2026 NMEA Conference/In-Service Clinic Schedule

NMEA's annual Conference/In-Service Clinic will be held November 18-20 (Wednesday-Friday) in Lincoln, NE. Registration headquarters and Expo are at the Embassy Suites, 1040 P Street, with conference sessions across the street on UNL's main campus (Westbrook Music Building), the Lied Center for Performing Arts, the Graduate Hotel, and the Embassy Suites. The Cornhusker Marriott Hotel will also be used for our Tri-M and Collegiate Symposiums.

*The conference schedule is subject to change.

Registration is Open!

Register for the 2026 Conference/In-Service Clinic

Early bird pricing is now through October 31. Prices increase starting November 1.

Click here to download a PDF of the current version of our at-a-glance 2026 Conference schedule.

Download the At-A-Glance Schedule

QUICK LINKS

REGISTRATION AND CHECK-IN LOCATIONS

Please Note: Teachers checking in their students for the Middle Level Chorus, Middle Level String Orchestra, and Orff Ensemble will pick up their conference registration packet in their respective check-in locations from 7:15 am - 8:00 am. After 8:30 am, registration packets will move to the Embassy Suites.

EXHIBIT TIMES

COMPLIMENTARY SHUTTLE SERVICE

Travel easily between the various NMEA Conference venues with our complimentary shuttle service! Shuttle service pick-up and drop-off areas are:

• Embassy Suites, corner of P St & N 11th St (within walking distance of the Graduate Hotel)
• Cornhusker Hotel, S 13th St (within walking distance of St. Paul)

Shuttle service is available for conference attendees and All-State students to use and will run during the following times:

DAY 1: NO SHUTTLE SERVICE

DAY 2: THURSDAY SHUTTLE SERVICE (stops on East side of ES, CH)

• 7:15 AM - 8:15 AM; ES-CH
• 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM; ES-CH, CH-ES
• 3:30 PM - 6:15 PM; ES-CH
• 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM; CH-ES

DAY 3: FRIDAY SHUTTLE SERVICE (stops on East side of ES, CH)

• 7:15 AM - 8:15 AM; ES-CH
• 9:30 AM - 12:00 NOON; ES-CH

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Wednesday, November 18

MIDDLE LEVEL CHORUS SESSIONS

Strategies for Teaching the Changing Voice
Presenter: Hannah Lambert
8:45 am, LC C

In this session, we will work to demystify the changing voice– both treble and bass. We'll focus on techniques to help singers fight nerves with knowledge, work through common challenges and strategies to address them; and finally, we’ll take some time to sing together and share voice-building exercises that can help our singers to navigate their changing voices more confidently. Come to this session to collaborate with colleagues and gain concrete tools to use in your classroom this year! 

Hannah Lambert is the vocal music teacher and director of choirs at Moore Middle School. A Lincoln native and former Norris Titan, Lambert received her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At UNL, Lambert was the 2012-13 Presser Scholar, and a member of University Singers, Big Red Singers Show Choir, University Women’s Chorale, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Cornhusker Marching Band, of which she was a drum major. Lambert also co-founded Boots & Cats, UNL’s first female a cappella group. Lambert is the Director of the Lincoln All-City Girls Chorus. She is an active member of the American Choral Director's Association as well as the National Association for Music Education. Lambert has also enjoyed music directing for various community theaters in the Lincoln area. Lambert has taught at Moore since the building opened in August 2017. She, her husband Ron, their two cats (Ben & Jerry), and dog (Cece) love to spend time cooking, talking, playing cards, exercising, making music, and watching sports.

So you didn't sign up for this class... a.k.a Teaching Magic to Muggles
Presenter: Hannah Lambert
10:45 am, LC C

It’s wonderful to lead a class of students who chose to be there and love to sing! But what do you do when students don’t necessarily want to be in your class? What do you do when students are disengaged before they’ve even entered your room?

This session will cover winning tactics for teaching middle school general music classes. We’ll discuss both philosophical ideas and practical strategies for building deeper relationships, creating meaningful, relevant lessons, and actively engaging students in class. Leave this session with more confidence and ideas for both what to teach and how to make your classroom a place where even non-“music kids” feel empowered to be music-makers.

See bio above. 

MIDDLE LEVEL ORCHESTRA SESSIONS

Conversation with Conductor
Presenter: Blair Williams
10:00 am, WMB 140

Join us for an engaging and intimate conversation with our 2026 All-State Middle Level Orchestra conductor Dr. Blair Williams. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of conducting, the challenges of orchestral leadership, and the transformative power of music.

Dr. Blair A. Williams is Director of Professional Development for the American String Teachers Association. She has served our string teaching community in public school, higher education, civic and youth symphonies, and in the string studio for over 25 years. Her school ensembles consistently achieved superior marks at contests and festivals. Recent conducting and clinician engagements have included youth, regional, and all-city ensembles in Alaska, Kansas, Hawaii, Ohio, Oregon, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Texas. She is on the conducting staff with the Manhattan (KS) Youth Symphony and frequently performs as a freelance musician. Her presentations and research have been accepted or presented at international, national, and regional conferences and symposia. Her research interests include: music teacher education, community music, and music teacher recruitment. She is published in International Journal of Music Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, American String Teacher, SmartMusic, and in volume 4 of Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra. A frequent guest conductor, clinician, lecturer, and adjudicator, Dr. Williams enjoys working with and learning from teachers, musicians, and students across the country. Originally from Newton, Kansas, she holds degrees from The Ohio State University, Kansas State University, and Baylor University.

The Music Teachers’ Little Guide to Big Motivation
Presenter: Ruth Meints
12:00 pm, WMB 143

The Music Teachers’ Little Guide to Big Motivation Workshop gives practical suggestions for improving engagement with every student in the private studio or classroom setting. Participants in this workshop will learn about the eight motivational styles and how to incorporate each style into the learning environment. Teachers will learn about their own motivational styles and how these can impact their teaching strategies, and deepen their understanding of what motivates people.

For those interested in learning more, The Music Teachers’ Little Guide to Big Motivation book by Ruth Meints is available on Amazon.

Ruth Meints is the Artist-Faculty Mentor at the Omaha Conservatory of Music, training teachers at all career stages. A Suzuki teacher trainer, she created the five-year String Sprouts curriculum for teaching stringed instruments in a group setting. She maintains a full violin/viola studio, directs the Frontier Strings touring ensemble, and leads workshops nationally and internationally on pedagogy, motivation, and music education. Ruth served as Executive Director of the Omaha Conservatory of Music for nearly two decades, creating programs including the SoundWaves Summer Institute, Winter Festival Orchestra, a music program at St. Augustine Mission School on the Winnebago reservation, and the Inside the Mind of the Artist recital series. She previously headed the string department at Azusa Pacific University and taught at Biola University. Ruth holds a Bachelor of Music from UNL and a Master of Music in Suzuki pedagogy from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, studying with Suzuki pioneer John Kendall.

Double Bass for Not Bassists - A Quick Start Guide
Presenter: Bobby Scharman
1:15 pm, WMB 143

Double bass is often overlooked in university strings methods classes, or viewed as "just a bigger cello." It's important for educators to know the fundamentals of what makes the double bass different, and how to approach instruction in a manner that sets students up for long-term success. In this session, we'll explore the physical approach to the instrument, instantly useful position indicators, and what to look for when choosing repertoire.

A native of Manhattan, KS, Bobby Scharmann discovered his love of bass as a teen transcribing Flea's basslines, then joined rock bands, jazz band, and youth orchestra. He's now a stylistically diverse bassist and educator. Bobby was appointed Associate Principal Bass with the Omaha Symphony in 2023 after seven years in the bass section, and teaches at the Glenn Korff School of Music at UNL. His festival credits include the Aspen Music Festival and the National Repertory Orchestra. Bobby has also performed jazz, rock, and pop nationwide, at venues including The Jazz Kitchen, The Chatterbox, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. He won two 2015 Downbeat Student Music Awards with jazz septet JKS, whose debut album "Moonflower" released that year, and studied at Ravinia's Steans Institute for Jazz in 2014. Bobby holds a Master of Music from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Music from Kansas State University.

ORFF TEACHER SESSIONS

Q&A with Karen Benson
Presenter: Karen Benson
12:45 pm, WMB 153

Description

Karen K. Benson serves as the Professional Development Director for the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA), where she is also a Past President and former National Conference Chair. Karen taught grades PreK-5 for 33 years, including 29 years in the Millard Public School District in Omaha, Nebraska, where she also directed the school’s choir and the district’s Orff Schulwerk Honors Ensemble. Karen continues to teach AOSA Teacher Education Level Courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Alvin Independent School District. Additionally, she serves as an instructor for supplemental Orff Schulwerk seminars and AOSA chapter workshops, a guest lecturer for collegiate music education classes, and adjunct faculty for the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Ashland University. Karen received the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award in Music from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As a performing musician, Karen plays saxophone, performs on recorder with the Renaissance Thyme Recorder Consort and violin with The Intergeneration Orchestra of Omaha, and sings in the Sing Omaha Master Chorale.

Cultivating Creativity through the Orff process
Presenter: Kathleen McBee
5:30 pm, WMB 143

Description

Kathleen McBee is in her eleventh year with Elkhorn Public Schools teaching K-5 general music at West Bay Elementary. Kathleen graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor's in Music Education in 2016 and is currently pursuing a Masters in Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She has completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk at UNL and all three levels of Kodály at UNO. She currently serves as the Past President of the Great Plains Orff Chapter. Kathleen presents at the local and national level where she enjoys presenting on Orff-inspired programs, planning techniques, and the integration of mindfulness and breathwork in the classroom. In her free time, Kathleen likes to teach and practice yoga, read books, and go on walks. She lives in Omaha with her husband, Jesse, and her four rescue dogs, Stu, Winston, Leo and Wonder.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you See? Only a Million Possibilities!
Presenter: Jake Consbruck
6:45 pm, WMB 143

Description

Jake Consbruck is the K-5 Music teacher at Kenwood Elementary in Kearney Public Schools. He will be starting his 8th year of teaching. Jake graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in 2019 with his Bachelor's in K-12 Music Education, and has a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. Jake has completed Levels I, II, and III of Orff-Schulwerk at UNL, and Level I of World Music Drumming at Nebraska Wesleyan.  ​

DISCUSSION FORUMS & MEETINGS

NMEA Annual Membership Meeting
Guest Speaker: Cecil Adderly, NAfME President
7:45 pm, WMB 130

Join us for the annual NMEA Membership meeting featuring an address from NAfME President Cecil Adderly. We will also update you on what NMEA has been working on this past year and introduce the candidates for the 2026 Board of Directors election.

Discussion Forum: All-State Auditions
Presenter: Scott Dugdale, Director of Auditions & Ensemble Affairs
8:00 pm, WMB 101

This discussion forum provides a dedicated space for music educators to discuss the All-State ensemble audition process. Teachers are encouraged to share feedback, voice concerns, and ask questions about audition procedures, evaluation criteria, and student preparation. The goal is to foster open communication between educators and organizers, ensuring a transparent and supportive experience for both teachers and students involved in the audition process.

Conference Buddy Meeting
8:45 pm, ES Chancellor 2 & 3

Participants in the Conference Buddy program are encouraged to use this time and space to connect with their buddy—introduce themselves, get acquainted, and make a plan for navigating the conference together.

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Thursday, November 19

THURSDAY MORNING SESSIONS

Starting Strong: Designing a Music Program When You're New to the School
Presenters: William Green & Michelle Michaelis
8:00 am, WMB 009

This interactive workshop is geared toward new teachers, new teacher mentors, and those moving to a new school. The workshop will simulate collecting clues about a new school environment to consider previous programming, reflecting on student-centered program goals, and building or rebuilding a school music program from the ground up. Using a structured 50-minute session, presenters Michele Michaelis and Will Green will guide participants through a process of reflection, planning, and collaborative problem-solving focused on program development. Through small group discussions, teachers explore the expectations of students’ parents and principals and explore how these perspectives shape program goals. Participants will also explore communication strategies for implementing new ideas effectively. The session concludes with a collaborative gallery walk and reflection, giving educators actionable strategies for building sustainable student-focused music programs in a variety of music education settings. 

