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.

2:00pm EDT

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

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

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

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

2:00pm EDT

Popular Music in Elementary Music Methods Courses

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

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

In this panel, the presenters will discuss innovative strategies for integrating popular music into elementary music teacher education. The panelists will share practical approaches for adapting traditional general music methods and overcoming institutional barriers. Attendees will gain actionable ideas to prepare preservice music teachers for teaching popular music in today’s elementary music classrooms.

Speakers

Sandra S. Adorno

Associate Professor of Music Education, Florida International University

Dr. Sandra Sanchez Adorno is an associate professor of music education at Florida International University. She teaches courses in elementary general music, assessment and evaluation in music education, music psychology, and modern band. Sandra is certified in Orff-Schulwerk and World... Read More →

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 →

Melissa Ryan

Assistant Professor of Music Education, University of New Mexico

Dr. Melissa Ryan is an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico. She specializes in inclusive and creative general music education, drawing on experience teaching music across the U.S. and abroad. Her work includes professional development for teachers and research on social... Read More →

Martina Vasil

Professor of Music Education, University of Kentucky

Martina Vasil, PhD, is Professor of Music Education and Director of Graduate Studies for the University of Kentucky School of Music. She is a board member of Music Will and past president of APME. Martina learned to salsa dance from Marlon Silva in Pittsburgh, PA and was... Read More →

Thursday June 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:55pm EDT
Volpe 103 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

👯‍♀️Panel (55), HPME

9:00am EDT

From Waveform to Meaning: Teaching Music in the Age of AI

Saturday June 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:55am EDT

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

This panel explores how artificial intelligence categorizes and represents music. The session introduces practical tools such as segmentation, mix assistants, style transfer, stem separation, and adaptive practice while offering educators critical perspectives for thoughtfully integrating AI into popular music education.

Speakers

Dylan Gorenberg

Director of Music Technology, Golden West College

Dylan Gorenberg is a Los Angeles-based guitarist, composer, and educator who has toured extensively across the U.S., EU, and U.K., performing in venues ranging from intimate clubs to arenas with over 50,000 attendees. He has also served as principal guitarist of the San Bernardino... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:55am EDT
Volpe 203 Volpe Building, San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, USA

👯‍♀️Panel (55), HPME