Welcome to the APMExMEMECO Italy 2026 Conference! Here you can register and update your Sched profile. A draft schedule will be available May 15th, when you’ll be able to explore sessions and build your agenda.
This session offers a Black intracultural perspective on allyship in music education, using Black Music Aesthetics as a conceptual framework. Through lived experience and musicological analysis, it examines how timbre, delivery mechanics, and style reveal performative allyship and proposes pathways toward authentic, justice-centered practice.
Assistant Professor of Music Education, University of Minnesota
Dr. Adrian Davis Dr. Adrian Davis is a native of Memphis, TN, and he currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a skilled and experienced educator whose contribution to the profession is developing programs that intentionally center the student voice, community uplift, sociocultural relevance... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:20am CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
Imagine being at a Korean party, lost—until a familiar melody emerges. What do I feel? My project integrates migrant students’ native musical repertoires into Italian L2 learning. Through storytelling, songwriting, and embodied workshops, I show how music fosters motivation, identity, and intercultural dialogue, offering a replicable inclusive model.
I am a pianist and specialist in pedagogy, currently teaching Italian to migrant students at CPIA 3 in Rome (Provincial Centre for Adult Education). I earned my diplomas in Piano (1990) and Chamber Music (1993) at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, and in 1997 I graduated in... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:25am - 10:50am CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
The paper examined instrumental learning processes in students with dyslexia and dyscalculia through two qualitative case studies in Italy and Germany. Focusing on an inclusive pedagogical intervention, the study provides practical insights into adapting instrumental teaching to support students with special educational needs across different educational settings. The paper examined instrumental learning processes in students with dyslexia and dyscalculia through two qualitative case studies in Italy and Germany. Focusing on an inclusive pedagogical intervention, the study provides practical insights into adapting instrumental teaching to support students with special educational needs across different educational settings.
PhD student, Universität Münster – Musikhochschule Münster, Germany. Department of Education, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
Susanna Zanella Cavallero is a Ph.D. student in a joint doctoral programme between Universität Münster – Musikhochschule Münster and Roma Tre University. A professional musician, her research focuses on developing support strategies for musicians with special educational needs... Read More →
Associate Professor in Didactics and Special Education, Departement of Education, Roma Tre University
Amalia Rizzo,Ph.D.,is an Associate Professor in Didactics and Special Education at the Department of Education, Roma Tre University. A pianist and scholar, her research focuses on inclusive music education, evidence-based practices, and effective educational strategies to support participation and lear... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 3PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
The paper proposes an inclusive teaching model for secondary schools based on the Loop Station, inspired by the experience of one-man bands. The laboratory-based, error-free approach fosters improvisation, creativity, listening, self-correction, and cooperation, reducing individual protagonism and supporting the participation of students with Special Educational Needs in the daily school context.
I have a degree in music, science, and sound technology and am currently pursuing a PhD at the Benevento Conservatory with a project on live looping. I also pursue a career as a solo musician, performing live with a loop station, and in bands.
Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
Poeta, narratore, critico letterario, linguista, studioso di folclore e di poesia dialettale, Ottaviano Giannangeli (1923-2017) analizza, in una lunga serie di studi, le differenze tra canto popolare e canzone abruzzese d’autore, distinguendone le origini storiche e le caratteristiche tecniche, anche alla luce della sua esperienza come autore di canzoni e organizzatore di eventi musicali. Studiando sia le testimonianze letterarie (come la famosa Tutte le funtanelle riportata da D’Annunzio nel suo Trionfo della morte) che le raccolte musicali di Francesco Paolo Tosti, Ettore Montanaro e Tommaso Bruni, Giannangeli riconosce l’embrione del canto popolare abruzzese nello stornello o nello stornello doppio (caratterizzato da una struttura monostrofica e monotematica) che poi vede la sua trasformazione in canzone abruzzese d’autore, grazie a musicisti come Antonio Di Jorio e Guido Albanese, mediante l’aggiunta di un ritornello che va a sviluppare e a risolvere, sia poeticamente che musicalmente, quanto enunciato nella strofa (struttura dunque non più monotematica ma bitematica).