William C. Green is currently pursuing his PhD in Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and plans to graduate in May 2027. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education (K-12 Vocal and Instrumental) with a voice emphasis from Wayne State College in 2013 and completed his Master's degree in Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2020. Before beginning his doctoral studies, William taught general music in Omaha Public Schools for ten years. He taught at Sunny Slope Elementary, Gateway Elementary, Prairie Wind Elementary, and Washington Elementary, where he worked closely with students of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Through this work, he developed a strong commitment to inclusive, student-centered music teaching and witnessed firsthand how music fosters connection, confidence, and belonging. In his doctoral studies, William builds on his classroom experience to explore inclusive music and choral settings. He focuses on how these environments support student motivation, learner ownership, and a sense of belonging. By connecting research with practice, he aims to advance inclusive and meaningful music-making in schools and community settings.

Michele Michaelis is currently a Graduate Teacher Assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is working on a PhD in music education while concurrently pursuing a graduate certificate in educational neuroscience. She has approximately 20 years of experience teaching K-8 vocal music and is working on Orff and Kodaly levels in the summers. Earned degrees include a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and a Master of Learning Design & Technology from Purdue. Michele enjoys spending time with her family, her dog, watercolor painting, ice skating, and keeping a 1,084-day Duolingo streak alive.

10 Tips for Starting a Mariachi Program and Why Your School Needs One!
Presenters: Hannah Leddy & Fernando Lopez Bribiesca
8:00 am, WMB 019

Throughout the session, we will deliver tips to starting a mariachi program as professional mariachi musicians and educators who have been developing a program over the past 3 years. The session will be geared towards an audience with little to no experience with mariachi. Presenters will share information on the basics of a mariachi ensemble, where to find instruments and music, and the mariachi style – both how it sounds and how it looks. 

Hannah Leddy graduated with a bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education in 2020 and has been working as music teacher in Omaha. She first started as a high school vocal and instrumental teacher, then I transitioned to her current position as an elementary band teacher where she has been teaching for 4 years. She has enjoyed growing as an educator through professional development and advancing her education with a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. In addition to her position as a band teacher, she has been directing mariachi groups in OPS for the past 3 years. She is a professional mariachi musician outside of school and is passionate about sharing this music with students.

A native of Uruapan, Mexico, Fernando began his musical journey in Arkansas before returning to Mexico to study mariachi at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara under Professor Armando Tinoco. He holds degrees in Marketing and Instrumental/Vocal Education. Since 2021, Fernando has served as a traveling orchestra instructor for Omaha Public Schools. An accomplished arranger, he has created multiple pieces for the Omaha Symphony and performed jarocho music for Omaha Performing Arts. As a global performer, Mariachi music has taken Fernando across North America, Europe, and Cuba. Currently playing guitarrón, violin, trumpet, and harp with Omaha’s Mariachi Rey Azteca, Fernando bridges creativity, musical integrity, and strategic diversity. He aims to fuse artistic expression with cultural inclusivity, inspiring the next generation of beginner musicians on their own lifelong musical journeys.

A Call to Mentorship: New Ideas and Best Practices
Presenter: Jason Smith
8:00 am, WMB 101

Mentorship is a crucial part of educator support. This session stresses the importance of having strong mentors, seeks to remove stigmas attached to asking for a mentor, provides helpful guidelines for a positive mentor/mentee relationship, and lastly provides creative networking opportunities.

Jason Smith is one of the 5th-12th grade Band Directors at Wahoo Public Schools. Mr. Smith is also a staff member for the Nebraska Ambassadors of Music, the Public Relations Chair for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, and is a sub for the polka band Less Talk More Polka. He received a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2009, and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in Arts Integration from Wayne State College in 2021. Under his direction, Wahoo has received the NMEA High School Music Participation Recognition, the NSBA Academic Achievement Award, and the Best Communities for Music Education distinction. Mr. Smith was the recipient of the 2021 NMEA Music Educator of the Year Award and the 2023 Nebraska VFW Teacher of the Year Award, and the 2026 recipient of the Nate Metschke Outstanding Mid-Career Director Award.

Getting the Most from Your NAfME Membership
Presenter: Angela Wright
8:00 am, WMB 103

Description coming soon!

NCDA Reading Session
Presenter: Barina Buresh Crosland, NCDA President
8:00 am, WMB 116

NCDA will lead a repertoire reading session with titles for various levels of choral ensemble from middle school, high school, college/university, community, and worship. Attendees will be led through 8-10 curated octavos, and will be provided with single copies of the sheet music to keep. This session will also include a brief organizational update and summer conference preview.

Finding Your Voice: Cello Vibrato Through the Stages of Learning
Presenter: Sonja Kraus
8:00 am, WMB 130

Vibrato is one of the most personal and expressive aspects of cello playing, yet its development often presents significant pedagogical challenges. Drawing on pedagogical research, personal teaching experience, and ongoing dialogue with fellow cello educators, this session explores stage-appropriate strategies for cultivating and refining vibrato throughout a student’s development. Topics include foundational exercises for beginners, approaches to releasing tension and loosening tight vibrato, techniques for developing speed and tonal color control, strategies for continuous vibrato, and stylistic applications across repertoire. Particular attention will be given to common technical and musical obstacles students encounter at different levels, including inconsistency, tension, and limited vibrato variety. Participants will leave with practical exercises, pedagogical tools, and new perspectives for helping students develop a healthy, flexible, and expressive vibrato.

Sonja Kraus, a German-born cellist, educator, and music scholar, is an internationally recognized performer and clinician whose career spans Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the United States. She currently holds the position as Associate Professor of Cello at the University of South Dakota and cellist of the acclaimed Rawlins Piano Trio. Formerly the cello professor at Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo and principal cellist of the Orquesta Filarmónica Municipal de Guayaquil in Ecuador, Kraus now also serves as orchestra manager of the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico and artistic director of Ensemble Zusammen. The latter recently won 2nd prize in the Collegiate Chamber Music Category of national music competition The American Prize. As a frequent guest artist and masterclass instructor, she has appeared at institutions including Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Boston Conservatory, and the University of Missouri – Kansas City, and has performed at international festivals such as Habana Clásica and the Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy.

Preparing the Next Generation of Successful String Teachers: Building College and Career Readiness in String Students as Young as Middle School!
Presenter: Blair Williams
8:00 am, WMB 131

Who and when were you inspired to become a string teacher? Research shows that Persons, Performing Experiences, Teaching Experiences, Service Experiences, Events, and Organizations/Associations have the greatest impact on the next generation of music teachers. Additionally, students are facing career choices earlier and earlier. Participants will reflect on how they are actively encouraging and nurturing future teachers and gather tools for validating and promoting our profession to our students, parents, administrators, and communities. Teachers make an incredible impact on all students! Your next colleague might just be sitting in your orchestra today!

Blair Williams bio already given - go here to view. 

Educator as Performer, Performer as Educator
Presenter: Louie Eckhardt
8:00 am, WMB 143

Music education and music performance are often treated as separate professional identities, but the most vibrant musical communities thrive when these roles overlap. This session explores the reciprocal relationship between performing and teaching, and why active musicianship strengthens music educators and their students. When teachers perform, they model lifelong artistry, authenticity, and professional relevance for their students. Likewise, performers have an important role as educators through private teaching, coaching, community engagement, advocacy, and collaboration with school music programs. Drawing in part on principles of teaching artistry associated with Eric Booth, this session will discuss practical ways musicians can integrate performing, teaching, and community engagement into a unified professional identity. Participants will leave with concrete ideas for sustaining their own artistic practice while enriching music learning in their schools and communities.

Dr. Louie Eckhardt is a trumpeter, educator, and advocate for new music. An active orchestral musician, Dr. Eckhardt has performed with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Boulder Chamber Orchestra, and the Victoria Bach Festival, and formerly served as principal trumpet of the Monroe Symphony Orchestra. He currently serves as principal trumpet of the Hastings Symphony Orchestra, the Cathedral Brass Quintet, and the Nebraska Trumpet Ensemble. Dr. Eckhardt holds degrees from Hastings College (B.M.), The Pennsylvania State University (M.M.), and Louisiana State University (D.M.A.). His principal teachers include Daniel Schmidt, Langston J. Fitzgerald III, and Brian Shaw, with additional studies under Denny Schneider, Keith Benjamin, John Thiessen, Charles Lirette, and Vance Woolf. He is a member of the Lincoln Musicians' Association, Local 463 of the American Federation of Musicians.

The Room Where It Happens: Change the Room
Presenter: Ann Usher
8:00 am, WMB 153

From Music Teacher to Education Leader

Dr. Ann Usher is Professor Emerita at The University of Akron, where she served as Interim Dean of the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (2025–2026) following her 2024 retirement as Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. As Professor of Music, she taught music education courses and supervised student teachers, and directed the School of Music (2012–2016; interim, 2018–2019). Before joining Akron's faculty in 2000, she taught public school choral music for eleven years. Usher served as President of the Ohio Music Education Association (2020–2022), guiding the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, and held numerous offices in OMEA and the Ohio Choral Directors Association. She was guest conductor for OMEA's inaugural All-State Children's Chorus in 2014 and has led honor choirs nationwide. She retired in 2020 after twenty seasons as director of the Cleveland Orchestra Children's Choruses, preparing them for performances under conductors including Franz Welser-Möst and Pierre Boulez. She holds degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and Kent State University.

Percussion Party - Get Creative with Rhythm Instruments
Presenter: Stacy Werner
8:00 am, LC C

Explore the exciting world of percussion instruments! Percussion instruments aren’t just for making noise; they’re tools for creativity, expression, and musical exploration. From sound effects to composing percussion pieces, participants will discover ways to incorporate rhythm instruments into their lessons. With a blend of classical and contemporary music, improvisation, and composition activities, this session will inspire educators to ignite a love for rhythm in their PreK to Grade 6 classrooms.

Stacy Werner is a music specialist with over 15 years of experience teaching choir, instrumental ensembles, piano, and classroom music. She currently teaches kindergarten to Grade 6 music in Alberta, Canada. In addition to her teaching role, Stacy serves as the Education Director for MusicplayOnline, a platform dedicated to supporting music educators in enhancing their teaching practices. Stacy has delivered sessions across North America, equipping educators with practical tools and strategies to engage students in music learning. She is also the author of the "Super Simple Music Centers" series, published by Themes and Variations. Stacy has completed training in both Orff and Kodaly pedagogy at the University of Kentucky and the University of Alberta. Through close collaboration with her mentor and mother, Denise Gagne, Stacy remains committed to ongoing growth as an educator, fostering a dynamic and engaging musical learning environment for her students.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER - Marcia Neel

2026 Conference Keynote Address: "But for Music Education"
Keynote Speaker: Marcia Neel
9:15 am, WMB 116

"But for Music Education..." asks a simple but urgent question: who would our students be without it? Marcia Neel opens the conference with a keynote on the lasting impact music programs have on kids' lives — and why that impact is worth protecting.

With an extensive career in music education, Marcia Neel has dedicated her career to expanding and strengthening music programs nationwide. She served as a practicing educator for 22 years before being appointed Coordinator of Secondary Fine Arts for the Clark County School District (Las Vegas, NV) for an additional 14 years, where she led the district's secondary music program to an enrollment of more than 75,000 students. A respected author and speaker, Marcia writes the Marcia's Notes column for InTune Magazine and contributes to the SBO+ Magazine MAC Corner. She is an influential voice in professional music organizations, having recently completed a seven-year term on the Percussive Arts Society Board of Directors. Neel currently serves as Education Advisor to the Music Achievement Council, Senior Director of Education for Yamaha Corporation, and President of Music Education Consultants, Inc., supporting professional development and music program growth.

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THURSDAY MORNING CONCERT HOUR

The University A Cappella Choir from Concordia University, NE
Directed by Kurt von Kampen
10:30 am, StP

Concordia University’s A Cappella Choir has been performing concerts and joining congregations in worship for over 88 years.   One of the United States’ oldest touring Lutheran collegiate choirs, the A Cappella Choir has performed throughout the U.S., and internationally in Greece, Italy, France, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Austria, Spain, Mexico, South Africa, and Australia.  The 72-voice choir is chosen by audition and is comprised of majors from most academic disciplines, representing many states and some foreign countries.  Over 180 students audition each fall for the internationally renowned concert choir.The choir has been invited to perform for NMEA and ACDA conferences, and international competitions.  They received the Gold Medal for performance at the 12th Australian International Music Festival in Sydney and earned a spot in the winner’s circle at the 42nd International Choral Competition in Spittal, Austria.

