2026 Maine Music Educators Association Conference: Full Schedule

10:00am EDT

Folk Dancing from Kindergarten and Beyond!

Thursday May 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:55am EDT

Memorial Union Bangor Room @ China Rd, Orono, ME 04473, USA

Let's start from the beginning! Learn how to modify movement, make connections to your current curriculum, and get comfortable teaching folk dance in general. We will adapt two basic dances and learn how to progress them for any age.

Speakers

Dustin Levesque

K-4 Music Teacher, South Portland School Department

Dustin (he/him) currently teaches K-4 Music in South Portland, ME. He has completed Orff-Schulwerk Level II training and is a certified Group Fitness Instructor through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America. Dustin has assisted in presenting two sessions at the annual Zumba... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:55am EDT
Memorial Union Bangor Room

Gen Music, K-5

2:00pm EDT

Jammin' in the Classroom: Hands-On Music Fun for K-8

Thursday May 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm EDT

Williams Hall Rm 110 @ 18 W Mall Rd, Orono, ME 04469, USA

Ready to bring Modern Band energy into your classroom? This interactive K–8 session gets students rocking, moving, and making music in fun, student-driven ways. Participants will explore engaging music centers, singing games with groove, and creative strategies that connect movement, rhythm, and ensemble skills. Walk away with ready-to-use ideas, song resources, and a digital Rock the Decades WebQuest for grades 6–8 that blends history, performance, and collaboration. Whether you’re new to Modern Band or looking to expand your toolkit, this session will help you make music learning accessible, exciting, and empowering for every student!

Speakers

Jennifer Holmes

Jennifer Holmes is a PreK–8th grade music educator at Woodland Consolidated School in Northern Maine, where she teaches general music, concert band, jazz band, chorus, show choir, and Modern Band. A multi-instrumentalist and lifelong advocate for student-centered music learning... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm EDT
Williams Hall Rm 110

Gen Music

3:00pm EDT

Musical Generation & Self-Expression – Improvisation in General Music Classrooms

Thursday May 14, 2026 3:00pm - 3:55pm EDT

Williams Hall Rm 140 @ 18 E Mall Rd, Orono, ME 04473, USA

Improvisation is an important facet of a comprehensive general music education. This session will engage participants in music making through a variety of activities utilized to teach music for and with improvisation in general music classrooms. In addition to generating improvised music, we will discuss the values and benefits of providing students with learning opportunities through improvisation, different applications of improvisation activities, challenges to teaching improvisation and overcoming those challenges, and some of the myths about learning to improvise. Join this session to make music and reflect on the inclusion of improvisation in general music curricula.

Speakers

Casey Schmidt

Assist. Professor of Music Education, University of Southern Maine

Casey Schmidt is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Southern Maine’s Osher School of Music. Casey taught instrumental music and music creativity classes in Illinois and Wisconsin public schools for more than a decade prior to his work in higher education... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 3:00pm - 3:55pm EDT
Williams Hall Rm 140

Gen Music

3:00pm EDT

Something Old and Something New: Exploring Traditional and Contemporary Approaches to Folk Dance

Thursday May 14, 2026 3:00pm - 3:55pm EDT

Memorial Union Bangor Room @ China Rd, Orono, ME 04473, USA

Based on compilations such as Dance Music for Children by the Shenanigans, Rhythmically Moving by Phyllis Weikert/Gemini and the New England Dancing Masters, participants will revisit some "tried and true" folk dances they may not have taught in a while. In addition, the clinicians will sprinkle in some new ideas that students will enjoy. Come prepared to dance!

