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
Take a Musical Field Trip: Play an Experience Game
Teaching is a journey in more ways than one. In her very first publication from 1975, Dr. Peggy D. Bennett explores one facet of this metaphor as she draws connections between field trips and song game experiences, highlighting the social, emotional, and educational benefits of both.
2025 Emerging Pioneer Reflections
The Fleurette Sweeney Fellowship was initiated in 2010 to honor founding member and teacher extraordinaire, Dr. Fleurette Sweeney. This year’s Emerging Pioneers offer their reflections on the 2023 SongWorks Conference.
2025 Conference Recap
Alice Nordquist (MD) & Lisa Schoen (MN) What an inspiring and fulfilling experience we had at our 2025 SongWorks Conference! We welcomed friends old and new as we sang, played, danced, strummed, read, arranged, created, laughed, and learned during 20 sessions over...
Take a Musical Field Trip: Play an Experience Game
Teaching is a journey in more ways than one. In her very first publication from 1975, Dr. Peggy D. Bennett explores one facet of this metaphor as she draws connections between field trips and song game experiences, highlighting the social, emotional, and educational benefits of both.
2025 Emerging Pioneer Reflections
The Fleurette Sweeney Fellowship was initiated in 2010 to honor founding member and teacher extraordinaire, Dr. Fleurette Sweeney. This year’s Emerging Pioneers offer their reflections on the 2023 SongWorks Conference.
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
Take a Musical Field Trip: Play an Experience Game
Teaching is a journey in more ways than one. In her very first publication from 1975, Dr. Peggy D. Bennett explores one facet of this metaphor as she draws connections between field trips and song game experiences, highlighting the social, emotional, and educational benefits of both.
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...
Take a Musical Field Trip: Play an Experience Game
Teaching is a journey in more ways than one. In her very first publication from 1975, Dr. Peggy D. Bennett explores one facet of this metaphor as she draws connections between field trips and song game experiences, highlighting the social, emotional, and educational benefits of both.
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.