Kurt E. von Kampen has been conducting choirs at Concordia University since the fall of 1998, and is the fourth conductor in the 88-year history of the University A Cappella Choir.  Prior to accepting the position at Concordia, Kurt served as director of the choral activities at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and as director of music at Lutheran High School Westland and Northwest in the Detroit area.  Von Kampen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Concordia University in Seward, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich., and a Doctorate in Choral Music Education from the University of Nebraska.  In 2007, von Kampen received Concordia’s Outstanding Teacher Award, and in November 2012, was named the Nebraska Choral Directors Association Outstanding Choral Director of the Year.

Doane Doublewide
Directed by Kurt Runestad
10:30 am, WMB 130

Doublewide is one of four choral ensembles at Doane University, and consists of 14-16 tenors and basses.  The group’s name comes from its original size of eight singers:  a double quartet.  Directed by Dr. Kurt Runestad, Director of Choral Activities at Doane, Doublewide sings in a variety of mostly a cappella genres, focusing on popular styles:  barbershop, doo-wop, gospel, spirituals, and vocal jazz.  Auditions for the group occur each fall and the group rehearses twice a week during the academic year.  Doublewide tours at least twice annually, once with Doane Choir in the late winter and again in the spring with Doane’s jazzchoir, Jazz Unlimited.  The group has performed all over the US and world, and has appeared at four NMEA fall music conventions, most recently in November of 2022.

Dr. Kurt Runestad has been privileged to teach at Doane since the fall of 2004.  He conducts three of Doane’s four choirs, including the acclaimed Doane Choir, which under his direction has performed in twelve countries on four continents, and throughout the US.  A native of Wayne, Nebraska, Runestad graduated magna cum laude from St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minnesota) with a B.A. in music education, taught 10 years in the public schools of Iowa and Minnesota, and earned two graduate degrees in choral conducting from the University of Iowa.  His arranged transcriptions of music by the Soweto Gospel Choir are published by www.musicspoke.com.  Runestad has twice received the “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” award from Doane’s Student Congress.  He lives in Lincoln with his wife Carly Woythaler-Runestad and their two children, daughter Avery and son Owen.  Runestad also enjoys reading, (mostly) organic gardening, and travelling.

Bellevue East Wind Ensemble
Directed by Jeremy Krug
10:45 am, LC Stage

The Bellevue East Wind Ensemble is the premier instrumental ensemble of Bellevue East High School and represents the highest level of performance within the school’s band program. Membership is selected through a competitive audition process from more than 200 student musicians. The ensemble is dedicated to artistic excellence and performs a diverse repertoire spanning cornerstone works of the wind band tradition, contemporary masterworks, and innovative compositions by today’s leading composers. Through consistent musical achievement, the Bellevue East Wind Ensemble has earned recognition for its commitment to expressive performance, technical precision, and educational excellence. The ensemble strives to inspire audiences through engaging and meaningful musical experiences.

Jeremy Krug serves as the director of bands for Bellevue East High School. He came to Bellevue Public Schools in 2019 with previous posts in Maryville, MO, Lansing, KS, and Lee’s Summit, MO. Krug served in the United States Marine Corps from 2002 to 2010 as a machine-gunner in the infantry completing a deployment to Iraq in 2004. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Memphis and his master's degree in music education through the American Band College at Central Washington University.

Pound Middle School 8th Grade Concert Band
Directed by Wade Howles
10:45 am, KRH

Since opening in 1963, Pound Middle School has had a legacy of master teachers leading their bands and outstanding young musicians populating their ensembles. Students from Pound are regularly selected to NSBA 8th Grade All-State as well as numerous regional honor bands, and the 8th Grade Concert Band was recently selected to perform at the 2025 Nebraska State Bandmasters Association spring convention. The 2025-26 edition of 8th Grade Concert Band at Pound Middle School is certainly no exception to the tradition of outstanding student musicians established at Pound. This group of 40 hardworking students rehearse as a full ensemble every day and has shown an incredible amount of growth as musicians since coming to Pound. All students have received high ratings at LPS Solo & Small Ensemble Contest, and several have been selected to regional honor bands.

Dr. Wade Howles currently directs concert and jazz bands at Pound Middle School in Lincoln, NE where he has served since 2021. Bands under his direction have received numerous superior ratings and performed at the 2025 NSBA state convention. Dr. Howles is also the Jazz Chair for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association and runs a thriving private saxophone studio of students throughout Eastern Nebraska, including multiple All-State Band members. Dr. Howles is active outside of teaching as a clinician, adjudicator, and freelance saxophonist. Dr. Howles holds degrees from Northwest Missouri State University (B.S.Ed.) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (M.M. and D.M.A). He currently resides in Lincoln, NE with his wife, two sons, two dogs, leopard gecko, and turtle. Dr. Howles is proud to represent Eastman Winds, Rovner Ligatures, and Key Leaves as an endorsing artist/educator.

Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir
Directed by Tom Trenney
11:00 am, StP

The Nebraska Wesleyan University Choir is one of three vocal ensembles at NWU.  In recent seasons, the choir has been humbled to sing with composers and conductors Jake Runestad, Anton Armstrong, Shawn Kirchner, Brandon Boyd, Rosephanye Powell, Arianne Abela, Edward Polochick, and Stacey Gibbs.  Their recent annual tours have taken them to Ann Arbor, Chicago, Indianapolis, Memphis, Charleston, Charlotte, Nashville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Leipzig, and Vienna, and they sang Mozart’s "Requiem" in Prague in midsummer 2025.  The ensemble has enjoyed performing Beethoven IX and Mahler II with Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra and Hailstork’s "I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes" at Carnegie Hall.  The students who sing in University Choir come from many majors across campus, and all incoming students have the opportunity to earn a scholarship for their participation in a music ensemble at NWU.  The choir’s mission is to sing with intention and expression, to uplift and inspire.

Composer, conductor, organist, preacher, and teacher Tom Trenney has been blessed to serve as Minister of Music to First-Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, since 2009.  In 2019, he became Director of Choirs at Nebraska Wesleyan University where he holds the Susan Sehnert Stuart Endowed Professorship for Choral Music. Tom’s choirs have been honored to perform for state, regional, and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and they have been award winners in the American Prize for choral ensembles.  In 2024, Tom was named Music Educator of the Year by the Nebraska Music Education Association. Tom has been a featured performer at churches, colleges, and concert halls across the country, including Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, Kansas City’s Kauffman Center, DC’s Kennedy Center, and NYC’s Carnegie Hall.  His choral compositions are published by Augsburg Fortress, Beckenhorst Press, Choristers Guild, E.C. Schirmer, Gentry, Morningstar, Pavane, and G. Schirmer.

Lincoln East Percussion Ensemble
Directed by Tom Thorpe
11:00 am, WMB 116

The Lincoln East Percussion Class began in the spring of 2021.  This class not only learns the music to accompany all 3 concert bands at East but also focuses on technique studies, chamber groups, and large ensemble literature.

Tom Thorpe is currently in his 25th year of teaching, with the past eighteen being at Lincoln East. Mr. Thorpe has taught numerous music classes at East and currently teaches Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Class, Guitar, and History of Rock and Roll. While under his direction, the Lincoln East Wind Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2012 and 2016 Nebraska State Bandmaster’s Association Conferences in Lincoln. In 2014, Tom was elected to the NMEA Executive Board, serving as Chair of Band Activities. He has also served on the Executive Board of NSBA in the role of Concert Band Chair.Mr. Thorpe holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His professional affiliations include NSBA, NAfME, NMEA, Phi Beta Mu, LEA, and Kappa Kappa Psi.Mr. Thorpe is married to Amy, who is the District Music Coordinator for Lincoln Public Schools. They have 2 sons, Tommy (22) and Myles (19) and one mini-schnauzer, Lily.

UNL Jazz Singers
Directed by David von Kampen
11:00 am, WMB 130

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Jazz Singers is a small choir, open to all members of the University community by audition. Students are instructed in jazz style, ensemble singing, lyric delivery, solos, and improvisation. The ensemble performs arrangements of standard and contemporary jazz repertoire in collaboration with a rhythm section. Jazz Singers participates in various performances both on and off-campus each semester, including appearances at regional jazz festivals.

David von Kampen (b. 1986) is a composer from Lincoln, Nebraska. David’s creative work spans a wide variety of genres and styles, including jazz, choral music, hymnody and liturgy, solo voice, chamber music, and musical theater. David is a six-time Downbeat Award winner in graduate-level jazz writing categories, a three-time winner of the Vancouver Chamber Choir Young Composers Competition, and was named the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year for his song cycle "Under the Silver and Home Again." David has over 80 choral and instrumental compositions and arrangements published with Walton Music, Hal Leonard, Santa Barbara, Concordia Publishing House, and others. David is a lecturer of music theory and literature at the University of Nebraska, where he teaches a variety of music courses and directs the award-winning UNL Jazz Singers.

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THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Are you paying attention?...Supporting students with ADHD in ensemble classrooms and rehearsals
Presenter: Erik Elker
1:15 pm, WMB 009

As a lifelong ADHDer diagnosed within the last several years, I will share my perspective gained from reflecting on years of how the condition has affected my musical life. This session will include strategies that can help support some of the difficulties those with ADHD can face, emphasize the strengths of these neurodiverse thinkers, motivate these students to engage and connect with ensemble members and the director, and also benefit ALL students (and directors!) in the ensemble classroom. The ideas in this session are easily implemented into routines already established by directors. This session aims to add tools to the toolbox rather than replacing all of the tools. This session is all about addressing ways to engage with students in the ensemble. Strategies that support students with ADHD can benefit all music students and unite them through effective rehearsal management.

Dr. Eric Elker recently completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Band Conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a student of Dr. Carolyn Barber. He worked with several ensembles at UNL, including Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Campus Bands, Cornhusker Marching Band, and Big Red Express pep band. Prior to completing his doctorate, Elker spent seven years as a band director in Minnesota and Iowa. Elker is passionate about wind bands, conducting, percussion, and ADHD.

Ideas for a Successful Marching Band Camp on a Limited Budget
Presenter: Chris Harper
1:15 pm, WMB 019

Marching band directors often face the challenge of creating meaningful, high-quality band camp experiences with limited financial resources. This session explores practical strategies for designing a successful marching band camp that prioritizes student growth, musical achievement, and program sustainability, without relying on large budgets. Using real examples from the clinician’s 25-year career, this session shares practical approaches to budgeting, staffing, scheduling, uniforms, transportation, and community support. A central focus is the intentional development and empowerment of student leadership as a cost effective and impactful instructional tool. Attendees will gain realistic planning ideas for pre, during, and post-camp preparation, along with creative solutions for common logistical and financial constraints. Participants will leave with adaptable strategies they can immediately apply to build a positive, student-centered marching band camp experience regardless of program size or funding level.

Dr. Chris Harper, band director at McIntosh County Academy in Darien, Georgia, brings 25 years of music education experience. He holds degrees from Valdosta State University, Troy University, and Liberty University. Dr. Harper has expanded his expertise internationally, studying musician motivation under Dr. Dale Lonis and Dr. Fraser Linklater through the Canadian Wind Conductors Development Program. In 2011, his innovative approach to ensemble programming and music technology integration was featured in The Instrumentalist magazine. A sought-after presenter, Dr. Harper has delivered impactful sessions at music conferences nationwide, covering topics such as recruitment and retention in small/rural schools, practical interview preparation, and strategies for overcoming cognitive conflicts in the workplace. His engaging clinics have made a lasting impact on the music education community.

To "Do" or To "Daht": Jazz Articulation Mechanics For Brass And Saxophones
Presenters: Shawn Bell & Matthew Storie
1:15 pm, WMB 101

A unified approach to articulation is one of the defining elements of any successful ensemble. This is especially true in a Jazz setting where a wide variety of articulations are needed to authentically perform this style at a high level. In this session, attendees will explore both the stylistic and technical aspects of teaching articulation in a large Jazz ensemble setting.

