2025 Conference Recap

by Alice Nordquist & Lisa Schoen

May 2025

Alice Nordquist
Lisa Schoen

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 two days. We enjoyed meeting and connecting with Dr. Michael Chandler, our Visiting Scholar, and honoring and learning from Kayla Buchanan and Kalina Stokes, our Emerging Pioneers. The Sheraton Hotel staff were incredibly hospitable, the food was delicious, and the friendship and fellowship were extraordinary as always.

Here’s what some of our attendees shared from their experiences:

When you join a SWEA conference, you leave with a sense of belonging and a new music ed family. You will come and experience the joy of playing the SongWorks way.
This conference provided participants with a wide range of lessons, all driven by principles that were clearly articulated and made concrete within the activity. These were not just “cookie cutter” lessons, but were activities that were shaped by the participants themselves, just as they would be by students in their classrooms. Of particular interest is the demonstration class, in which participants were able to see how these activities might take shape with actual children in real time with real behaviors.
Every session and every presenter was outstanding! It was fun to review songs I already knew through different lenses, and to learn so many new songs and activities. I appreciate the presenters being so generous with their quality resources.
The SongWorks conference provides its attendees with lessons they can immediately take back and implement in their classroom. Having the opportunity to ask questions and have discussions is unique and helpful. Also, getting to watch a master SongWorks educator teach a group of children is an invaluable part of every live conference!
A SongWorks Haiku

SongWorks conference
beautiful people sharing
their love of music

A Note from our Visiting Scholar

We were delighted to receive the following note from 2025 Visiting Scholar Dr. Michael Chandler:

Dr. Michael Chandler
Dear SongWorks Educators Association,

I’m writing to thank you sincerely for the generous invitation to attend the SongWorks 2025 International Conference in Dallas. I felt so very welcomed into your group, and I learned many new ways to engage my students in music and movement materials. In fact, I’ve already shared some of the ideas I learned with my students in class, and I’ve encouraged them to look into SongWorks workshops and courses.

Again, I appreciate the generous invitation to join as a member, for my conference registration, and for the association covering my hotel and airfare. I’m looking forward to continued connection with the SongWorks Educators Association in the future.

Wishing you all the best,
Michael

Emerging Pioneer Reflections

The Fleurette Sweeney Fellowship for Emerging Pioneers in Music Education was initiated in 2010 to honor Music EdVentures founding member and teacher extraordinaire, Dr. Fleurette Sweeney. In her words, the impetus behind this initiative is “the well-being of children brought about by supporting, caring, and excellently prepared teachers.”

This year’s Emerging Pioneers, Kalina Stokes and Kayla Buchanan, offer their reflections on attending the 2025 SongWorks Conference in Dallas.

Imagine how much good is done when one teacher is reinvigorated and reinspired to bring playfulness and musicality into their teaching practice! Deep investments are made to bring events like these about, and there is so much to gain from taking part in them. I left the conference with a slate of new musical “dishes” to try and a renewed spirit from experiencing the joy of music-making in community. —Kalina Stokes
One thing that was reinforced for me is that playing is holistic for our students. […] At the conference, I was able to see how playful teaching helps encourage the student to learn. I don’t have to show the notation every class and teach them how to count a simple song the first time they see it; instead I can let them experience the song, the game, and the concepts before getting into direct explanation. —Kayla Buchanan

Click here to read their full reflections!

2026 SongWorks Conference

Our 2026 SongWorks Conference will be a series of virtual sessions in April 2026! Consider what ideas you might share in a presentation. Look for a call for proposals in our next newsletter.

Questions? Want to talk through ideas? Contact Conference Chairs Alice Nordquist (alice@songworkseducators.com) and Lisa Schoen (lisa@songworkseducators.com) with questions. Interested in serving on the 2026 Conference Committee? Let us know here.

More from Recent Newsletters:

Take a Musical Field Trip: Play an Experience Game
2025 Emerging Pioneer Reflections
From the President
Reflections on SongWorks Certification
2025 Emerging Pioneers
From the President
2025 Conference Visiting Scholar
Let’s Go Down to the Town Hall Festival Ball!
Voice Discovery in a “Safe” Atmosphere: What Every Child Needs
From the President
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