Overview
MMEA is excited to host the 2nd Annual 2022 Virtual Student Leadership Summit on January 22, 2022. All students in grades seven through twelve as well as undergraduate students are invited to attend. Participants will learn from national and local leaders in the music education field as well as other arts industry leaders from across the United States.
The summit will include a College & Summer Camp Fair where attendees can meet representatives from community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, conservatories, and summer music camps from across the United States.
Session topics include activism, advocacy, careers, conflict resolution, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access; mission, vision and purpose, networking, and MORE!
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The summit will take place from 11am-6pm EST. This will be a virtual event with sessions being conducted over Zoom.
Who Should Attend?
The Summit Committee has crafted content to be applicable to anyone who identifies as a leader or future leader. Section leaders, student directors, field commanders, drum majors, Tri-M chapter officers, NAfME Collegiate chapter officers, future music educators, future arts community leaders, or anyone looking for the tools to become a leader. We welcome all interested participants from Maryland and beyond.
Educators who have students attending the Summit are welcome to attend. Two educators-only breakout sessions will be offered on “Developing Student Leadership in the Classroom.” In all other sessions, we ask educators to participate as observers, allowing students to engage as participants.
MMEA is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive community in which participants and members of all backgrounds can access events, programs, services, and be treated fairly. MMEA does not tolerate harassment, discrimination, prejudice, or bias in admission, employment, volunteering, or administration of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, ancestry, or military service.
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​Registration Fees & Refunds
Registration will be open through January 22, 2022.
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A $20 recommended registration fee* must be paid at the time of registration. MMEA is only accepting online payments for this event. Upon successful registration, a receipt will be processed and sent via e-mail.
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The registration fee includes the live sessions and one-year access to the session recording archive. Each attendee will receive a PDF Certificate of Participation via email following the event.
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Event registration fees are non-refundable unless the MMEA Executive Board takes action to cancel the event.
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*MMEA works to ensure all educators and students seeking resources have the access they need. As such, attendees have the option to choose a “pay what you can” option or recommended registration rates.
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Conference Schedule
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All session times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).
The world needs positive leaders to lift others up now more than ever. In the form of a highly engaging and interactive conversation, this session will share that what it means to be a leader may be different than what you expect. Leadership is not just for those with a leadership title or position. True leadership comes from within and begins with how we lead ourselves. Then we are prepared to inspire and encourage others to achieve their full potential.
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Dr. Matthew Arau, author of "Upbeat! Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership in Music Education and Beyond" and founder of Upbeat Global, is an Associate Professor of Music and the Chair of the Music Education Department and Symphonic Band Conductor at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. Dr. Arau has guest conducted and presented on student leadership, mindfulness, growth mindset, rehearsal techniques, and creating positive cultures in person in over 25 states and 4 continents in person. Discover more about Dr. Arau at www.upbeatglobal.com.
Who knew that starting music in Grade 6 would take me through high school, onto university, into a career as a music teacher, into a career in the military, and also connect me with amazing people from all around the world! Come join me on my journey of personal development & growth from the past 30 years.
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Mandart Chan is a 2nd generation visitor on the lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən people, aka Victoria BC Canada. He is currently one of the music directors of at Belmont Secondary School and is the President of the British Columbia Music Educators Association. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria (BMus - 2003) and Sam Houston State University/American Band College (MMus - 2014) and is currently pursuing a degree in Master of Professional Education in Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice through the University of Western Ontario. He resides in the community of View Royal BC with his partner Jason and their rescue pup Tikka.
Activating Change! Activism for student leaders, is designed specifically for students who want to make positive and lasting changes in their school and music communities. We will examine the role of a) student leaders; b) faculty and/or parent advisors; and c) student stakeholders. The importance of creating a shared vision, tangible and timely goals, and drafting an action plan will be examined.
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Liz Palmer, D.M.A., holds degrees in music technology from Susquehanna University (BA), music education from Towson University (MS) and University of Southern California (DMA). Most recently Dr. Palmer was an instrumental music teacher in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She is a 2020 Teachers Pay Teachers Teach for Justice grantee, and the Director for Diversity and Inclusion of Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity.
YOUR life in music: explore career preparation and pathways to follow and support your passion for music and creativity. Learn about options to build a sustainable career in music and the creative industry.
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Mary Luehrsen is director of public affairs and government relations for NAMM, the National Association of Music. Luehrsen oversees policy and advocacy that advance music making opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. A former professional flutist and music teacher, Luehrsen acknowledges her inspiration to advocate for music education her first music teachers in rural Wisconsin and a belief that all children have the right to learn and grow with music.