Copresenters Shawn Bell and Dr. Matthew Storie will discuss approaches for teaching Jazz specific articulation to the full ensemble and will break down the technical and mechanical aspects of how to create these articulations on both brass and saxophones. Participants in this session will leave with a variety of methods to help their students not only know what articulations should be applied to a particular passage but also a better understanding of how to execute those choices.

Trombonist Shawn Bell has built a reputation as a versatile player and thoughtful pedagogue. While Jazz has been the driving force behind Bell’s training, his commitment to making music not bound by the doctrine of a single style or genre has given him a unique voice as a musician, composer, and educator. This eclectic taste can be found on full display in Shawn’s Prog influenced band Paper Canaries.In addition to his work as a performer, Shawn also maintains an active private teaching studio, works as a brass and Jazz clinician throughout the Midwest, and is the lead teaching artist for Omaha Performing Arts’s Jazz Academy program. Launched in 2018, this program’s mission is to improve the quality of Jazz education in the Omaha metro area by sponsoring in-school clinics, music educator workshops, and several honor ensembles for middle school Jazz students.

Equally at home as both a jazz and classical saxophonist, Matthew Storie is Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO). He is bandleader of Simply This Quintet, a collaborative ensemble that performs original compositions by members of the band. This ensemble released their second album entitled Stepping Up, in 2021. As a solo artist, Matthew released his debut album of original jazz compositions, Hwy 538, in 2022. As a classical saxophonist, Matthew is a member and co-founder of the Payadora Trio. This trio is dedicated to the performing and commissioning of works by underrepresented composers. They released their debut album, Payadora, in 2025. Matthew’s research interests focus on improving the instruction and accessibility of jazz for classical saxophonists. Matthew received a DMA and MM from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Jazz Performance and a BM in Saxophone Performance from Furman University.

Level Up Your Students' Music Theatre Song Interpretation
Presenter: Melissa Derechailo
1:15 pm, WMB 103

Music Directors know how to teach a song, but are you at a loss helping your students dramatically interpret a song? How to carry themselves? What to do with their hands? This session focuses on teaching students to interpret a Broadway song, using a student-centered model based on script analysis techniques. Students will discover the answers to these questions themselves through short analysis exercises, led by their instructor. Educators will be walked through this step-by-step process including character analysis, objectives, obstacles, and choosing action verbs. Materials to incorporate into lesson plans will be shared with participants.

For over twenty years Dr. Melissa Derechailo has worked for the music department at Wayne State College teaching horn, music history, music theatre history and music industry classes. In addition to teaching, she has also served as the theatre manager for Ley and Ramsey theaters. She has presented clinics at the Midwest College Music Society, IMEA, SDMEA, The Nebraska Speech, Communication and Theatre Association, and the Nebraska State Band masters conferences.In addition to her passion for music, she has pursued her passion for theatre by serving on the Wayne Community Theatre board, teaching summer theatre camps, directing, acting, and creating set and lighting design for area productions. Melissa further pursued her interest in theatre by earning an MFA in theatre education in 2023.

NSBA Reading Session
Presenter: Nebraska State Bandmasters Association
1:15 pm, WMB 116

The purpose of this session is to expose members to more high-quality literature for their beginning and middle-level bands. We will ask for NMEA/NSBA members to volunteer to play in the group and to choose 2-3 pieces to conduct. The idea is for participants to expose others to the pieces that have worked well with their bands and why.

What a Song Can Do: New 2-Part Choral Rep
Presenter: Andy Beck
1:15 pm, WMB 130

What can a song do? Build confidence, spark joy, and bring your singers together in powerful ways. In this sing-and-learn reading session, explore new 2-part choral repertoire designed especially for elementary (and emerging middle school) choirs. You’ll learn what makes this music effective for young voices, gather practical teaching tips, and explore creative ideas for bringing each piece to life in rehearsal and performance. Come ready to sing, reflect, and be inspired by the impact of a well-chosen song. A complimentary music packet will be provided.

Andy Beck received a bachelor's degree in music education from Ithaca College and a master's degree in music education from Northwest Missouri State University. Andy is currently the Director of Choral Publications at Alfred Music.

Creating Psychological Safety in Ensemble and Chamber Music Rehearsals
Presenters: Presenters: Sonja Kraus & Evie Chen
1:15 pm, WMB 131

Description

Sonja Kraus bio already given - go here to view.

Evie Chen is a dynamic and versatile violinist whose artistry spans both classical and contemporary repertoires. She has performed and given masterclasses across the United States, including engagements at Bay View Music Festival, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Cedar Valley Chamber Festival, and East Tennessee State University Chamber Music Festival. Her pedagogical philosophy emphasizes the importance of ergonomic techniques and individualized instruction.

Using MuseScore in an Ensemble Setting
Presenter: Damon Lamberty
1:15 pm, WMB 143

Have you ever just wanted your students to read the same music at the same time? Have you gotten lost in your own words on the podium as you try to describe what’s happening musically? This session will show educators how to use MuseScore in real time to make music more accessible to ensembles.

Damon Lamberty received his BA in Music Education from Doane University in 2017, and his MM in Instrumental Conducting from the University of South Dakota in 2019. He later began his career in public education in Casper, Wyoming in 2019. After serving as 5-12 instrumental instructor at Cambridge Public Schools, Lamberty joined Schoo Middle School in 2023 as the 6-8 band director. In 2024, Lamberty became the instrumental director at Lincoln Northeast High School.Lamberty has guest conducted instrumental ensembles throughout Nebraska, focusing on music in small ensembles in rural Nebraska districts. He has presented clinics on student teaching, taking over a new program, and finding your voice as a young educator. As an arranger, Lamberty writes wind and percussion book for marching bands, show choirs, and string orchestras.When not at school, Lamberty enjoys science fiction novels, video games, and cooking with his husband, Jon Marquez-Lamberty.

Entry Points: Popular Music in Elementary
Presenters: Cody Talarico & Jennifer Martinez
1:15 pm, WMB 153

Are you ready to bring popular music into your elementary music classroom but unsure how to start? This session provides practical entry points for popular music using the resources and instruments you already have. We will explore popular music through the Music Will Approach which emphasizes the roles of the student, teacher, and community. Discover how to arrange student-centered repertoire, facilitate creative musicianship (including jamming and lyric rewriting), and scaffold popular songs using familiar Orff, Kodály, and Dalcroze approaches. You will leave with actionable strategies to provide multiple means of engagement for your students while honoring your established teaching practices.

Cody Talarico is a musician, educator, and all-around arts fanatic who believes that music isn't just a subject—it's the bridge that connects us all. Before joining Music Will, Cody served as the Arts Education Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education, where he supported and led music, visual arts, media arts, dance, and theatre and a music teacher with the Bellevue (NE) Public Schools. His commitment to the field also extends nationally as the Vice President of SEADAE (State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education). A lifelong learner, Cody holds a Master of Music with an emphasis in Education and administrative endorsements from the University of Nebraska Omaha, alongside a Bachelor of Music from Hastings College (Hastings, NE). Deeply rooted in pedagogy, he is certified in Orff Schulwerk and has completed advanced training at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, George Mason University (Fairfax, VA), and St. Thomas University (St. Paul, MN). Whether he is presenting at conferences or reviewing grants for the National Endowment for the Arts, Cody's mission is simple: ensuring every student has the chance to learn through and express themselves with music and the arts. Cody lives in the Omaha, NE, area with his family, where he continues to perform professionally. For him, the greatest joy of this work is witnessing that spark when music and the arts bring a community together.

Jennifer Martinez is a former public school music educator with over 12 years of experience teaching in Kansas and Colorado. Her background includes vocal music, Kodaly-influenced pedagogy, and special music education, with a strong focus on inclusive, student-centered instruction that supports diverse learners. Jennifer is thrilled to be presenting in her home state of Nebraska. Deeply rooted in the state's music community, she completed her undergraduate studies at Hastings College and her student teaching with Omaha Public Schools. While her career eventually took her across state lines—where she earned her master's degree and spent over a decade teaching—those formative Nebraska experiences remain the foundation of her approach to leadership and professional learning. After years of attending the NMEA conference as a student and peer, she is honored to return as a first-time presenter and connect with the state's incredible music teachers. She currently serves as Manager of Teacher Experience at Music Will, where she supports music educators nationwide through professional learning and community-building initiatives. In this role, Jennifer manages Music Will's regional Teacher Ambassador program across the United States, provides day-to-day support for a network of more than 7,000 music educators, and leads the National Songwriting Exhibition—a national showcase of original music by K-12 students, educators, and higher education musicians. She lives in the Omaha, Nebraska area with her family and remains deeply connected to supporting teachers and students through creative, authentic music-making.

More Than "Sing After Me": Five Ways to Teach Songs in the General Music Classroom
Presenter: Nick Besse
1:15 pm, LC C

Teaching songs is a central part of the music classroom, but every student doesn’t learn songs the same way. This session explores five effective approaches to teaching songs, vocally or instrumentally, that support different learning styles and musical goals.

Participants will learn strategies that move beyond simple rote repetition and help students develop deeper musical understanding. Through demonstrations and classroom examples, participants will explore ways to teach songs through Rote, Call and Response, Movement, Games, and Storytelling. Each strategy will show how teachers can scaffold musical learning while keeping students actively engaged.

Participants will leave with practical techniques that can be immediately applied to help students learn songs more confidently while reinforcing musical concepts such as rhythm, pitch, form, and expression, no matter their age or ability.

Nicholas Besse is an elementary music teacher in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he teaches general music and directs choir and musical productions. He is passionate about helping students experience music through singing, movement, and creative play. This is his sixth year teaching General Music and has taught K-12 through his career. Nicholas enjoys collaborating with other music educators and sharing practical strategies that teachers can immediately use in their classrooms to make song teaching more engaging and effective.

Better Together: Practical Strategies for Conductor–Pianist Collaboration
Presenter: Jaime O'Neill
2:30 pm, WMB 009

Successful rehearsals depend on clear communication between conductor and pianist, yet many directors have never been taught how to build this partnership. Miscommunication can lead to mismatched entrances, unclear phrasing, tempo confusion, and inefficient rehearsal time. This session explores practical strategies for improving conductor–pianist collaboration in choral rehearsals. Drawing from experience as a collaborative pianist, church choir director, and DMA choral conducting student, the presenter demonstrates how conductors can shift from a hierarchical “conductor-as-authority” model to a more collaborative rehearsal approach.

Participants will explore strategies for clearer conducting gestures, shared tempo decisions, and empowering pianists as active musical partners rather than reactive accompanists. Through demonstrations and interactive exercises, attendees will learn how treating the conductor and pianist as a “micro-ensemble” improves rehearsal efficiency, musical communication, and ensemble confidence. These strategies apply to ensembles of all levels from middle/high school choirs to collegiate and community ensembles.

Jaime O'Neill is a choral conductor and music educator pursuing a DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He directs Big Red Singers, UNL's flagship show choir, emphasizing vocal power, musicality, and inspiring performances, and serves as Assistant Director of National Show Choir Camp. Jaime also assists with University Singers and the Varsity Men's Chorus and is Director of Music at Christ United Methodist Church in Lincoln, NE. His teaching and conducting experience span elementary through collegiate singers, and his primary research areas include pianist/conductor collaboration, efficient choral conducting pedagogy, and strategies for making show choir more accessible to all.

Introduction to Modern Band
Presenters: Cody Talarico & Jennifer Martinez
2:30 pm, WMB 019

This isn't your standard lecture. We’re exploring the Music Will Approach—a learner-led practice that prioritizes popular music. We will break down the "how-to" of teaching modern instruments and styles while providing you with the resources to engage your students. Whether you’re in P-12 or Higher Education, you’ll leave with actionable tools to create a classroom where every student sees themselves in the music they play.

Cody Talarico bio already given - go here to view. Jennifer Martinez bio already given - go here to view.

Studying to Find the Line: How Score Study Shows Us Where the Musical Line Goes
Presenter: Alex Wimmer
2:30 pm, WMB 101

Due to the demands of our busy and active jobs, we sometimes default to over conducting “all of the ink” on the score versus showing the musical line through more musical and intentional gestures. This session will explore perspectives to discovering musical line(s), through score study, with the intention of being more musical through gesture.