Speakers

Carlena Trombley

K-2 Music Teacher, Falmouth Elementary School

Carlena Trombley is a general music teacher in Falmouth teaching grades K-2. She graduated from UMaine Orono in 2014 with a B.A. in Music Education with a Vocal concentration. In 2021, she earned her M. Ed. in Integrated Teaching Through the Arts from Lesley University. She is currently... Read More →

Rebecca Hanaburgh

Music Teacher-PreK, 5th Grade and Small Group Chorus, Falmouth Elementary School

Becky Hanaburgh has been teaching general/choral music in Maine public schools for thirty three years. She currently teaches general music to grades PreK and 5 and directs the Small Group vocal ensemble at Falmouth Elementary School. She holds a B.A. in music from Cairn University... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 3:00pm - 3:55pm EDT
Memorial Union Bangor Room

Gen Music

4:00pm EDT

My students’ won’t sit still!: Engaging Students through Movement and Manipulatives in the General Music Classroom

Thursday May 14, 2026 4:00pm - 4:55pm EDT

Williams Hall Rm 120 @ 18 E Mall Rd, Orono, ME 04473, USA

Rainy days. Special schedules. The last days of school. All these seem to give students extra energy. Instead of dreading these times, what if we used them to our advantage? Strategically planning movement activities or pulling out a colorful manipulative could be the trick to tapping into students’ excitement and continuing to reinforce curriculum.

This session will explore different tried-and-true movement activities. It will also discuss ways to use puppets, scarves, and more to hold students' attention and dig deeper into their musicianship. You’ll gain a toolbox of easy-to-use activities for your classroom!

Speakers

Claudia Gruett-Labus

Lower School Music Teacher & Middle School Choral Director, Berwick Academy

Claudia Gruett-Labus graduated from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor with her Masters of Music in Music Education in 2025. She previously attended Butler University where she studied and earned a degree in instrumental music education. Claudia has taught general music, band, and... Read More →

Thursday May 14, 2026 4:00pm - 4:55pm EDT
Williams Hall Rm 120

Gen Music, K-5

8:15am EDT

Challenge by choice: Getting started with using centers in the general music classroom

Friday May 15, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT

Williams Hall Rm 110 @ 18 W Mall Rd, Orono, ME 04469, USA

Curious about music centers but not sure where to start? This hands-on workshop introduces practical strategies for creating and managing engaging, student-centered music centers. Designed for teachers new to the concept, participants will explore how centers can support creativity, independence, and differentiation while making assessment more authentic. Together, we’ll look at examples of rhythm, melody, listening, composition, movement, and technology centers adaptable for any classroom setup. You’ll leave with ready-to-use templates, activity ideas, and a plan to start small and grow confidently—bringing structure, variety, and joy to your music classroom. Note: This workshop works as a standalone workshop. This also pairs well with its part 2 counterpart--in which teachers further engage to create a center rotation for their own classroom.

Speakers

Dr. Erin Zaffini

Director of Teacher Education, Longy School of Music

Dr. Erin Zaffini is an internationally recognized music and arts education speaker, consultant, clinician, and Assistant Dean of Teacher Education at the Longy School of Music. She directs Longy’s online Master of Music Education, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, and graduate-level... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT
Williams Hall Rm 110

Gen Music, K-5

9:55am EDT

Challenge by choice: Getting started with using centers in the general music classroom (part 2)

Friday May 15, 2026 9:55am - 10:55am EDT

Williams Hall Rm 110 @ 18 W Mall Rd, Orono, ME 04469, USA

In this hands-on follow-up session, teachers will apply what they learned in Part 1 by designing music centers tailored to their own students, space, and curriculum. Participants will brainstorm, plan, and create ready-to-implement stations that align with musical goals, foster creativity, and encourage student independence. With guided support, examples, and collaboration time, teachers will leave with practical, classroom-ready music centers that can be used immediately—whether teaching rhythm, melody, instruments, or creative movement. This session is ideal for educators ready to move from inspiration to action in bringing music centers to life.