Andrea Giampietro nasce a Popoli (PE) nel 1985, ma trascorre l’infanzia a Pratola Peligna (AQ) per poi stabilirsi a Sulmona. Autore di raccolte poetiche e di traduzioni, è attivo anche come saggista e critico letterario (collabora con riviste come “Poesia”, “Nuovi Argomenti... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:25am - 11:50am CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 3PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
The research investigates singing habits and repertoires for early childhood in family contexts in Italy, comparing them with the proposals of music educators. A profound misalignment is highlighted, which may nevertheless prompt reflection on the role and social potential of music education as proposed by professionals and the media. The research investigates singing habits and repertoires for early childhood in family contexts in Italy, comparing them with the proposals of music educators. A profound misalignment is highlighted, which may nevertheless prompt reflection on the role and social potential of music education as proposed by professionals and the media.
PhD student, University of Milano Bicocca, Deparment of Human Science for Education "Riccardo Massa"
Gabriele Greggio is a social pedagogist and musician, PhD student in Education at Milano Bicocca University. Since 2011 he work as music educator in early childhood context (family, schoolgarden).
Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:25am - 11:50am CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
In this session, I will explore the question: Why is it so difficult to integrate certain musical practices into music lessons? In workshops and training courses, I have repeatedly encountered resistance to digital music production in music education. How can this aversion be explained?
Lecturer for Music Media Practice, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg
Arne Wachtmann is a sound engineer and media culture scholar. Since earning his Bachelor's degree in Recording Arts, he has worked as a sound engineer, music producer, and in various other areas of media production. After completing his Master of Arts in Integrated Media, he worked... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 3PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
The presenters reports on an ongoing, longitudinal duoethnographic study of a duo comprising a classical pianist and a rock drummer who collaborate in performing and recording original arrangements of piano compositions by Beethoven, Mozart and Debussy. Experiencing reciprocity, vulnerability and trust, the presenters advocate for listening and mutuality in musicking.
Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Connecticut
Dr. Austina Lee is an Assistant Clinical Professor and Director of School-University Partnerships at the Neag School of Music, University of Connecticut. Dr. Lee’s research interests include cultural responsiveness, authentic connection, punk pedagogies, pedagogy of love, and improvisation... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
Session should be about music education in collectivity and how these music practices are grounded to communities and fragile territories. In this case, music is seen not only as an art, but also as a tool for social improvement and empoverment.
Giovanni Conelli is a musicologist who graduated from University of Milan, with a dissertation on contemporary performance in Anselm Kiefer’s adaptation of Strauss’s Elektra at Teatro San Carlo in Naples. In 2017, he published an article titled "Syrian music genres, performing... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:25pm - 12:50pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 3PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
Lo studio analizza l’impatto ambientale dello spettacolo dal vivo, evidenziando fonti di inquinamento e relative emissioni di CO₂. Propone soluzioni sostenibili, tra cui energie rinnovabili, trasporti a basse emissioni e tecnologie audio innovative. Attraverso casi studio di concerti green, dimostra il ruolo dell’innovazione nel promuovere modelli performativi sostenibili e responsabili.