Dr. Alex Wimmer currently serves as the Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Kansas State University. He directs the Wind Ensemble and the Pride of Wildcat Land (KSUMB), instructs graduate courses, serves as the faculty sponsor for Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, and oversees the entire Kansas State University Band Program. Dr. Wimmer previously served as the Associate Director of Bands and the Assistant Director of Bands at Kansas State University where he directed the Wind Symphony, Cat Band (basketball pep band), Volleyball Band, was Associate/Assistant Director, arranger, and drill designer for the KSUMB, and instructed undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting, arranging, and marching band techniques. He also coordinated the K-State Summer Music Camp and K-State Leadership and Auxiliary Camp. Dr. Wimmer is currently the Past-President of the Kansas Bandmasters Association and co-chair of the New Band Director Bootcamp during the association’s annual convention.

Everything Plus the Kitchen Sink: Life In A Small School Music Program
Presenters: Anna Harveson & Elly Wolfe
2:30 pm, WMB 103

All about surviving—and loving—small school music programs. This session is designed for collegiate music education students preparing to begin their careers. The reality of teaching in a small school is often overlooked—many teachers are responsible for wearing multiple hats, from elementary music to secondary ensembles and everything in between. This session will help prepare future teachers for the realities of small school music jobs, including an elementary music survival guide for secondary majors, lessons we wish we knew before starting our careers, strategies for balancing multiple responsibilities, and practical tips for building a thriving program in a small-school setting. Participants will leave with realistic expectations, strategies, and encouragement to love teaching in a small school music program.

Ms. Anna Harveson is in her second year of teaching at Conestoga Public Schools. A recent graduate of Doane University with a degree in music education, Ms. Harveson brings enthusiasm and dedication to her multifaceted role. At Conestoga, she directs the high school and junior high bands, teaches guitar, 5th-6th grade general music, and beginning band, and serves as a director and choreographer for Conestoga Elementary's musical. Originally from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Ms. Harveson was inspired by many exceptional music educators to pursue a career in music education. She now resides in Plattsmouth and in her free time enjoys hanging with friends and her beloved pets, baking and traveling.

Mrs. Elly Wolfe is in her second year of teaching at Potter-Dix Public Schools in western Nebraska, where she serves as the K–12 music educator. In this role, she teaches elementary music along with beginning band, junior high band and choir, and high school band and choir, while managing all aspects of a small school music program. As a graduate of Doane University, Mrs. Wolfe is passionate about creating meaningful music experiences for students and building strong, sustainable music programs in rural communities. A native of western Nebraska, she values the opportunity to serve the region she calls home while balancing life as a teacher and mother of two (Hudson and Bentley) with the support of her husband, Austin.

NE-ASTA Reading Session
Presenter: Tom Miller, NE-ASTA Past President
2:30 pm, WMB 116

Join Nebraska ASTA and JWPepper for an action-packed string orchestra reading session with some of the best new and upcoming music for your schools.  Bring an instrument, a friend, and your sightreading skills.

Tom Miller holds music education degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (Undergraduate) and Morningside University (Graduate).  Having over 20 years of teaching experience, Tom has taught strings, show choir, theater, and art in both the Sioux City Community and Omaha Public Schools District.  He currently works at Boys Town as the middle school fine arts teacher.  He has been a recipient of the Nebraska ASTA Outstanding Teacher of the Year award and the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher award.  He currently serves as past-president for Nebraska ASTA, a sectional coach for the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras, and as Director of Alternative Programming and Director of Education for the Shelterbelt Theater.  In addition, he serves as an adjudicator/clinician for both the Nebraska and Iowa High School Music Associations.  As an active performer, he has directed, acted, produced, and played in the pit orchestras for over 200 musical and theater productions

Middle School Momentum: Music for Developing Voices
Presenter: Andy Beck
2:30 pm, WMB 130

Looking for choral music that will engage your middle school singers and is also pedagogically appropriate? This reading session highlights new repertoire designed specifically for developing and changing voices. Sing through new selections, explore strategies for choosing literature that fits your students right now, and find ways to balance fun with growth. You’ll leave with fresh programming ideas, practical teaching tips, and renewed confidence. A complimentary music packet will be provided.

Andy Beck bio already given - go here to view. 

5 S.M.A.R.T. Ideas to RETAIN This Year's Beginners: A Primer for Middle & High School Directors
Presenter: Marcia Neel
2:30 pm, WMB 131

While RECRUITMENT initiates program growth, it’s RETENTION that is the true foundation of a thriving music program. Research consistently shows that as many as 60% of beginners do not continue into year two—making intentional retention strategies at this crucial point essential for long-term program success.

Program growth therefore begins with retaining our youngest musicians. Using the S.M.A.R.T. framework—Success, Modeling, Activities, Reflection, and Trust—this session explores practical, student-centered strategies that result in beginners remaining engaged, motivated, and connected during one of their most vulnerable years in the program. 

Shared by directors for directors, attendees will explore replicable activities that accelerate musical development while fostering a culture in which students, parents, and administrators feel valued and invested in the program’s viability.

Attendees will leave this on-target session with new, easy-to-replicate ideas that will immediately strengthen beginner retention and lay the groundwork for long-term program growth.

Marcia Neel bio already given - go here to view.

Sight-Reading in the Choral Classroom: Strategies to incorporate daily and effective sight-reading techniques and methods in the choral rehearsal
Presenter: Richard Carrillo
2:30 pm, WMB 143

With so much pressure on producing quality performances, how does one find the time to incorporate music literacy and sight singing skills into an already packed rehearsal? In this session, Dr. Carrillo will provide tools to help the busy music educator find ways to incorporate daily and effective sight-reading techniques and methods into their choral classroom. Special emphasis will be given on short game-like pre-sightreading activities that will not only keep students engaged but will provide the necessary tools to be successful at eventually reading notes on the page. An explora3on at various sight-reading resources will also be included, including options for single line sight reading exercises as well examples for SATB/TTB/SSA ensembles.

Dr. Richard Carrillo is Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Nebraska Omaha, where he conducts choirs, teaches undergraduate conducting, graduate courses in choral literature, and private graduate conducting lessons. Prior to his colligate teaching, Dr. Carrillo spent nearly 10 years teaching middle and high school choir, where his Providence Academy Chamber Choir were invited to perform at the 2016 Minnesota MEA Convention and the 2018 Midwestern ACDA Convention. Also an avid church musician, Dr. Carrillo has performed in some of the nation’s top Cathedrals and recently made his international conducting debut conducting Frank La Rocca’s Mass of the Americas at Mexico City’s Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2026. Dr. Carrillo holds degrees from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music (DMA in Choral Conducting), Missouri State University (MM in Choral Conducting) and the University of Houston (BM in Music Education).

The Blueprint for Strengthening Music Teacher Education and the impact on the Collegiate Teaching Candidate
Presenter: Cecil Adderly
2:30 pm, WMB 153

Creating a dialogue, partnership, and open conversations between your local PK12 schools, higher education institutions, and community stakeholders.

Cecil Adderley, Ph.D., Chair of Berklee’s Music Education Department, has more than 38 years of teaching experience at the junior/senior high school (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools), and college levels. He has performed professionally in the Charlotte Community Band (NC) as a clarinetist, and the Asheville Symphony Orchestra (NC) as a violinist. He has served as a US Congressional Intern on Capitol Hill, Chair of the Northborough School Committee, member of the Northborough Cultural Council, New Jersey Music Educators Association as the Higher Education Representative, as an adjudicator for Drum Corps International (DCI), and Past-President to the Massachusetts Music Educators Association. Dr. Adderley has written and published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Choral Journal, Contributions to Music Education, Journal of Band Research, Southeastern Journal of Music Education, and Strategies for Teaching: Technology. He is also one of the contributing authors of Musical Experience in Our Lives: Expanding the Boundaries of Music Education, Chapter 13, Music in Motion: An Overture to the Student Experience in the Outdoor Music Ensemble. Dr. Adderley holds a B.S. from Western Carolina University, an M.M. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. In addition, he has served on the NAfME (National Association for Music Education) Equity Committee, NAfME Music Teacher Profession Advisory Committee, ISME (International Society for Music Education) Advocacy Committee, and currently as the President of NAfME (National Association for Music Education).

Sing, Move, Play: Building a Musical Foundation for Little Learners
Presenter: Stacy Werner
2:30 pm, LC C

Early music experiences play a vital role in young learners’ development, helping them build foundational skills in rhythm, melody, and movement. In this session, you’ll explore engaging, hands-on activities that incorporate singing, movement, and instrument play to build a strong musical foundation. Building vocal confidence starts early—this session will share effective strategies to help young students find and use their singing voices, along with ways to introduce instruments that support steady beat and rhythm skills. Movement songs will be shared to support literacy development and reinforce letter sounds.

Throughout the session, you’ll gain extension ideas that offer creative opportunities for student music-making, along with practical classroom management tips to keep lessons smooth, focused, and fun. Walk away with ready-to-use ideas that make music meaningful, playful, and developmentally appropriate for your youngest learners. 

Stacy Werner bio already given - go here to view.

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THURSDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT HOUR

Beveridge Middle School Concert Choir
Directed by Kaitlin Lusk
4:00 pm, StP

The Beveridge Concert Choir is made up of 7th and 8th grade students who have had at least one year in choir. These students work on various repertoire as well as learning sight reading techniques and theory concepts. Students are selected for their ability to sing with proper technique, read music, and rehearse with professionalism.

Kaitlin Lusk has been teaching vocal music for 18 years. She has taught in Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, and Nebraska. She has taught students in preschool all the way up to 9th grade. Her accomplishments include recording 1 ratings in sight reading and performance and sending several students to different honor choirs. Kaitlin has been at Beveridge for three years and the program continues to grow under her leadership.

University of South Dakota Symphonic Band
Directed by Bethany Amundson
4:15 pm, LC Stage

The Symphonic Band is the premier wind band at the University of South Dakota. The ensemble is composed of the university’s finest wind and percussion musicians selected through audition from the entire student body.  Its members include graduate and undergraduate students, music majors, and talented non-music majors. The Symphonic Band’s repertoire includes music from all historical periods and consists of a wide variety of styles and a diverse spectrum of composers. In addition to touring annually, the Symphonic Band presents formal concerts on campus each semester.

Dr. Bethany Amundson is the Director of Symphonic Bands at the University of South Dakota. Her responsibilities include serving as conductor for the Symphonic Band and Concert Band and teaching trumpet studio and courses in conducting, brass pedagogy, and music education. In addition to her teaching duties, Dr. Amundson is currently the Director of the university’s annual Band Directors Institute and the Assistant Director of the USD Summer Music Camp.  Dr. Amundson received her Doctorate in Musical Arts in Wind Conducting from the University of Kansas, where she studied with Dr. Paul Popiel.  She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Augustana University; a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance and a Master of Music in Conducting, both from the University of South Dakota.

Omaha Central High School A Cappella Choir
Directed by Sara Cowan
4:30 pm, StP

The Central High School A Cappella Choir was formed in 1931 and is comprised of juniors and seniors, with a few select sophomore tenors and basses. The A Cappella Choir performs at least once each quarter and performs annually in the CHS variety show, the Road Show, and District Music Contest, where they have consistently received superior ratings. The ensemble has performed many times with the Omaha Symphony and has collaborated with choirs at Nebraska Wesleyan University, the University of Iowa, Morningside University, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and in 2024 collaborated with Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble. A Cappella has performed at many conferences and festivals, including the NMEA Conference/Clinic several times, at the Nebraska Capitol for NMEA’s Music in Our Schools Month series, and as a featured choir at the North Central ACDA Divisional Convention in 2004.

Sara Cowan is in her fourteenth year at Central High School. Ms. Cowan was named the NCDA Outstanding Young Choral Director in 2016, the Central High School Teacher of the Year in 2021, and earned a Music Teacher of Excellence Award from the Country Music Awards Foundation in 2022. She currently serves as Treasurer for Nebraska Choral Directors’ Association and previously served as Treble Choirs R&R Chair (2014–2019). She also served on the Nebraska Music Education Association Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Committee (2020–2023). A frequent clinician, adjudicator, and presenter, choirs under her direction have performed at NMEA and MMEA (Minnesota) conferences. She holds a BA in Music from Grinnell College and a MM in Choral Conducting from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband Brian are both proud alumni of Central High School and loving parents to Miriam and Clara.

