Music for All Academy
From Inspiration to Application: Music for All Academy Connects Educators with Ideas That Work
How can music educators build stronger classroom cultures, create more meaningful musical experiences, and help students become confident leaders? These were among the questions explored through Music for All Academy’s 2026 fall professional development programs in Oregon and Texas.
From a day of learning for band, choir, orchestra, and general music educators in Portland to a series of practical workshops in Texas, presented with the Texas Bandmasters Association, Music for All Academy connected educators with experienced practitioners and strategies they could immediately put to work in their own schools.
The events reflected a central purpose of Music for All Academy: making meaningful professional learning accessible, relevant, and immediately useful to the educators who shape students’ musical experiences every day.
“Education has always been at the heart of Music for All. Through the Music for All Academy, we’re bringing professional learning closer to educators’ communities, connecting practical ideas with the daily work of teaching,” says Dr. James Weaver, President and CEO of Music for All. “Our vision is an ongoing network of learning and support that helps educators strengthen their programs and expand opportunities for students.”
A Day of Learning and Leadership in Portland
The October 9 event offered professional development for band, choir, orchestra, and general music educators, along with a parallel leadership workshop for high school students.
The day began at David Douglas High School with Dr. Weaver’s keynote presentation, “Music Education: Its Impact and Future.” Educators then participated in sessions addressing classroom instruction, musical development, and program leadership.
The clinicians included Richard L. Saucedo, band; Maria Ellis, choir; Jeffrey Grogan, orchestra; and Anne Fennell, general music. Bobby Lambert led the student leadership workshop.
Presenters focused on approaches to instruction, program development, classroom culture, and student engagement that educators could adapt to their own schools.
“Our day with Richard Saucedo was an outstanding opportunity to learn, reflect, and grow as music educators. Richard shared not only his wealth of musical knowledge, but also the wisdom and perspective that remind us why our work with students matters,” said Jennifer Brooks, Director of Bands at David Douglas High School and host of the Portland Music for All Academy program. “We left inspired and challenged to bring new ideas and reinvigorated purpose back to our band rooms.”
“[Presenter] Anne Fennell is incredibly engaging and empowering,” said Peter Nilsen-Goodin, Elementary Music Teacher at Gresham-Barlow School District 10J in Portland. “With both hands-on learning and the opportunity to discuss underlying philosophies/approaches, it was tailor-made to allow us to bring back specific, ready-to-go lessons, as well as to reflect on our own practice. Being there with fellow colleagues from our district and around the state made for a fun and inspiring day.”
Music for All President and CEO Dr. James Weaver opens the Music for All Academy professional development in Portland, Oregon.
Anne Fennell, Senior Director of Education at Music for All, works with music educators at Music for All Academy Portland.
Richard Saucedo at Music for All Academy Portland.
Maria Ellis shares with music educators at the Music for All Academy Portland.
Jeff Grogan talks with music educators at Music for All Academy Portland.
Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
While educators engaged in professional learning, high school students participated in an interactive leadership workshop led by Bobby Lambert.
The workshop focused on developing confident, effective student leaders through communication, personal responsibility, ensemble culture, and leadership in rehearsals and performances.
The day’s activities culminated in a student leadership demonstration for the educators, giving teachers an opportunity to not only observe students, but participate in the demonstration themselves. By bringing educators and students together for complementary learning experiences, Music for All reinforced the important connection between effective teaching, student leadership, and the development of strong music programs.
“The Music for All sessions were well-organized, efficient, and gave everyone something to take away and apply in their classrooms and program,” said Erika Lockwood, Director of Choirs at David Douglas High School. “[Presenter] Maria Ellis is an inspiring, personable, and caring clinician. My only regret is that there weren’t more educators in attendance. My students really enjoyed the leadership workshop and came away energized for the year ahead. I look forward to next year’s workshop!”
Bobby Lambert talks with students during the student leadership sessions at the Portland Music for All Academy.
Professional Development in Texas with Music for All and Texas Bandmasters Association
Music for All Academy’s fall programming also includes a three-event professional development series developed with the Texas Bandmasters Association and held in conjunction with Music for All’s Bands of America Championships. The collaboration brings focused learning opportunities to communities where band directors are already gathering for championship events.
The series began September 19 in McAllen, where Dena Laurel, Director of Elementary Music and Arts Education for Roma ISD, Texas and former Director of Bands at Roma High School, presented “Daily Drills that Build the Skills!” The session focused on maximizing the first 15 minutes of rehearsal through purposeful daily exercises that improve student skills, engagement, and rehearsal efficiency.
Christopher Yee talks with directors at the North Houston Music for All Academy.
Tim Cox presents at the North Houston Music for All Academy.
On September 26 in Shenandoah, Christopher Yee, Assistant Fine Arts Director for Leander ISD and President of the Texas Bandmasters Association, presented “Culture by Design: What Matters Most in the Band Hall,” exploring the importance of creating student-centered music programs where students feel valued, connected, and supported.
The final Texas session is scheduled for November 7 in San Antonio, where Matt Harloff, retired Director of Bands at Avon High School, Indiana, will present “The Season After the Season,” focusing on how music educators can build on the fall semester to strengthen musicianship, leadership, and overall program development throughout the remainder of the school year.
The Texas series combines professional learning with the opportunity to experience the Bands of America Championships. Following each session, participating educators receive admission to the Finals competition at the corresponding championship event.
Although the three Texas sessions address different aspects of music education, each focuses on a challenge familiar to band directors: making rehearsal time more productive, creating an environment where students thrive, and sustaining musical growth beyond the marching season. Together, they reflect an approach to professional learning centered on the day-to-day work of teaching.
“Supporting band directors is at the heart of TBA’s mission,” says Phillip L. Clements, Executive Director of Texas Bandmasters Association, “and we are delighted to partner with Music for All to bring these innovative sessions directly to our teachers in venues that allow easy access to great clinicians and learning. We are excited to be part of this venture and the shared vision to help teachers help their students across Texas.”
For Tim Cox of Music for All, who attended the Portland and Texas events, a particular strength of the sessions was the connection between educational ideas and practical application. “There’s great value in giving educators opportunities to engage directly with presenters, ask questions, and explore solutions they could take back to their classrooms,” said Cox.
Supporting the Educators Who Make Music Possible
The value of professional development extends well beyond the day of an event. It takes shape in the rehearsals that follow, the classroom cultures educators build, and the opportunities they create for students to discover what they can accomplish through music.
Through Music for All Academy, Music for All is working to connect educators with the knowledge, encouragement, and professional community that support that work.
As the Academy continues to develop professional learning opportunities with music education partners and communities, its purpose remains centered on a simple idea: supporting educators helps create stronger musical experiences for the students they serve.
Learn more about Music for All Academy and upcoming professional development opportunities at education.musicforall.org/academy.