Laurea Magistrale in Media Arti e Culture - Laurea in Sassofono jazz, Conservatoro Gaetano Braga Teramo
Bruno Tatulli, titolare dell'azienda Eventi sonori Service che si occupa principalmente di servizi per lo spettacolo, in particolar modo noleggio di materiali audio, video, luci ed assistenza tecnica per concerti ed eventi. All'interno dell'azienda rivesto il ruolo tecnico di Sound... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:25pm - 12:50pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
Childhood is marked by a vivid imaginative engagement with sound, rhythm, and movementthrough which children begin to communicate and make sense of their environment. Drawing onresearch on early musicality and language development, this presentation explores therelationship between music, multilingual development, and translanguaging in early childhood.Because music and language development seems to be deeply intertwined in early childhooddevelopment, playing with music can become crucial in supporting communication, emotionalattunement, and early linguistic development, particularly for children growing up with morethan one language. Building on translanguaging theory, in this presentation I consider whetherand how music can function as a translanguaging space in early childhood settings, reflecting ondata from three early childhood contexts: multilingual music classes in a university setting and ina center for refugee and asylum seekers; and interviews collected with Italian expatriate families.The aim is to illustrate how children and adults use singing, chanting, movement, playfulvocalizations along with folk and current pop songs from their culture of origin to navigate andintegrate linguistic and cultural resources.Considering the contemporary musical landscapes, shaped by globalization and digital media, itis critical to analyze children's everyday musical experiences, and understand how music maysupport the development of their identities as individuals navigating diverse linguistic andcultural environments. A comprehensive analysis of the most salient aspects involved in theconstruction of translanguaging musical spaces in early childhood contexts will serve todemonstrate how musical play enables young children, along with the significant adults aroundthem, to explore multiple languages, exercise agency, and participate actively in shared meaning-making practices. The presentation will further explore the role that popular music and culturallyrelevant songs play within the complex multilingual and multicultural contexts in which youngchildren are currently immersed.
Assistant Professor of Music Education, Queens College
Claudia Calì is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Queens College (CUNY) in NewYork. A native of Italy, Claudia Calì holds a Degree in Piano Performance from the Conservatoryof Perugia, as well as degrees from the University of Perugia and the Catholic University ofMilan... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 4:00pm - 4:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
This mixed-methods study investigates the lived experiences of women and gender-non-conforming (WGNC) students enrolled in collegiate music technology courses, with particular attention to macro- and microaggressions, classroom climate, peer and faculty interactions, and perceptions of belonging, and how those experiences shape career aspirations in industry and music education.
Assistant Professor, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
Dr. Candice Mattio is an assistant professor at the USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles, where she leads the Popular Music Teaching & Learning graduate program. She is also the Vice President of the Association for Popular Music Education (APME), a Music Will Higher Education... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 4:25pm - 4:50pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
Have you heard Bluegrass-Grunge, Ska-EDM, or Funk-Irish Jig? This research presentation explores undergraduate music education majors’ experiences, discoveries, and musical products that influenced their perspectives on learning approaches, non-institutionalized musics, culturally valid performances, and intercultural competencies.
Area Director of Music Education, California State University, Long Beach
Tamara T. Thies, PhD is Area Director of Music Education for the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music and Co-Coordinator of Music Education for the Single Subject Credential Program in the College of Education at California State University, Long Beach. Currently, she is the Music Education in Higher Education Rep... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 5:00pm - 5:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 3PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
The study explores the role of TikTok in Gen Z’s identity construction and their artistic-musical expressiveness. Using digital ethnography and thematic analysis of PoV videos, it examines short musical performances to highlight their community-building dynamics, through music, and its implications in the field of music education.
independent researcher, Università degli Studi Roma Tre
Teacher and singer, she holds a degree in modern philology and a degree in music education. She completed a Master's degree in Artistic Research in Music at Conservatorio Santa Cecilia in Rome. Her education path has been enriched by international experiences, including an Erasmus... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 5:00pm - 5:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
An action research case study showing how structured, activity-based tasks in aSound Design and Creative Synthesis module increased engagement and improvedassessment submission. Attendees will gain evidence-based strategies to energisepopular music technology teaching and foster sustained, student-centredparticipation.
For nearly a decade, I have created charts for the students in my bands. Since the charts proved successful in the classroom, I recently launched a publishing company. This journey into popular music publishing revealed surprising insights about copyright law, U.S. music history, and how to better support popular music educators.
Dr. Tom Zlabinger is an Associate Professor of Music at York College in New York City and a leading figure in popular music education, serving as Founding President of the Association of Popular Music Education's New York Chapter (APME-NY). With a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 5:25pm - 5:50pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