Hastings Middle School 7th/8th Grade Orchestra
Directed by David Bernard-Stevens
4:30 pm, KRH

The Hastings Middle School 7th/8th Grade Orchestra has performed together on school tours, concerts, and NE-ASTA events for many years. The ensemble has consistently earned highly superior ratings from the NE-ASTA Young Orchestra Festival. All students interested in strings at HMS are welcome to sign up for orchestra. By 7th and 8th grade, it is recommended that students take lessons before joining the ensemble, but there are almost always beginners alongside students who have played for several years. All students in good standing with schoolwork and in class participation are welcome to perform on tour and for special events.

David Bernard-Stevens grew up in North Platte, NE where he began his involvement in the orchestra program under Mrs. Ruth Lauer and Mr. Wayne Mueller. He received private violin instruction from Mrs. Kay Toillion and participated from grades 5-12. He earned his BME from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studying violin with Mr. David Neely and conducting and composition with Dr. Tyler White. He earned his MM from Kansas State University. His first teaching position was in Junction City, KS, building the program for 11 years. In Hastings, NE since 2018, he has worked to continue the traditions of the Hastings Orchestra programs, with Middle and High School ensembles earning Superior and Highly Superior ratings at various festivals, and a number of students participating in various honor orchestras, including NMEA All-State. He served as the NC-KSMEA Orchestra Chair, and is the next President-Elect of NE-ASTA.

*Spotlight Series*
Chambers Coyote Band
Directed by Taylor Stech
4:30 pm, WMB 116

The Coyote Band is composed of 7th-12th grade students. As students in a small school, they are all involved in several activities and are accustomed to rehearsing with missing personnel. Composed of primarily junior high students, the ensemble has put in a considerable amount of work to be performance ready for their many events. Our high school students are invaluable as leaders and examples to the younger students. The group frequently performs music written for flexible instrumentation to fit our small student population. The group performed in 5 parades and 2 concerts this past fall, receiving superior ratings. The group has recently traveled to Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Branson. The Coyote Band has a proud history, receiving many awards during the tenure of Mr. Duane DeVries. The band is currently under the direction of Mrs. Taylor Stech, who is in her 5th year as the K-12 music instructor at Chambers.

Bennington South Marimba Ensemble 1
Directed by Angie Nabower
4:30 pm, WMB 130

Marimba Ensemble 1 is the varsity, or top, Zimbabwean-style marimba ensemble at Bennington South Middle School and one of two such ensembles at the school. Now in its fourth year, this auditioned group is made up of students in grades six through eight and rehearses once a week before school. The ensemble performs a wide range of music, from traditional African melodies to contemporary pop songs. Members are highly involved in the school community, with each student participating in two or more additional activities at Bennington South.

Mrs. Angie Nabower is in her twelfth year at Bennington Public Schools, where she teaches middle school general music. Originally from Lincoln, she is a graduate of Lincoln High School and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is a member of the Nebraska Music Educators Association and holds certifications in World Music Drumming and Hot Marimba. In addition to directing the school’s marimba ensembles, she teaches ukulele, guitar, world music drumming, and digital music production as part of her general music curriculum. Mrs. Nabower lives in Bennington with her husband and two sons.

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AWARDS DINNER

The annual Awards Dinner will take place on Thursday, November 19 at the Cornhusker Hotel Atrium and Grand Ballroom. Social hour will take place at 5:15 pm, with live music. The dinner will begin at 6:00 pm.

Advance ticket purchase is required to attend the Awards Dinner. Tickets are now available for purchase. The Early Bird Awards Dinner ticket price is $40. Starting November 1, the Awards Dinner ticket price increases to $50. Ticket sales will open on September 1.

Purchase an Awards Dinner Ticket

Meal choices for the 2026 Awards Dinner are:

• Canjun Mustard Pork Loin*
• Lemon Salmon
• Curried Garbanzo Beans (vegetarian)

*Any tickets not purchased in advance will be the default meal of pork loin.

Collegiate Members' tickets are included with their conference registration.

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Friday, November 20

FRIDAY SESSIONS

Get to the 'Good Stuff' Faster: Beyond Rhythms and Pitches
Presenter: Mike Olander
8:00 am, WMB 009

Imagine band and orchestra students walking into rehearsal prepared with the basics of rhythms and pitches. This session will focus on the tools and processes to help your students build skills and foundational knowledge. Through guided practice sessions with authentic assessment and feedback, they will succeed and become better musicians faster. We’ll show five software tools from MusicFirst (Sight Reading Factory, MusicFirst Recorder, PracticeFirst, Musition and Auralia) that are simple for you and your students – so that you can rehearse more than the basics sooner.

Mike Olander, as an Education Manager with MusicFirst, advocates for music programs byencouraging the adoption of technology solutions designed to save time, simplify tasks, anddrive student engagement and growth. He has worked for MusicFirst, Wenger Corporation,MakeMusic, Music Prodigy, JAMF Software, and Edmentum leading teacher workshops andtraining, staff development sessions, and serving as a consultant for schools across thecountry.

Lights On: Stage Lighting Basics Every Music Teacher Should Know (But Probably Didn't Learn in College)
Presenter: Christian Yost
8:00 am, WMB 019

Stage lighting can transform a concert, musical, or show choir performance—but figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. This session provides an approachable introduction to modern stage lighting designed specifically for music educators.

Participants will gain a basic understanding of LED lighting fixtures, where to start when choosing equipment, what specifications actually matter, and how modern lighting systems are controlled. We’ll also cover practical considerations like power usage, basic DMX control, and how to avoid the classic moment when you flip everything on and nothing happens.

This session is designed to make lighting feel less intimidating and a lot more achievable. Educators will leave with practical knowledge, a few laughs, and the confidence to begin improving the visual impact of their concerts, musicals, and show choir productions.

Christian, originally from Omaha and a graduate of Wichita State, is the Director of Vocal Music and Musical Theatre at Hastings High School. He has been seen in productions both locally and around the world, playing theaters from Broadway to London. Christian has produced work for Disney, NBC, Hallmark, the Atlantis Resort, and has designed and consulted with multiple Broadway shows, most recently being the national tour of Disney’s Aladdin. While he cherishes his creative accomplishments, Christian is most thrilled to have found a calling in education, preparing the next generation of performers. Yost’s groups have been featured at NMEA Conferences, received multiple show choir grand championships, have been consistently awarded Nebraska’s Outstanding Music Theatre Production, and have strived to pave the way for unified music in the classroom. He believes all students, regardless of their background, have big dreams worth pursuing, recognizing their potential to challenge the status quo.

Supporting New and Early Career Music Teachers an opportunity to learn, listen to each other, as well as connect in relation to the work of the MTPAC
Presenter: Cecil Adderly
8:00 am, WMB 101

This session provides information as to how the MTPAC's working groups have been working to address the needs of new and early career teachers, reflecting on their preparation, and how we can work together to provide the necessary resources for their success. Let’s engage in a discussion to shape how these educators can be provided with the professional support they need and want.

Cecil Adderly bio already given - go here to view. 

Show the Music in Conducting
Presenter: Chun-Ming Chen
8:00 am, WMB 103

As music educators and conductors, we are often told that we must convey the music through our conducting gestures. But How? In the session, we will discuss what it means by showing the music with our gestures. We will also examine musical examples and identify suitable gestures for different musical characters.

Taiwanese conductor and educator Dr. Chun-Ming Chen is currently the Director of Orchestral Activities/Assistant Professor at the University of South Dakota. Additionally, he is the cover conductor of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. Chen's conducting experience bridges the professional and academic worlds. Over his career, he has worked with orchestras ranging from secondary school orchestras to college orchestras and from youth orchestras to professional orchestras. He has performed with musicians such as the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble New York Voices, pianists Andre Watts and Ching-Yun Hu, and violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Musicians credited Chen's rehearsal as highly efficient and the audience often described his performance as extremely passionate.Previously, Chen has served as Director of Orchestral Activities at the University of Evansville Music Conservatory, Conductor of the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Music Director of the Heartland Symphony Orchestra in Little Falls, MN, and Interim Conductor of the Grinnell Symphony Orchestra in Grinnell, IA and Coe College Symphony Orchestra in Cedar Rapids, IA. He has appeared as a guest conductor with the Hsinchu Philharmonic Orchestra, Miaoli Wind Ensemble in Taiwan, Indiana ASTA All-Region Honor Orchestra, and South Dakota J. Laiten Weed Honors Orchestra.Dr. Chen has received his bachelor's degree in saxophone performance from Tunghai University, master's degrees in orchestral conducting from Boston Conservatory and Ithaca College, and a doctorate in orchestral conducting from the University of Iowa. His primary teachers include Dr. Annie Chung, Bruce Hangen, Dr. Jeffery Meyer, and Dr. William LaRue Jones.

Get Up Get at 'Em! Songs to Wake Up the Voice, Body, and Mind
Presenter: John Jacobson
8:00 am, WMB 116

Kickstart your elementary music classes with energy, laughter, and movement in Get Up, Get At ’Em! This high-octane session is packed with dynamic warm-ups and engaging songs designed to shake out the wiggles and spark musical joy from the very first minute. Featuring infectious jump songs, familiar favorites inspired by pop culture and film, and creative movement-based activities, participants will discover practical strategies to awaken young voices, stretch little bodies, and focus busy minds. These ready-to-use ideas transform transitions into teaching moments and set the tone for productive, joyful music-making. Come ready to move, sing, and laugh as you build a toolkit for turning chaos into creativity and launching a vibrant musical day.

John Jacobson is an internationally recognized composer, author, and master educator whose musicals and choral works have reached millions of children worldwide. For over four decades, he has inspired teachers and students through creative artistry, dynamic presentations, and a lifelong commitment to exceptional music education. A celebrated leader in the field, John has written and produced hundreds of resources, including musicals, choral collections, movement materials, videos, and professional development tools used in thousands of classrooms globally. His work has earned widespread acclaim and partnerships with major publishers, arts organizations, and Walt Disney Productions, and has been featured at national events such as NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. John is widely known as a "teacher's teacher" praised for energetic, practical workshops that reignite joy and purpose. He is founder of the nonprofit America Sings! Today, he serves as President and Creative Content Designer of JJ & Me, Inc., partnering with Musicplay.

IT’S ABOUT TIME!
Presenter: Tim Lautzenheiser
8:00 am, WMB 130

The focus of this presentation is a bit of a wake-up call about the most precious COMMON DENOMINATOR that evens-the-playing-field of the music education profession: TIME!  While much is to be said for skills and talents, it still comes back to the application of said-goals.  When we are cognizant of the value of TIME and how it plays into the forward progress of a program’s growth, we become far more careful in the assignment and use of the 24 hours we have in each day and how to make the most of the allotted TIME.

Tim Lautzenheiser is a well-known name in the music education world as a teacher, clinician, author, composer, consultant, adjudicator, and, above all, a trusted friend to anyone interested in working with young people in developing a desire for excellence. Dr. Lautzenheiser has been a part of the Bands of America family for over 25 years. He served as Executive Director in 1980-82 and has since worked directly with tens of thousands of Bands of America students and directors in leadership and motivational training. His career involves ten years of successful college band directing at Northern Michigan University, the University of Missouri, and New Mexico State University. During this time Tim developed highly acclaimed groups in all areas of the instrumental and vocal field. Following his three years with Bands of America, he created Attitude Concepts for Today, an organization designed to manage the many requests for workshops, seminars, and convention speaking engagements focusing on the area of positive attitude and effective leadership training. He presently holds the Earl Dunn Distinguished Lecturer position at Ball State University. Tim also is the Director of Education for Conn-Selmer, and he serves as the national spokesperson for NAfME’s “Make A Difference with Music” program.

Reimagining Choral Ensemble Structures: Preparing Future Music Educators for Inclusive Participation
Presenter: Marci Malone DeAmbrose
8:00 am, WMB 131

Choral music education has traditionally organized singers into gendered voice classifications (soprano/alto for women, tenor/bass for men). While often treated as neutral, these structures function as cultural norms shaping students' belonging, musical identity, and access to participation. Recent scholarship calls for more inclusive ensemble models reflecting today's diverse singers, aligning with NAfME's Blueprint for Strengthening the Music Teacher Profession.