Speakers

Dr. Erin Zaffini

Director of Teacher Education, Longy School of Music

Friday May 15, 2026 9:55am - 10:55am EDT
Williams Hall Rm 110

Gen Music, K-5

11:00am EDT

Practical Application of Universal Design for Learning 3.0 in the Music Classroom

Friday May 15, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Williams Hall Rm 110 @ 18 W Mall Rd, Orono, ME 04469, USA

Universal Design 3.0 is the most equitable framework for educators to date! Come learn how this newly-revised framework can be applied to your own music and arts classroom setting with your own students! This interactive workshop allows teachers to dig into the new guidelines to make some realistic and practical changes that help meet the needs of their students. Whether your goals center engagement, assessment, accessible teaching and learning or creating more joy in your classroom, this session will meet you where you are and skyrocket you to the next level!

Speakers

Dr. Erin Zaffini

Director of Teacher Education, Longy School of Music

Friday May 15, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Williams Hall Rm 110

Gen Music

11:00am EDT

Solfege & Rhythm Activities to Engage Elementary Learners

Friday May 15, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Williams Hall Rm 140 @ 18 E Mall Rd, Orono, ME 04473, USA

This session, inspired by a TikTok video, is designed to give elementary teachers in grades K-4 lesson ideas for engaging their students through solfege singing and/or Orff instrument playing.

Speakers

Eric Yim

Music Teacher PK-3, RSU 14: Windham Primary School

Eric Yim teaches PK-3 general music and 3rd-grade chorus in the RSU 14 School District. He graduated in 2020 from the University of Southern Maine with his Bachelor in Music Education and has spent 6 years working with all ages K-12 doing anything and everything musical. His current... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Williams Hall Rm 140

Gen Music, K-5

1:15pm EDT

Championing Music Education: Strategies to Sustain and Support Music Educators

Friday May 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

Williams Hall Rm 110 @ 18 W Mall Rd, Orono, ME 04469, USA

Music education plays a vital role in fostering student engagement, their creativity, and their social-emotional development—yet those who teach music often face unique challenges that can undermine the support they need to remain in the field. This interactive workshop is designed specifically for music teachers who want to advocate for increased access to the support they need. Participants will explore the specific conditions that help music programs thrive, identify barriers that limit impact, and learn practical strategies for creating a culture where music educators feel valued and empowered. From scheduling and resource building to professional development and advocacy, teachers will leave with actionable tools and insights to elevate music education across schools.

Speakers

Dr. Erin Zaffini

Director of Teacher Education, Longy School of Music

Friday May 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Williams Hall Rm 110

Gen Music

1:15pm EDT

Elementary Repertoire Trends in Maine: A mixed methods exploration of approaches to elementary song selection

Friday May 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

Memorial Union Bangor Room @ China Rd, Orono, ME 04473, USA

Have you ever been curious to see how other teachers plan and select songs for their curriculum? This interactive session will present findings of a 2025-26 survey of Maine elementary music teachers. Participants were asked what resources they use most, what their top criteria in a good song choice was, and what would lead them to remove a song from their curriculum. Findings show popular trends in Maine elementary music education, the planning practices of Maine teachers, and recent shifts in the ways that music is selected for PreK-5 programs in the state. This research was done under the advisory of Dr. Casey Schmidt at the University of Southern Maine.

Speakers

Eddie Holmes

Eddie Holmes is the general music educator at the Waynflete Lower School where he teaches Kindergarten to 5th grade and directs the 4th and 5th grade chorus. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Gettysburg College and is in the Masters in Music Education program at USM. In... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Memorial Union Bangor Room

Gen Music, K-5

3:45pm EDT

Equity in General Music and Beginner Band

Friday May 15, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT

Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107 @ 28 Beddington Rd, Orono, ME 04469, USA

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.

Speakers

Maddy Vlahos

Maya Gould

Rebecca DeWan

Asst. Prof of Choral/General Music Education, University of Maine

Rebecca DeWan is 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 14 years in the K–12 classroom inform her research on trauma-informed, equity-centered... Read More →

Friday May 15, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EDT
Donald P Corbett Hall Rm 107

Band Gen Music DEIA

10:00am EDT

2:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

4:00pm EDT

8:15am EDT

9:55am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

1:15pm EDT

1:15pm EDT

3:45pm EDT

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