rhythm section players and strategies for fostering authentic and creative music making in the context of rhythm sections in early to intermediate stages of development. We will focus on strategies that address moving students away from reading notated charts to understanding lead sheets and generating interactive and improvised accompaniments to big band arrangements. A combo of USM music education students will serve as the rhythm section to model the strategies and activities addressed in this session.

Jazz is scary! But does it have to be? If exploring vocal jazz feels intimidating, this session will show you why you should consider adding jazz to your curriculum, or even start your own jazz choir! As a newbie to teaching vocal jazz, I'll showcase the benefits I've seen in my program, discuss potential hurdles and how to overcome or avoid them, share some tips and tricks I've picked up, and break down some of the techniques, idioms, language, and other seeming mysteries surrounding jazz choir. If I can do it, so can you!