This session examines how traditional ensemble structures influence preservice teacher identity and pedagogy, drawing on experiences from a collegiate soprano–alto choir that includes cisgender male music education students. Their participation outside typical voice-part expectations challenges assumptions about vocal identity, legitimacy, and ensemble culture—offering a lens for rethinking inclusive practice in teacher preparation.

Rather than presenting research alone, this session invites participants to critically examine ensemble traditions in their own programs. Through discussion, case examples, and collaborative reflection, attendees will explore strategies for equitable, vocally healthy ensemble environments.

Dr. Marci Malone DeAmbrose has over two decades of experience in music education spanning elementary, secondary, and postsecondary settings. Her scholarship centers on inclusive choral ensembles, gendered ensemble structures, and voice pedagogy within teacher preparation. An active international scholar, Dr. DeAmbrose has presented her research at prominent national and international conferences and serves in multiple leadership roles within the International Society for Music Education (ISME), including MISTEC Commissioner and Commissioner Chair-Elect. She is also an organizer of the MISTEC Pre-Conference Seminar, a named editor of the conference proceedings, and a peer reviewer for international research submissions. Through her combined work in research, editorial leadership, and global governance, Dr. DeAmbrose contributes to shaping international dialogue in music education while expanding institutional visibility and advancing inclusive, research-informed practices that support authentic music-making for all learners.

Women Band Director's International (WBDI) Round Table
Presenter: Lindsey Bogatz
8:00 am, WMB 143

It is an ongoing challenge in our lives as band directors to balance our jobs and the rest of our lives. We also crave connection and collaboration, but this is hard to achieve when we are so busy. It is our intention to create some connection in this session by allowing attendees to submit comments through a platform (TBD) while we speak, and also provide time for some small group discussions.

Lindsey Bogatz is a musician and teacher working in the Omaha area. She currently is the Assistant Director of Bands at Westside High School. Lindsey has ten years of experience teaching in the public and private schools, and she has also taught numerous private students and served as an adjudicator and clinician throughout her professional years. Recently she was elected as President-Elect for the newly instated chapter of Women Band Directors International in Nebraska. Lindsey is the music director for her hometown Beatrice Community Band during the summer and just recently began work as an assistant conductor of the Papillion Area Concert Band (PAC Band). Lindsey went to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for her Bachelor in Music Education, during which time she participated in a number of music ensembles and was drum major for the Cornhusker Marching Band. She went to University of Nebraska at Omaha for her Masters of Music with an emphasis in wind band conducting, where she served as a band teaching assistant. Lindsey has been married to fellow music teacher Doug Bogatz since 2011 and they live in Bennington with their son Gordon (born 2018), daughter Dorothy (born 2022), and cats Penny and Boots. In her very small amount of free time, Lindsey enjoys walking, reading, writing fanfiction, cooking, watching TV, and adding to her book of quotes.

A First Look at Nebraska's New Music Standards
Presenters: Cody Talarico & Rachel Stevens
8:00 am, WMB 153

The roadmap for Nebraska music education is evolving. Join Rachel Stevens and Cody Talarico for a collaborative discussion on the new 2026 Nebraska College and Career Ready Standards for Music Education. We’ll go beyond the "what" to explore the "how" of these standards—specifically how they empower student musicianship through a revamped structure and provide greater clarity, while still allowing for local insights and creativity with the new grade bands of K-1, 2-3, 4-5, MS, HS. We will examine the instructional shift of moving the Connect process to the first artistic process and discuss how the new Creative Attribution Standard is a tool for ethical artistry in a digital age. This is more than a presentation; it is a community conversation designed to look at these standards together and discuss how their alignment across all arts disciplines will benefit Nebraska students with Cody, who facilitated the revision of the arts standards through January 2026, and Rachel who served as the team lead for music team during the revision.

Cody Talarico bio already given - go here to view.

Rachel Stevens is an Assistant Principal for Papillion LaVista Community Schools while previously having taught K-6 music for 19 years. She has completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk and one level of Kodaly. Rachel has been president of her local Orff chapter and serves on both her school and district leadership teams. In her free time, Rachel loves spending time with her husband, Blake, and two daughters, Alivia and Sophia.

Why Good Music Teachers in Rural Areas Quit — and What Actually Keeps Them
Presenter: Chris Harper
8:00 am, LC C

Rural school districts face persistent challenges in retaining music educators. Limited staffing, geographic isolation, expanded role expectations, and constant comparison to larger programs place early-career teachers at heightened risk for burnout and attrition. Despite strong preparation and commitment, many rural music educators leave the profession within their first five years—not due to lack of ability, but because of unsustainable professional conditions.

This session examines the teacher retention crisis in rural music programs, focusing on the structural and internal pressures that drive capable educators out of the classroom. Drawing on twenty-five years of experience rebuilding and sustaining rural programs, the clinician explores how work overload, limited resources, minimal funding, and chronic fatigue uniquely impact rural teachers, who often serve as instructor, recruiter, event coordinator, and community figurehead.

Participants will examine why common solutions often worsen burnout and will explore sustainable, rural-specific strategies that promote professional longevity without lowering expectations or instructional quality.

Chris Harper bio already given - go here to view. 

Trauma-Informed Practices for the String Classroom
Presenter: Nicole Melrose
9:15 am, WMB 009

Students with trauma are often missed, underestimated, or labeled incapable or disinterested in learning. By adopting a trauma-informed lens, educators can learn how to be intentionally inclusive of students who are most in need of community and safety. Particularly in schools that are under-resourced, the inclusion of students with trauma can result in powerful and thriving programs that are rooted in the long-term well-being of all students. Educators will leave the workshops with practical tools and adaptive strategies to implement in the classroom that will empower both the student and teacher.

Nicole Melrose is the Founder and CEO of StringRise and serves as the Education Outreach Coordinator and Clinician for D'Addario. A first-generationLebanese-American educator, clinician, speaker, and consultant, Nicole specializes in trauma, performance anxiety, the neuroscience of learning, andbeginning-string pedagogy. Her work began by building programs from the ground up for historically underserved students through the Ubuntu Music Project in East Dallas. With a deep belief in the transformative power of music, she created access where there was none-developing inclusive,regulation-centered programs that changed students' life trajectories. StringRise is the extension of that vision, now focused on creating impactful and equity-driven string programs nationwide. Nicole's approach integrates polyvagal theory and nervous system science into everyday classroom practice, equipping teachers to understand the neural and somatic layers of student learning. She is particularly known for her work in Title I schools, where she develops targeted programming that leverages sound production as a powerful tool for regulation and connection. Nicole continues to shape the national dialogue around music education, equity, and the power of sound.

Finding Your Groove: Thriving as a New Music Educator
Presenters: Tim Farrell, Brian Alber, & DeVere Larington
9:15 am, WMB 019

Beginning a teaching career can be both exciting and overwhelming. New educators often enter the profession with strong musical and pedagogical training but may feel unprepared for the practical challenges of securing and starting their first teaching position. This presentation is designed for undergraduate music education majors, student teachers, and early-career educators preparing to enter the job market or in their first years of teaching.

The session will explore important considerations when searching for and accepting a teaching position, including evaluating school culture, understanding job expectations, and identifying factors that contribute to long-term professional satisfaction. Practical advice will be offered on common challenges faced by first-year teachers, such as time management, establishing classroom routines, communicating with administrators and parents, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Drawing on personal experience and observations from mentoring student teachers and early-career educators, this presentation will highlight common pitfalls new teachers encounter and provide strategies to help them succeed in their first years in the profession. Participants will leave with practical tools, reflective questions to guide their job search, and strategies for navigating the transition from student to professional educator.

	Dr. Tim Farrell is a Professor of Music at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Dr. Farrell teaches applied trumpet, horn, improvisation, and music education courses and directs the Jazz Rock Ensemble. Dr. Farrell also taught jazz and brass at the University of South Dakota and Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. At FLC, he was the Director of Jazz Studies. Dr. Farrell started the Fort Lewis College Jazz Festival in 2000, which brought some of the world’s greatest jazz performers and educators to campus to perform with the Fort Lewis College Jazz Ensemble. Dr. Farrell's jazz ensembles have received superior ratings at the Reno, Greeley, Eau Claire, and University of Kansas Jazz Festivals. Dr. Farrell is a Yamaha Performing Artist on trumpet and has performed with many talented artists. Tim published a method book, Sound Artistry: Intermediate Method for Trumpet, with Alfred Music in 2023, and can be seen on the Sound Innovations trumpet DVD, also published by Alfred Music in 2010. Dr. Farrell received his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Oregon, his Master of Music from Northwestern University, and his Bachelor of Musical Arts from Pacific Lutheran University.
	Dr. Brian Alber is an Associate Professor of Music and serves as the Graduate Chair for the Masters of Arts in Education program at UNK. Serving as the Assistant Director of Bands, he co-directs the "Pride of the Plains" Marching Band and directs the Symphonic Band. Along with his conducting responsibilities, Dr. Alber teaches undergraduate courses in Secondary Instrumental Music Methods, Marching Band Methods, and instrumental conducting. Within the graduate music program, Dr. Alber teaches Foundations in Music Education, Introduction to Music Research, and also serves on various capstone committees. An alumnus of UNK, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education, Dr. Alber has also completed a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a Doctor of Arts degree in Wind Band Conducting at the University of Northern Colorado. His teaching experience includes serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at both UNL and UNC, and teaching high school band for seven years at York, Aurora, Holdrege, and Plattsmouth high schools.
	DeVere Larington began his teaching career in 2022 and has since served as Director of Bands at Cozad Community Schools. In this role, he oversees the Haymaker Marching Band and Concert Band, Jazz Band, middle school bands, and the 5th grade beginning band. He also teaches music theory to upperclassmen and serves as sponsor of the Cozad Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter. DeVere earned a Bachelor of Music Education (K-12) from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2022. Currently, DeVere is pursuing a Master of Music degree from Kansas State University. In 2023, he restarted the 7th/8th grade marching band program after it had been dormant for nearly 15 years. He is an active member of the Nebraska Music Educators Association and the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association and was honored as a 2025 recipient of the Jack R. Snider Young Band Director Award. DeVere is passionate about helping students grow into well-rounded individuals and contributing members of society through music education, emphasizing leadership, discipline, critical thinking, collaboration, and personal growth through the performing arts. Outside of teaching, he enjoys performing in community bands during the summer, playing the organ for services at his local church, golfing when time allows, and water skiing at Lake McConaughy.

Back to the Bass-ics: Building Strong Foundations for Young Bassists
Presenter: Kelly Coslet
9:15 am, WMB 101

Teaching beginning and developing double bass students presents unique challenges for string educators, especially for directors whose primary instrument is not bass. This session provides practical, accessible strategies for establishing healthy technique and strong musical foundations in young bassists. Topics include posture and instrument setup, left-hand form, pizzicato and arco technique, shifting, thumb position, and common technical tendencies among students transitioning from other instruments.

Participants will gain hands-on pedagogical tools, preparatory exercises, and rehearsal strategies designed to improve student comfort, tone production, intonation, and long-term technical success. The session will also compare Simandl and Rabbath approaches, discuss beginner-to-intermediate repertoire resources, and provide practical solutions for common classroom challenges faced by school orchestra directors.

This presentation is designed for orchestra and band directors, string teachers, private instructors, and music educators seeking effective, student-friendly approaches to double bass instruction.

Kelly Coslet is an adjunct double bass professor at the University of South Dakota and adjunct strings professor at Wayne State College. She holds master’s degrees in orchestral conducting and double bass performance from the University of South Dakota. Her teaching focuses on accessible, healthy technique development and practical pedagogy for young bassists in both classroom and studio settings.

Why We Need Band: How Ink, Craft, and Feeling Creates Belonging
Presenter: Alex Wimmer
9:15 am, WMB 103

We all know that our classrooms are places where music and belonging are created. However, do we know “why” this happens and why “we” need it? This session will explore perspectives to “why we” need music to create belonging through exploring the ink on the page, the craft we teach, and the feelings we create.

Alex Wimmer bio already given - go here to view.

