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.
Nel campo “50 Word Session Description” di solito vogliono una mini‑presentazione della sessione, in stile divulgativo, rivolta ai partecipanti (non ai revisori). Ti propongo una bozza in inglese di 50 parole circa, basata sull’abstract sui solfeggi storici: Using seventeenth- to nineteenth-century solfeggio sources, this session explores how historical materials can inform today’s music teaching. Participants will discover contrapuntal and spoken solfeggio traditions and discuss practical strategies, opportunities, and challenges in adapting these sources for lower secondary school classrooms and for developing students’ musical literacy and creativity.
Professor of History and Historiography of Music, Conservatorio di Musica "Licinio Refice" di Frosinone
Paolo Sullo graduated with honours in 2005 in Performing Arts, Music and Theatre Studies (Discipline delle Arti, della Musica e dello Spettacolo) at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”. He obtained diplomas in Violin, Viola and Composition from the Conservatorio “San Pietro... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:25am CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
A discussion centred around the results of two recent surveys conducted to investigate what type of training may still be needed for UK based Popular Music (PM) singing teachers, and to assess their thoughts on and experiences of teaching PM singing styles at school and Higher Education (HE) levels.
Doctoral student, Royal Northern College of Music, UK
A professional singer of Popular Music (PM) genres for over 30 years, and a teacher of them for 20 years, Jo’s research is driven by a desire to promote the value of PM voice training and elevate its educational status in the UK. Her PhD - supervised by RNCM Music Education specialists... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:25am - 10:50am CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
This session explores how political conflict has shaped Lebanon’s popular music industry and everyday listening practices. Highlighting music as a resource for memory, resilience, and community, it offers educators practical strategies for culturally responsive teaching, critical listening, and approaches that connect music learning to lived social and cultural experiences.
Carla Mattar (also published as Carla Ross), is a Canadian-based singer-songwriter, music educator, and emerging researcher currently completing a Master’s degree in Music Production at Leeds Beckett University. She holds undergraduate degrees in Music and Education from the University of Calgary and has three years of exp... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:25am CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
This demonstration introduces mindfulness-based, embodied listening practices for music educators and performers. Through a short experiential exercise and guided reflection, participants explore how presence, awareness, and energy can support performance readiness, expressive confidence, and authentic musical voice in teaching, rehearsal, and performance contexts.
Dr. In Psychology | mindfulness & music therapy practitioner
Raffaela is a dr.i inpsychology specialized in music therapy. She works with mindfulness and healing-oriented practices, using sound, breath, and body awareness to support presence and emotional balance. She explores how energy, listening, and awareness can help people connect more... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:25am - 11:50am CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
In this session, we will present the results of a joint educational and research project involving children from three primary schools with a high density of migrants. We will show how inclusive and participatory musical activities led to the development of social skills, such as group solidarity, self-expression and autonomy.In this session, we will present the results of a joint educational and research project involving children from three primary schools with a high density of migrants. We will show how inclusive and participatory musical activities led to the development of social skills, such as group solidarity, self-expression and autonomy.
Carlo Nardi is lecturer in music education and sociology at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. He obtained his PhD in musicology from the University of Trento with a thesis on audio mastering. His research interests focus on the use of technology from a sensory perspective, authorship... Read More →
Johann van der Sandt completed his studies at the University of Pretoria. Before his appointment as Professor of Music education at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano in Italy he was Professor of Choral conducting at the University of Pretoria and Choir director and Musical rector... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
The journey of Antonio Boezio and Bobo Studios describes the transformation of a small recording studio in Southern Italy into an international music university campus, combining British education, artistic production, entrepreneurship and territorial development, showing how music can generate cultural, professional and social growth within peripheral contexts.
Antonio Boezio is a musician, entrepreneur and educator with over twenty years of experience in music education, artistic production and the development of international academic projects. As founder and didactic director of Bobo Studios – MAST Music, he has led the organisation’s... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 3PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
In many cases, the inclusion of popular music course offerings does not necessarily represent a move towards equitable access to music education. This presentation explores this phenomenon with particular attention to the delineation and marginalization of students according to class and ability. In many cases, the inclusion of popular music course offerings does not necessarily represent a move towards equitable access to music education. This presentation explores this phenomenon with particular attention to the delineation and marginalization of students according to class and ability as well as race and gender.
