MME Spring 2025, Column #1

by Melissa Stouffer
MMC Planning Committee Representative

As the MMEA Planning Committee Representative Chair for the Michigan Music Conference (MMC), I’m thrilled to celebrate the relaunch of our journal and provide an update on the Michigan Music Education Association’s (MMEA) contributions to this year’s event. The MMC has long been a cornerstone for music educators, students, and advocates across the state, offering unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, networking, and inspiration.

Highlights of MMEA-Sponsored Sessions at MMC 2024

The MMEA-sponsored sessions at MMC 2025 promise to be as impactful as ever. Our offerings reflect the diverse needs and interests of Michigan’s music educators. Here are just a few highlights:

• Headliner: We welcome Coty Raven Morris as our headliner who will present four sessions that will inspire you!
• Thursday Pre-Conference: Join Hong Le for World Music Drumming: Bringing the World Closer to Home. Bring a tubano if you have one! 
• Friday Evening Fun: This year we have two sessions on Friday evening in the President Ford Room: Folk Dance Frenzy and Uke Jam Fest. Make sure you join us for some fun! 
• On Saturday, check out our Young Composers Concert which will feature music compositions from students across the state of Michigan.
• Innovative Approaches to Music Education: Learn how educators are leveraging technology, interdisciplinary approaches, and new methodologies to engage students.
• Equity in Music Education: Gain insights and tools for fostering inclusivity in your classroom and school programs.
• Advocacy and Leadership: Empower yourself to be an advocate for music education within your community and beyond.
• Hands-On Workshops: Participate in sessions that hone your skills, from conducting to integrating popular music into traditional curriculums.
• Higher Education Committee Research Poster Sessions: On Friday from 9:30am to 10:30am, and again from 10:30am to 11:30am in the Amway Grand Atrium, join us for Recent Research in Posters. Stop by to read about current research by undergraduates, graduate students, university faculty, and practicing teachers.
• Find out more about the conference and session offerings at www.michiganmusicconference.org 

Looking Ahead: Submissions for MMC 2026

While MMC 2025 will undoubtedly be memorable, we’re already looking ahead to 2026—and we need your help to make it extraordinary. Have you ever considered sharing your expertise, research, or innovative practices with your peers? Here are some suggestions to guide your submissions:

1. Focus on Practical Takeaways: Attendees value sessions that offer actionable strategies and resources they can implement immediately.
2. Showcase Student Involvement: Sessions that highlight student work or collaboration often resonate deeply with attendees.
3. Diverse Perspectives: Share unique approaches or address underrepresented topics to enrich the conference’s offerings.
4. Collaborate with Colleagues: Consider partnering with other educators or organizations to provide a broader perspective.

Do you know someone who has wonderful ideas that should be shared? Encourage them to submit too! We can only schedule what has been submitted so if you know of someone who is knowledgeable on a lesser seen topic, encourage them to submit!

The submission process is straightforward, and we encourage you to start brainstorming ideas now. Keep an eye on the MMC website (www.michiganmusicconference.com) for details on the submission timeline and guidelines. Submissions for 2026 can be submitted here right after the end of the 2025 conference.

Share Your Favorite MMC Sessions

As we celebrate the success of this year’s conference, we also want to hear from you! Which MMC sessions inspired you the most? We’d love to share great presentations with NAfME Academy and your feedback can help us do that! 

To share your favorite sessions, please email us at mmcpc@mmeamichigan.org or use the feedback form available on the MMC website. 

Join Us in Shaping the Future

The success of MMC and MMEA’s contributions relies on the passion, creativity, and expertise of our members. Whether you’re presenting, attending, or sharing feedback, your involvement strengthens our community and advances music education in Michigan and beyond. Let’s work together to make MMC 2025 unforgettable and set the stage for an even brighter future!

I look forward to seeing you at MMC 2025 and to hearing your ideas for 2026. Together, we’ll continue to inspire, innovate, and advocate for music education.

Looking to get involved this year? Sign up to preside for a session!