Eric Jao Professional DJ | Founder of Mix Major | Co-Creator of the Electronic Music ELEMENTS Curriculum | K-8 Electronic Music Production Teacher In 2016, I had over two decades of DJ experience, but was just one year into teaching music production to K-12.  I was brought in to teach a semester-long class to 10 middle schoolers.  Minutes into that first class, I realized: teaching is just like DJing. Four kids on my right understand every word I’m saying.  They’re jus

For generations, the podium has symbolized authority, expertise, and leadership in the band room. It’s where we learned to conduct, where we were taught to stand, and where many of us still instinctively go when rehearsal begins. But in a modern classroom—one shaped by collaboration, student voice, and social-emotional awareness—it may be worth asking an important question: What does the podium communicate to our students today?

Bob Habersat Commercial Music Educator, Curriculum Developer, & Consultant | Co-Founder of Shedthemusic | Co-Creator of Electronic Music Elements Bob Habersat (middle) receiving the 2026 Mike Kovins TI:ME Teacher of the Year Award, presented by Walt Straiton (R.), KORG SoundTree Director of Education (L. Michael McCready, TI:ME) I’m a high school choir, music production, and guitar teacher from Illinois. The last week of January marks the pilgrimage that Illinois music educat

Irwin Kornfeld Publisher of In Tune Monthly I left my post as a Billboard  associate publisher 25 years ago and created the reading resource In Tune Monthly  shortly thereafter. These were the days of Napster and the beginning of the great digital disintermediation - the sea change that would upend the music business as we knew it, and when the next stylistic shift in music rolled into town (see: “boy bands” and “hip hop”). The mighty music moguls were shaken, and for good re

Chris Sanders, KORG Studio Sound Reinforcement Expert - After years around school installs, training, and support calls, one pattern stands out: strong results come from a few smart moves done in the right order.

Sharon Selinger, Band Program Director, Music Production Teacher, Digital Music Librarian at Pine Crest School, FL - When I think about great leaders, I think about the commitment they’ve made to do better, be better, and to keep on keeping on until they’re happy with the outcome. It’s that same perseverance, drive, and determination I’ve found in myself.

Dr. Jim Frankel, Founder and Director, MusicFirst - Every once in a while, I ask myself “What If?” questions. For me, this question spurs most of my creative thinking.

By Dr. Frank Machos, Vice President & Director of the Mann Center Institute for Creative Arts and Community Impact, Philadelphia, PA - The music that students create in many of today’s classrooms looks a lot more like the music they enjoy outside of it. For a long time, this wasn’t the case.

Franklin J. Willis Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN - For more than a decade, my greatest joy was standing in front of a classroom of elementary music students, watching their eyes light up as they discovered their own musical gifts.

By Dr. James Weaver, Director of Performing Arts and Sports, NFHS - Walk into any American high school gymnasium, auditorium, or stadium, and you’ll see the heartbeat of our communities - students performing, competing, and connecting.

With educators facing increasing demands on their time and resources, it was exciting to see such enthusiasm for tools and ideas that are both accessible and impactful. The sessions sparked great conversations, and it was truly rewarding to connect with fellow music educators who are committed to evolving their practice and inspiring their students.

Bryan Powell is Associate Professor of Music Education and Music Technology at Montclair State University, and Chief Program Officer at Music Will.

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