APME Miami 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to the APME Miami 2026 Conference!
Here you can register and update your Sched profile. A draft schedule will be available March 1, when you’ll be able to explore sessions and build your agenda.

Questions? Visit our website or email [email protected].

Join us June 4–6 at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami, as we celebrate the rhythms, relationships, and revolutions shaping popular music education.

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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9:00am EDT

Teaching for Vulnerability in Popular Music Performance

Saturday June 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:25am EDT

Volpe 102 @ Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

Vulnerability is often viewed as a liability in school music performances, but it can also be a powerful asset for musicians to forge feelings of connection amongst audience members. This presentation explores how teachers could approach discussing vulnerability in a popular music classroom for the benefit of students.

Speakers

M. W. Degan

Doctoral Candidate, Boston University

M. W. Degan is a public-school music teacher in Massachusetts, U.S.A., and a doctoral candidate in Music Education at Boston University, where he also earned Masters in Music Education and Ethnomusicology. His research interests include investigating how individuals conceptualize... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:25am EDT
Volpe 102 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

📚Research (25), Culture and Belonging

10:00am EDT

What Makes Songs Sound “Substantially Similar”? A Music-Generative AI Approach

Saturday June 6, 2026 10:00am - 10:25am EDT

Volpe 102 @ Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

This study examines perceived musical similarity using Suno AI to generate controlled cover versions with systematic changes to pitch, rhythm, harmony, lyrics, and genre. Unlike prior work relying on simplified stimuli, this approach preserves full production fidelity while revealing that lyrics and genre transformation influence listener judgments.

Speakers

Joseph J. Avery

Assistant Professor, Miami Herbert Business School, University of Miami

Joseph J. Avery is an Assistant Professor at the Miami Herbert Business School, with additional appointments in the University of Miami’s Department of Psychology and Institute for Data Science and Computing, and he is an Affiliated Fellow at Yale Law School’s Information Society... Read More →

Tom Collins

Associate Professor, Frost School of Music, University of Miami

Tom Collins is Associate Professor of Music Engineering at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami, and Principal Investigator of the Music Computing and Psychology Lab. His research bridges music perception, artificial intelligence, and creative technologies, with applications... Read More →

Sam Courtney

Graduate Student, Frost School of Music, University of Miami

Sam Courtney is a graduate student in Music Engineering Technology at the University of Miami, working under the mentorship of Dr. Christopher Bennett and Dr. Tom Collins. His research interests span digital signal processing, machine learning, and acoustics. He is a member of the... Read More →

Mike Schuster

Associate Professor, Terry College of Business, University of Georgia

Mike Schuster is an Associate Professor of Legal Studies at the Terry College of Business, University of Georgia. His research empirically analyzes behavior within the intellectual property system, with a growing focus on digital and AI-driven environments. His work has appeared in... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 10:00am - 10:25am EDT
Volpe 102 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

📚Research (25), Songwriting/Production

10:30am EDT

Amplifying Access: Rock Ensemble as a Catalyst for Inclusive Popular Music Education

Saturday June 6, 2026 10:30am - 10:55am EDT

Volpe 106 @ Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

This research surrounds the concept of cultural capital and how the structures of music programs in higher education are built upon antiquated class distinctions. The session analyzes how the creation of a rock ensemble within a predominantly classical music department can serve as a transformative pedagogical intervention.

Speakers

Jesse Tyler Moore

Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Admissions Coordinator, Rock Ensemble Director, Instructor of Guitar and Bass Guitar, The Pennsylvania State University

Jesse Tyler Moore is an accomplished musician, administrator, and educator specializing in guitar and bass guitar instruction. With a deep passion for popular music genres such as rock, blues, funk, and metal, Jesse brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to his teaching. His... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 10:30am - 10:55am EDT
Volpe 106 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

📚Research (25), HPME

10:30am EDT

Navigating The Fog: A Feminist Ethical Framework for AI

Saturday June 6, 2026 10:30am - 10:55am EDT

Volpe 103 @ Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

This research argues that AI itself cannot be good or evil because it has no subjectivity or freedom. Drawing on feminist ethics and Simone de Beauvoir’s existentialism, it examines responsibility, ambiguity, anthropomorphism, and systemic harm, and considers implications for music educators navigating AI in teaching and learning contexts.

Speakers

Nick Filotei

Assistant Lecturer, University of Southern California

Nick Filotei is a dedicated educator and researcher passionate about inclusive learning and social justice in music education. He brings a diverse background in music technology, performance, and teaching to his role as an assistant lecturer at the University of Southern California... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 10:30am - 10:55am EDT
Volpe 103 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

📚Research (25)

11:00am EDT

Relationships between Perceived Popularity, Desirability, Social Media Use, and Musical Role Choice with Adolescents Not Enrolled in Music Programs

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am EDT

Volpe 203 @ Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

This presentation is on a research study using Social Role Theory which shows how perceived popularity and social media use influences musical role choices with early adolescent students not enrolled in music programs.

