Name: Pop Theory in Practice: Teaching the Building Blocks of Modern Hits
Start: 2026-06-04T14:00:00-0400
End: 2026-06-04T14:55:00-0400

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.

Pop Theory in Practice: Teaching the Building Blocks of Modern Hits

Thursday June 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm EDT

Volpe 203

Music theory was originally developed to describe and explain the Euroclassical repertoire. While its foundations remain essential, relying on traditional theory alone to teach commercial songwriting and production is a bit like giving students an old map to navigate a city that has transformed. Drawing on systematic analysis of today’s chart-topping songs, this session introduces frameworks that expand traditional theory to include the elements, patterns, and conventions that define today’s commercial music landscape.

Speakers

David Penn

Co-Founder, Hit Songs Deconstructed

David Penn is the co-founder of Hit Songs Deconstructed, a leading educational platform that provides detailed data and analysis on the craft and trends behind today’s hit songs. Often described as “music theory for popular music,” Hit Songs Deconstructed has become an essential... Read More →

Yael Penn

Co-Founder, Hit Songs Deconstructed

Yael Penn is the co-founder of Hit Songs Deconstructed, a leading music platform that provides detailed data and analysis on the craft and trends behind contemporary hit songs. Often described as "music theory for popular music," Hit Songs Deconstructed has become an essential resource... Read More →

Thursday June 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm EDT
Volpe 203 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

👯‍♀️Panel (55), HPME

Tickets

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APME Miami 2026

David Penn

Yael Penn

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Success you have shared X tickets.

APME Miami 2026

David Penn

Yael Penn

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