It's a Musical World: Travel the World through Song
Presenter: John Jacobson
9:15 am, WMB 116

Explore the music, movement, and cultural traditions of countries from around the globe in this high-energy, interactive workshop. John Jacobson leads a dynamic, “feets-on” experience where participants actively sing, move, and play their way through authentic songs, dances, and games from diverse world cultures. From folk dances and line dances to classroom circle games and partner activities, this session demonstrates practical strategies for bringing global music traditions into any elementary or middle school classroom. Participants will gain ready-to-use repertoire, culturally responsive teaching ideas, and movement-based learning strategies that foster musical skills, global awareness, and joyful community-building. Travel the world with your students—no passport required—and discover how world music can energize and enrich your curriculum at any grade level.

John Jacobson bio already given - go here to view.

Building a Culture of Excellence
Presenter: Tim Lautzenheiser
9:15 am, WMB 130

High-quality music programs across the nation have one commonality—students reside in a CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE. From the environment to the attention to musical detail, excellence is the filter of everything. Fueled by quality content and masterful context, it is the ongoing planting, nurturing, and harvesting of trust relationships with a constant focus on the why. One person makes a difference, and you are the one person!

Tim Lautzenheiser bio already given - go here to view.

The Uncluttered Director: Sparking Joy in Your Classroom Teaching Using Tidying Principles
Presenter: Jacob Wallace
9:15 am, WMB 131

This session endeavors to empower educators to take charge of their teaching spaces (both physical spaces and emotional/mental states) through processes of “decluttering.” Drawing, in part, on the acclaimed KonMari method of organization, the session will demonstrate a sequential method of approaching tidying, with structural categories that allow for individual educators to tackle the challenge of reinventing their spaces at an approachable, self-guided pace. Bridging beyond merely the physical spaces we use as teachers on a day-to-day basis, the session will also approach emotional and mental wellbeing by offering strategies that include centering exercises, prioritization of tasks based on categories, and evaluation of what each educator’s true core values are. The hope is that all who attend depart with techniques that allow them to be confident, happy, and far removed from the ever-present threat of career burnout.

Dr. Jacob Wallace has been on the faculty of South Dakota State University since 2015, where he serves as Professor of Music and Director of Concert Bands. He conducts and supervises instrumental ensembles; teaches coursework in conducting, literature, and education; and administrates the wind ensemble activities of the School of Performing Arts as a whole. Under his direction, the SDSU Wind Symphony has received numerous accolades and invitations to perform at conferences and in concert halls across the United States. His research has been presented at The Midwest Clinic, College Band Directors National Association conferences, and several state professional development conferences.Dr. Wallace holds degrees from The University of Georgia, Baylor University, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is active as an adjudicator, conductor, and clinician throughout the United States. Occasionally, he posts band selfies on Instagram using the handle @jwconductor.

Life Askew: a different angle on work/life balance
Presenters: Doug Bush & Judy Bush
9:15 am, WMB 143

Music educators are challenged daily to achieve work-life balance. Veteran teachers Doug and Judy Bush will share current research/articles and personal life experiences from their combined career of nearly 80 years to shed new light on this daily challenge. Everyone from collegiate to experienced teachers will gain insight and tools to apply to their unique situations.

Douglas W. Bush is the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His responsibilities include visual design for the Cornhusker Marching Band, conducting the campus bands and the Big Red Express, teaching music education courses, supervising student teachers, and assisting with the administration of all university bands.Bush received his B.M.E. from the University of Kentucky (1981), where he studied visual design with Gordon Henderson and trumpet with Vincent DiMartino, and received his M.M. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2002). Bush spent 20 years as a high school band director in Kentucky and Ohio. His concert and marching bands received consistent superior ratings, and performed in Cincinnati, Morgantown, Atlanta, Orlando, Nashville, Indianapolis, Washington D.C. and Toronto.He is an active clinician, arranger, visual designer and adjudicator throughout the midwest.

Judy Bush has recently retired as the Music Teacher Leader for Lincoln Public Schools in Nebraska after 30+ years in the elementary general music classroom. She is a Past President of both the NAfME North Central Division and the Nebraska Music Education Association, was a member at large of the NAfME General Music Council and tri-chair of the Professional Development/Partnership Committee. In 2016 and 2022, she received the Bryan R. Johnson Distinguished Service Award from NMEA and was inducted into the Nebraska Music Educators Hall of Fame in 2023. Judy has presented sessions to educators at numerous regional, national and international conferences. She has contributed articles for the Nebraska Music Educator magazine, the National Federation of State High School Associations Music Journal, the Orff Echo, Teaching Music Magazine and the SmartMusic Blog, and she has contributed a chapter to the recently published “The Music Teachers’s Guide to General Music” (GIA)

Designing Music Programs That Are Built To Last
Presenter: Chris Harper
9:15 am, WMB 153

Music programs are often evaluated by performances, ratings, and enrollment growth. While these outcomes matter, they rarely explain why some programs remain strong through staffing changes, shifting expectations, and limited resources. This session focuses on the intentional design choices that allow music programs to endure. 

Drawing from the clinician’s 25-year real-world experience rebuilding and sustaining programs, participants will examine how leadership structures, rehearsal systems, and daily routines shape culture and student ownership over time. Rather than relying on personality or momentum, this session emphasizes building systems that support consistency, accountability,
and continuity.

Special attention is given to programs navigating transition, rebuilding phases, or rural contexts where resources and staffing stability may be limited. Participants will leave with practical strategies for strengthening program foundations so that success is not dependent on a single individual, but everyone in the program itself.

Chris Harper bio already given - go here to view. 

The Family Musical Identity Project: Gathering Perspectives and Enacting Curricular Change
Presenter: Kaitlin Beck
9:15 am, LC C

Utilizing the lens of identity when making curricular changes can provide significant opportunities for innovation in the music classroom. This session provides a potential framework—the Family Musical Identity Project—for gathering perspectives and enacting curricular change. Participants will gain insight on how to implement a project of this nature in their specific teaching setting and have an opportunity to experience a hands-on, Orff Schulwerk inspired lesson segment on the Filipino dance, Tinikling, created from project data.

Kaitlin Beck is in her eighth year teaching K-5 general music at DC West Elementary School in Nebraska. Outside of the school day, she sponsors the ukulele, recorder, and drum clubs. Kaitlin holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Master of Arts in Music Education with an Orff Schulwerk concentration from the University of St. Thomas. She has completed Orff Schulwerk Levels I-post III and is certified in World Music Drumming. Kaitlin currently serves as President of the Great Plains Orff Chapter and is an active member of the American Orff Schulwerk Association. She presents at the local and national level and is often inspired by the connections between movement, literature, and the visual arts. Kaitlin lives in Omaha and can be found enjoying a cup of coffee with friends and family, reading a good book, and snuggling with her cats Opal and Otis.

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FRIDAY MORNING CONCERT HOUR

Trojan Singers from Platteview High School
Directed by Morgan Kroll
10:30 am, StP

From Platteview High School, Trojan Singers is a non-auditioned ensemble open to students in grades 9–12 who share a passion for music, performance, and community. Directed by Morgan Kroll and accompanied by pianist Jennifer Harrison, the choir welcomes students of all backgrounds and experience levels. Its members are athletes, leaders, actors, musicians, artists, and scholars who come together through a shared love of singing and teamwork. Through a diverse repertoire ranging from classical and contemporary music to pop and seasonal selections, students develop vocal skills, confidence, creativity, and lasting friendships. The choir proudly represents Springfield, Nebraska through concerts, school events, and community performances throughout the year. More than just a performance group, choir is a place where students support one another, express themselves, and grow both musically and personally. Through dedication, collaboration, and school spirit, the ensemble continues to inspire audiences while creating meaningful memories together.

Miss Morgan Kroll serves as the Choir Director and Fine Arts Department Head at Platteview High School, where she oversees the vocal music program junior high and high school choir, the school musical, and an extracurricular pop choir.  She also serves as the Small Schools Repertoire & Resources Chair for the Nebraska Choral Directors Association (NCDA). A 2018 graduate of Auburn High School, Miss Kroll earned her Bachelor of Science degree in K–12 Vocal and Instrumental Music Education from Peru State College and recently completed her Master of Music Education degree at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The 2022–2023 school year marked her first year teaching in public schools, and she has been at Platteview ever since.

Westside Concert Jazz Band
Directed by Tommy Krueger
10:45 am, KRH

The Westside Concert Jazz Band meets 4 times per week as a course for both semesters. The Westside Concert Jazz Band has consistently receives Superior Ratings at Jazz Festivals that they attend, and have won the following recent awards: Grand Champion at the Morningside Jazz Festival in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2024 and Nebraska State Jazz Festival Sweepstakes Winners in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. Westside CJB routinely has many students selected for the NMEA All-State Jazz Band each year, as well as many of these students performing with the Metropolitan Area Youth Jazz Orchestra (MAYJO). Recent graduates have gone on to study music and participate in the Jazz Bands at University of Nebraska-Omaha, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire, Lawrence University, University of Illinois-Champagne, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Berklee College of Music, University of Southern California, and University of Texas-Austin.

Tommy Krueger began teaching in the Westside Community Schools District in the Fall of 2016.  For eight years, Mr. Krueger served as the Director of Bands at Westside High School.  In 2024 he took on a new role within the school district as the Director of Jazz at Westside High School and a traveling Elementary Band Teacher. Mr. Krueger has served as a clinician for many Marching Bands and Jazz Bands across Nebraska and Iowa, and has been on the faculty for the UNO Jazz Camp for many years.  Mr. Krueger has presented multiple sessions at the NMEA Fall Convention, and the Westside Concert Jazz Band has been a featured group at the NSBA Spring Convention in 2018 and 2024 under his direction. He has previously served as the Jazz Chair for the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association, and as the Director of Jazz Affairs for the Nebraska Music Educators Association.

Elkhorn South High School Treble Choir
Directed by Molly Gonring & Madison Riva
11:00 am, StP

The ESHS Treble Choir consists of singers in grades 10-12. They work diligently to learn and perform music that they are truly passionate about. They find joy in singing together daily.

*Spotlight Series*
East Butler Concert Band
Directed by Ryan Salak
11:00 am, WMB 116

The East Butler Concert Band under the direction of Ryan Salak is comprised of students in 8th through 12th grade. In the past year, the ensemble traveled to Memphis to play at the Liberty Bowl Halftime Show and march in the Beale Street Parade. In April 2026, they performed at the Capitol Building in the Capitol Concert Series. Many of these students also perform in the East Butler Jazz Band.

Ryan Salak, an Omaha native, graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He has taught at East Butler for 5 years. In those 5 years, the band program has tripled in size. In addition to concert band, Ryan directs the junior high groups, jazz band, all choirs, and co-directs the One Act play in the fall. He received his Masters in Music Education from UNO in the summer of 2026.

*Spotlight Series*
Aldrich Elementary School 5th Graders
Directed by Ross Whiston
11:00 am, WMB 130

The Aldrich 5th grade students are a combined group of three different 5th grade classes. Each class has two 30-minute classes a week. Once a year, they learn music for a program. Programs at Aldrich feature a variety of ways to make music, including singing, instrument playing, spoken word, movement, and even improvisation. Most of the music performed at an Aldrich music program is original music written by the general music, Ross Whiston. Aldrich is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme school where students learn to think critically at both a local and global level through a variety of transdisciplinary themes. Through our actions, Aldrich Elementary was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for the 2023-2024 academic year by the U.S. Department of Education.

Ross Whiston is the general music teacher at Aldrich Elementary in Millard Public Schools. He teaches grades K-5 and also directs the 4th and 5th Grade choir, The Star Style Singers. Along with his teaching duties, Mr. Whiston is involved with the elementary general music leadership team in Millard. He also served on the curriculum planning committee for elementary music in Millard Public Schools. An active composer and arranger, Mr. Whiston has written 20 original music programs for a variety of elementary grade levels, featuring over 100 original compositions. Mr. Whiston has also been a clinician for different school districts, focusing on incorporating iPads into the music classroom and building a music culture at the elementary level.Outside of the classroom, Mr. Whiston has been an adjunct staff member for the Millard North band program. He also enjoys running, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Kelsey, and daughter, Willa.

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