Who We Are
The SongWorks Educators Association (SWEA) is a community of educators who engage learners through SongWorks, a principles-based approach to teaching music.
SongWorks principles and practices offer teachers both grounding and flexibility in making purposeful, caring choices in their interactions with people and music. Songs are the foundation for study and learning experiences that nurture playfulness, responsiveness, and musicality.
Through developing and sharing ideas centered around the SongWorks teaching approach, SWEA members support each other in growing as educators and learners.
Events
Certification Courses
Summer 2025
Salt Lake City, UT
Annual Conference
April 4-5, 2025
Dallas, TX
SongWorks in Practice (SIP)
2024-2025 Season
Monthly Sessions Online
News
Reflections on SongWorks Certification
Anna Shelow recently completed her Level 3 SongWorks Certification Teaching Practicum to become a SongWorks Certified Educator. Here she shares her reflections on how the experience has enriched her teaching practice. I am extremely grateful for the experience of...
2025 Emerging Pioneers
The Fleurette Sweeney Fellowship was initiated in 2010 to honor founding member and teacher extraordinaire, Dr. Fleurette Sweeney. We are pleased to announce this year’s Emerging Pioneers in Music Education!
From the President
For much of my life, I felt the pressure to make New Year’s resolutions aimed at fixing perceived faults or failures. Like many, I’d start with good intentions, only to abandon those resolutions within weeks or months, leaving behind a sense of shame for failing once again. A few years ago, I adopted a different approach…
Reflections on SongWorks Certification
Anna Shelow recently completed her Level 3 SongWorks Certification Teaching Practicum to become a SongWorks Certified Educator. Here she shares her reflections on how the experience has enriched her teaching practice. I am extremely grateful for the experience of...
2025 Emerging Pioneers
The Fleurette Sweeney Fellowship was initiated in 2010 to honor founding member and teacher extraordinaire, Dr. Fleurette Sweeney. We are pleased to announce this year’s Emerging Pioneers in Music Education!
Resources
Looking for Songworks I & II or other printed resources?
Head over to our Books page for these and more!
Get Involved
• SWEA Newsletter & Teaching Ideas
• SWEA Membership
Available in Members Access Area
Become a Member, Gain Access to 50+ Sturdy Songs & Study Activities
From the Archive
Voice Discovery in a “Safe” Atmosphere: What Every Child Needs
Singing alone is a key factor in developing skills in healthy, accurate singing. This article offers ideas for creating a “safe” atmosphere for children to sing alone and for giving feedback about the singing.
We’ve Had a Good Time Playing the Game: Now What? (Revisited)
From the ArchiveHave you ever felt stuck or unsure what to do next after you’ve played a game with your students? In this article from the August 2013 MEI (SWEA) Newsletter, Dr. Peggy Bennett gives us specific ideas for how to progress from sounds to symbols in order...
Playing with Sally
“Sally Go ‘Round the Sun” is a classic game to play with younger elementary students! You may have read many variations of how to play the game, add partner songs, and more in the Sturdy Songs Collection on the SongWorks website. I have used this song with grades K–2...
Voice Discovery in a “Safe” Atmosphere: What Every Child Needs
Singing alone is a key factor in developing skills in healthy, accurate singing. This article offers ideas for creating a “safe” atmosphere for children to sing alone and for giving feedback about the singing.
We’ve Had a Good Time Playing the Game: Now What? (Revisited)
From the ArchiveHave you ever felt stuck or unsure what to do next after you’ve played a game with your students? In this article from the August 2013 MEI (SWEA) Newsletter, Dr. Peggy Bennett gives us specific ideas for how to progress from sounds to symbols in order...