SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

Note that there are still lots of session descriptions to come!

Choosing Appropriate Musical Theatre Songs: Lecture & Masterclass | Jocelyn Ahlf
This session will give you a better understanding of the traditions of Musical Theatre, emphasizing the importance of play in this accessible, expressive genre, and get repertoire suggestions for teachers of new singers.

Connecting Youth and Seniors through Music Memories | Cara Brown
AMEF’s program, Alberta Heritage Music Project (AHMP), has been put on twice in Cochrane, and once in Fort McMurray.  Nathene Arthur, past Director and Chair of AMEF, created this program after having spent many hours with her students volunteering at Seniors Lodges and Hospitals, sharing the gift of music. AMEF will support this intergenerational program in music studios and schools. The possibilities truly are endless – come and find out how you can bridge the gap between all generations through music and stories!

Crossing Over to the Dark Side: Fiddle for the Classical Strings Studio | Trish Clair
Traditional and contemporary fiddle music has gained enormous popularity in recent years, and this trend presents a opportunity for classical strings teachers to maintain excitement and interest among their students. Embrace the dark side! Fiddle tunes can be used to expand left- and right-hand technique, improve bow control in a variety of strokes, explore theoretical concepts, and strengthen aural skills. In this session a graded curriculum of fiddle tunes will be suggested, along with many fun ways to incorporate fiddling into "serious" violin studies. Suitable for private studio teachers as well as ensemble teachers.

Developing a Sound Body | Anna Beaumont
Session led by Anna Beaumont based on her Voice Connection: Where Sound and Light Connect” workshops. Our bodies contain a vital life force that is necessary for singing.  Developing a sound body and sound mind is crucial to fully realizing the potential of our magnificent singing voice.

Fostering Musicianship in Young Children | Martha Livingstone
This session will be geared towards the studio music teacher as well as K-3 teachers who are interested in teaching music to young children. Martha will provide a brief overview of the benefits of music in early childhood as well as sample lesson plans, materials and ideas for those who are already teaching this age.

Junior Piano Masterclass (Ages 11-14)| Bianca Baciu
Bianca is an active soloist, chamber musician, adjudicator and Masterclass clinician offering a masterclass for junior piano students. 

Musical Theatre Vocal Styles: Lecture & Masterclass | Jocelyn Ahlf
Jocelyn will work with individuals on presenting Musical Theatre with emphasis on character, storytelling and trusting their own artistic choices.  

No Wrong Notes – Part I | Jennifer Buchanan
Discover how music evokes memories, assists in retraining language, and offers alternative means of self-expression, while validating each persons’ strengths, leading to best health. This presentation will leave you with a better understanding of how music can enrich the lives of those you care about while enriching your life at the same time.

No Wrong Notes – Part II | Jennifer Buchanan
Discover how music evokes memories, assists in retraining language, and offers alternative means of self-expression, while validating each persons’ strengths, leading to best health. This presentation will leave you with a better understanding of how music can enrich the lives of those you care about while enriching your life at the same time.

Senior Piano Masterclass (Ages 15-18 ) | Bianca Baciu
Bianca is an active soloist, chamber musician, adjudicator and Masterclass clinician offering a masterclass for senior piano students. 

Suzuki Group Class Workshop | Trish Clair
Suzuki teachers, are you running out of ideas to keep your weekly group classes engaging and relevant? Are you new to the Suzuki method and looking for some more ideas for your "toolbox"? In this workshop, Trish Clair will present some of the methods she employs in her own Suzuki group classes and will also invite participants to share their own ideas, in the true spirit of Suzuki. Although this session is intended for Suzuki violin/viola teachers, there will be many ideas discussed that would prove helpful to any ensemble teacher looking for ways to enliven their group class instruction.

Technology and Teaching: Be Not Afraid! | David Sabine
David will explore some of the greatest technology that is available to your students and discuss ways that you can engage your students in new ways.  Technophobes welcome.

Voice Masterclass | Anna Beaumont
Masterclass to illustrate the work of Whole Body Singing; Anna will assist students incorporate awareness, breath and sound.  This class will leave behind the rules of right and wrong, and embrace the Sound Body.

Whole Body Singing  | Anna Beaumont
Session led by Anna Beaumont based on her Voice Connection: Where Sound and Light Connect” workshops.  How does every part of our body contribute to the quality of our voice?  Through the embodiment of our voice we can learn to feel our voice as a full representation of our being, and bring all of the colours and textures of our sound back to life.