MyLU Insider

NAfME Symposium

April 12-13
Shattuck 163

Lawrence University’s National Association of Music Education presents its 7th annual symposium!

Register Today!

It Takes You!

Composition, Improvisation, and Hip-Hop in the Music Classroom

Featuring keynote speaker Kiran Vedula, hip-hop educator and musician

Also featuring Loren Dempster, Eli Grover, Patty Darling, and Tim Albright

Itinerary

Friday, April 12

  • 7-9 p.m. | Open Mic Night | Shattuck 046 – Jazz Room
    In collaboration with JGEI (Jazz and Gender Equity Initiative), join us for NAfME Open Mic Night! Share any of your original compositions, improvisations, songs, poems, or other creative works! The stage is yours!

Saturday, April 13

  • 8:30-9 a.m. | Arrival & refreshments | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Enjoy some coffee and an assortment of breakfast pastries before we begin our day of learning!
  • 9-9:20 a.m. | Loren Dempster – Songwriting Activity/Warm-up | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Loren Dempster, Instructor of Music at Lawrence University, leads us in a short songwriting activity that you could incorporate into your own classroom.
  • 9:30-11 a.m. | Kiran Vedula – Hip-Hop Session | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Musician, producer, and educator Kiran Vedula shares about the power of hip-hop in facilitating culturally-responsive educational experiences. Kiran is the founder of  “Flutes at Dawn.” Their mission, excerpted from their website is as follows:
    • “Provide high-quality education and mentorship through vulnerable communication, cultural relevance, and shared positive experiences. Create inspiring spaces where people learn about themselves and connect with others in the process of expressing and making art/media. Respect, study, and elevate cultures, people, and art forms that are historically undervalued/misunderstood by presenting music and dance performances, workshops, and other educational material at professional theaters, performing arts centers, schools, universities, and beyond.”
  • 11:30 a.m. | Lunch – Catering from Tipsy Taco | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Join us for a free lunch catered by Tipsy Taco! There are several cafes within walking distance; feel free to get lunch on your own as well.
  • 1-1:30 p.m. | Eli Grover – Bucket Drumming | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    AASD educator Eli Grover shares a bucket drumming activity that you can bring to your classroom.
  • 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Patty Darling & Tim Albright – Emerging Improvisers | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Patty Darling and Tim Albright, both Lawrence University Jazz Department Faculty, share ideas and activities for encouraging emerging improvisers in your music classroom.
  • 2:30-3 p.m. | Loren Dempster – Songwriting Activity/Sharing Lyrics & Songs | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Loren Dempster joins us for a second songwriting activity.
  • 3-4 p.m. | Eli Grover – Body Percussion | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    Eli Grover shares ways we can get students powerfully creating with body percussion — no external instruments needed!
  • 4-5 p.m. | JGEI – Beginning Jazz Jam Session | Shattuck 163 (Large Rehearsal)
    NAfME partners with JGEI (Jazz and Gender Equity Initiative) for a beginning jazz jam session — no previous experience required!