2026 Maine Music Educators Association Conference

In this session, UMaine undergraduates present expanded versions of their final project for coursework in which they took a critical look at common practices in PK–12 music education. Situated in current research, the preservice teachers identify a variety of practices—including elementary students receiving general music instruction once a week and the experiences of students with disabilities in beginner band—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.