For Educators Only: Developing leadership is often an integral part of many music programs as music educators seek to provide “life lessons” for their students. This session will explore critical topics for music educators to consider when developing an inclusive and accessible student-centered leadership program where everyone is valued and has a voice in the program. Be prepared to share your own experiences of leadership development both as an educator and with your students.
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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. In addition to his duties at Hollidaysburg, Mr. Sheehan is the National President-Elect for the National Association for Music Education and serves as the Program Chair for the NAfME All-National Honors Ensembles. Mr. Sheehan is also an Educational Clinician for Conn-Selmer.
Wake up tomorrow, and the world has changed again. But in the midst of an ever accelerating world filled with challenge and change, the best gift we can offer is our full, authentic, and values aligned self. I look forward to sharing more about how to discern and discover your why, and how to operationalize that why in your work to make the biggest impact possible and create the greatest value in your life and work.
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A leader fiercely committed to democratizing art and inspiring revolutionary creativity, Stephen Beaudoin has 20+ years experience as a senior nonprofit executive, former publicly elected school board chair, family foundation board member, and former professional musician and actor. Beaudoin serves today as Executive Director of two time Grammy award winners, The Washington Chorus, and is in the final semester of completing an MBA at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
Student leaders can play a significant role in advocating for their music education experiences. In this session, learn about the resources that are available to leaders and their families, who your partners in advocacy should be, and 2022 initiatives that support the music education experience for students at all levels.
Amy T. Hairston is in her 16th year as a choral/general music and theatre teacher in MD (Springbrook HS). She is a proud alumnus of Oakland Mills HS & UMD. She is the Advocacy Chair on the MMEA executive board. Mrs. Hairston has been a music clinician and adjudicator for Howard, Montgomery, Baltimore and Calvert County, and enjoys presenting at MMEA in-services. Past topics include repertoire sessions, equity in advanced music courses and anti-racism in the music classroom.
Conflicts are unavoidable. How we resolve our organizational conflicts will determine the health, longevity and cohesiveness of our teams. This interactive session will explore the seven (7) steps to turn any conflict into a festival of collaboration.
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Cameron W. Jenkins is the founder of Full Potential Leadership, an international communications platform that coaches innovative leaders to maximize their strengths and reach their full potential. Cameron is an author, keynote speaker, leadership consultant, professional development coach, and community leader. Cameron is an avid learner, team builder, and he serves as a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician. Cameron and his wife, Lu Jenkins, are church planters. They founded Opportunity Church, a multi-ethnic church in Gulfport, Mississippi.
This session will explore ways to build YOUR music education community by examining some examples and also reflecting on your own space.
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Distinguished as a prominent thought leader in public music education, Chiho Okuizumi Feindler is responsible for designing and overseeing the implementation of Save The Music Foundation’s national programs aimed at ensuring equity and access to comprehensive music education in America’s public schools. She is a recipient of Honorary West Virginian Award and currently serves on multiple national and regional boards including The Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning and Arts Ed Newark.
For Educators Only: Your student leadership team has the power to help build a family atmosphere of excellence, accountability, and community. This session will provide multiple strategies to foster growth and leadership development within your music program.
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Dr. Myra Rhoden is the founder of the Athena Music and Leadership Camp, an all-girls program built on a foundation of social-emotional learning and developing musicianship. She serves as the Fine Arts Department Chair and Director of Bands at Fayette County High School (Georgia), is a Conn-Selmer Educational Clinician, and is honored to have an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the country.
Students need to be safe in their environment in order to learn effectively. If a student is hearing and feel compartmentalized by their peers words, then their attention is divided between the lesson and the words of their peers. Peers and student learners need to be challenged to see their own internal bias and shift the axis of acknowledging the whole person not just their "unique/different" elements. Uniqueness is another way to say to different. Different from what? What is normal? Who is normal? How do people shift vocabulary to be perpetually inclusive and change the social norm to be authentically inclusive - period?
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Ruth LeMay is a passionate urban music educator. She believes everyone needs equal access to music making that is relevant to their lives. Ruth created 3 Strings, an adaptive methodology, with the intent to bring humans together through music, regardless of ability.
Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on the day, share ideas for implementation, and network with fellow leaders. Students will be sorted into groups by last name (A-I, J-Q, R-Z). Educators will have their own group.
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