Speakers

Dr. Christopher Burns

Fine and Performing Arts Resource Specialist, School District of Osceola County

Dr. Christopher Burns is a music educator and arts-education leader whose work bridges creativity, technology, and access. As the Fine & Performing Arts Resource Specialist for the School District of Osceola County (FL), he supports K–12 music, theatre, visual art, and dance programs... Read More →

Patrick Cooper

Assistant Professor of Music Education, Florida International University

Dr. Patrick K. Cooper serves an assistant professor of music education at Florida International University. He teaches courses in research, curriculum development, philosophy, and creativity. He holds degrees in music education from Arizona State University (B.M., M.M.) and University... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am EDT
Volpe 203 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

📚Research (25), K-12

11:00am EDT

Repertoire/Genre Selection in Modern Band Classrooms

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am EDT

Volpe 103 @ Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

There remains a gap between the music students enjoy outside the classroom and the music in school music programs. Modern band might be a way to bridge this gap; however, what music and genres are teachers using, and how are they selected? In this session, we share our findings.
There remains a gap between the music students enjoy outside the classroom and the music in school music programs. Modern band might be a way to bridge this gap; however, what music and genres are teachers using, and how are they selected? In this session, we share our findings.

Speakers

David Dockan

Assistant Professor of Music Education, Louisiana State University

David Dockan, PhD (he/him/his) is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Louisiana State University, where he teaches courses in elementary music methods, popular/commercial music techniques, and teaching music in diverse settings. Committed to helping teachers design curricula that reflect students’ musical... Read More →

Rachael Sanguinetti

Associate Faculty/Program Director, Masters of Music Education, Immaculata University

Rachael earned her bachelor’s degree at the Eastman School of Music in 2015 where she majored in Music Education with a Vocal Emphasis and Musical Arts with a thesis focused in arts journalism. She also minored in Social Psychology and completed an Arts Leadership Certificate. Rachael... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am EDT
Volpe 103 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

📚Research (25), Culture and Belonging

11:00am EDT

Self-Produced Songs: Technology, Agency, and the Shifting Pulse of Popular Music

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am EDT

Volpe 207 @ Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

How does self-production reshape the pulse of popular music? Drawing from experiences as both artist and educator, this session explores how technology empowers autonomy, blurs traditional roles, and transforms the creative and pedagogical landscape of popular music and songwriting today.How does self-production reshape the pulse of popular music? Drawing from experiences as both artist and educator, this session explores how technology empowers autonomy, blurs traditional roles, and transforms the creative and pedagogical landscape of popular music and songwriting today.

Speakers

Kat Reinhert

Professor/CEO, Berklee College of Music/Songwriting for Music Educators

Kat Reinhert is a genre-defying songwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and bandleader. She has released five independently produced albums and collaborated with artists like Anat Fort, Jo Lawry, Ross Pederson, Michael Leonhart, Josh Logan, Stephen Lit, and David Cook. Her songwriting... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am EDT
Volpe 207 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

📚Research (25)

11:00am EDT

Strengthening Improvisation Practices in the Orchestra Classroom

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am EDT

Volpe 106 @ Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

This action research study explored middle school students' perspectives on an improvisation unit in their orchestra class. It sought to identify strategies that enhance learning and foster community through improvisation. The results revealed students' gains and challenges, providing valuable insights for educators to improve instruction and strengthen social dynamics.

Speakers

Jose Santana

Graduate Student (PhD Music Education) / 5-12 Orchestra Teacher, University of Iowa

Jose Santana is a PhD candidate at the University of Iowa, focusing his research on improvisation and composition in the instrumental orchestra classroom. He has taught orchestra in public schools across the United States. He also worked as an orchestra director with the El Sistema... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am EDT
Volpe 106 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

📚Research (25), K-12

11:00am EDT

The Marginalized Voice of East Asian Immigrant Musicians

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am EDT

Volpe 102 @ Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

This presentation examines the music learning and making experiences of three East Asian immigrant musicians in relation to their intersectional identities of race, ethnicity, gender, and language. This session may benefit music teachers and music teacher educators who wish to better support Asian music students and embrace social justice. This presentation examines the music learning and making experiences of three East Asian immigrant musicians in relation to their intersectional identities of race, ethnicity, gender, and language. This session may benefit music teachers and music teacher educators who wish to better support Asian music students and embrace social justice.

Speakers

Jonathan Sang-Joon Lee

Graduate Student (DMA), Boston University

Jonathan Sang-Joon Lee is a K-12 music educator in Vancouver, Canada and a doctoral candidate in music education at Boston University. His research interests encompass cultural diversity, popular music education, and music education within special education contexts. He has delivered... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am EDT
Volpe 102 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

📚Research (25), Culture and Belonging

11:30am EDT

Informally Educated vs. Formally Educated Musicians in Music Institutions: A Sense of Belonging

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:30am - 11:55am EDT

Volpe 203 @ Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

Students’ music education backgrounds shape belonging in higher education. Survey results show informal/non-formal learners feel more belonging than formally trained peers. Comfort with Western theory wasn’t a strong predictor, though a negative trend emerged. Findings suggest Western theory requirements may undermine inclusion, highlighting the need for curricula that value diverse musical literacies.

Speakers

Rhian Bristol

Student, University of Southern California

Rhian Bristol is a dynamic musician, educator, and multi-instrumentalist. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Music Teaching and Learning at USC after completed her masters in Popular Music Teaching and Learning at the USC and earning her BFA in VoiceArts Performance, with... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 11:30am - 11:55am EDT
Volpe 203 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

📚Research (25), HPME