Professional Development

I have attended the International Band and Orchestra Conference every December since 2016. This is the highest-end clinic for band directors to attend, bringing in professionals from all areas of the world to present rehearsal techniques, research, performances, vendors, and much more. 

Visit their website here.

I have attended IMEC for three years, participating each January in clinics on inclusivity, yoga in the band room, recruitment and retention, and much more. I have also seen performances by groups such as the High Five Choir while at IMEC and observed the All-State rehearsals. I also attended their virtual ILMEA clinics in November of 2020.

Visit their website here.

I am participating in Music for All's Mind the Gap series, which began fall of 2020 to support student teachers during the pandemic. Previous episode topics have included music technology, advocacy, interview tips, and more. While I am no longer student teaching, I am still participating in the webinars. 

Visit their website here.

I take monthly clarinet lessons with Professor Eric Ginsberg from Western Illinois University in order to continue to advance my skills on my primary. We can only teach our students as much as we know, so I continue to try to learn as much as I can in this area.

See his information here.

The National Association for Music Education has published various helpful webinars on virtual learning for music teachers. I have watched some of the webinars, one being on the rehearsal grid, and am continuing to watch more in my free time.

Visit their website here.

I took the Genius certification course in September of 2020 to learn about more applications of Screencastify. I intend to complete their other courses as well since Screencastify is such a great educational resource.

Visit their website here.

In March of 2020, just before everything shut down, I took my top clarinet choir on an overnight trip to Chicago to work with John Yeh from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. We all learned a lot from his clinic with us. We also attended clinics by members of the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble on entrepreneurship and musicianship, given specifically for our group, and we also visited the Vandoren Studio to learn more about equipment and try it out.

Visit the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble's website here.

I attended a National Association for Music Education workshop nearly every month that I was at WIU (2016-2020). Topics included inclusivity, reed making, vocal health and care, percussion maintenance, interviews, mental health in students, and much more. 

Visit the chapter's Facebook page here.