M. W. Degan is a public-school music teacher in Massachusetts, U.S.A., and a doctoral candidate in Music Education at Boston University, where he also earned Masters in Music Education and Ethnomusicology. His research interests include investigating how individuals conceptualize... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:25pm - 12:50pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
Today’s songwriters must navigate not only the musical aspect of the craft, but also branding, publishing, intellectual property, and digital distribution. For educators, bridging these domains presents both a challenge and an opportunity: how can we teach students to sustain creative lives in an ever-evolving industry without sacrificing artistry?
This session examines “The Business of Songwriting,” a pedagogical model that integrates career development and industry knowledge directly into creative coursework. Drawing from experience teaching this course at Berklee, this session outlines a holistic approach to helping students understand their songs as both art and assets. It will explore strategies for encouraging entrepreneurial thinking that supports long-term creative practice.
Participants will receive adaptable lesson structures, and reflection frameworks that can be implemented across educational settings. Discussion will include how to foster authentic artistic identity within commercial contexts, how to teach collaboration as a professional skill, and how to cultivate financial and creative sustainability.
By reimagining songwriting education through an integrated creative-business lens, educators can empower emerging writers to build resilient, self-sustaining careers grounded not only in musical excellence but in an understanding of how songs live, move, and earn in the world.
Professor/CEO, Berklee College of Music/Songwriting for Music Educators
Kat Reinhert is a genre-defying songwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and bandleader. She has released five independently produced albums and collaborated with artists like Anat Fort, Jo Lawry, Ross Pederson, Michael Leonhart, Josh Logan, Stephen Lit, and David Cook. Her songwriting... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:25pm - 12:50pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 3PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
Hidden meanings are ubiquitous in popular styles, embedded in the musical DNA of American music. This presentation will survey types of meaning created through symbols, double entendre, and coded messages contained within popular styles, and how their methods have been used to engage audiences over time.
Dr. Robert Sabin is a double bassist, composer, author, and educator specializing in jazz and contemporary music. He has appeared alongside such artists as Oliver Lake, Jean-Michel Pilc, Dick Oatts, Donny McCaslin, Ingrid Jensen, Louis Bonilla, Tony Moreno, Rich Perry, John Yao... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 4:00pm - 4:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
Music pedagogy attributed educational value to widely shared musical practices. Popular music, often learned within informal educational context, played an important role in early musical development. However, popular music was frequently neglected and marginalised in educational discourse. The paper aims to shed light on this phenomenon through an interdisciplinary approach at the intersection of history and music education in the Italian context, with particular focus on the pedagogical framework of the twentieth century.
Full Professor of Music History Pedagogy, Conservatory of Benevento
She holds various M.A. diplomas in musical disciplines (Music Education, Piano, Harpsichord, Fortepiano, Early Music, Chamber Music) and has specialized in Music Education (University of Padua), Scientific Research Methodology for Music Education (Accademia Filarmonica di Bologna... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 4:00pm - 4:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 3PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
This presentation introduces HI–AI–MI, a human-centered framework for ethical AI integration in popular music education. Grounded in qualitative research, the model positions AI as a creative partner guided by human judgment in service of musical identity, agency, and culturally situated popular music practice.
Dean of the Faculty of Music Education, Levinsky- WIngate Academic College
Amira Ehrlich is a Dean of the Faculty of Music Education and Chair of Graduate Studies in Music Education at Levinsky- Wingate Academic College in Tel Aviv. Amira is a music educator with more than twenty years’ experience in the field of music, as a teacher, producer, and researcher. Ami... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 4:25pm - 4:50pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
The contribution offers a reflection on the educational concept in Sardinian culture, expressed in the traditional music heritage of songs and nursery rhymes dedicated to children. This repertoire is analyzed to define musical structures and educative function, and an operative didactic proposal is articulated, in acculturation and identity recovery perspective
Maria Bonaria Monne teaches Music at the Middle School, and she is currently president and artistic director of the DIAPASON association in Nuoro.She is the author of research works on traditional Sardinian music, and he performs both as a solo soprano and as a choir conductor. She... Read More →
Professor, Conservatorio "GPL da Palestrina" Cagliari; Conservatorio "G.Braga" Teramo, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna
Elisabetta Piras teaches Music Pedagogy for Music Education at the “GP da Palestrina” Conservatory in Cagliari. She is an adjunct professor and subject expert in “Methodology of Music Education” at the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, and collaborates with many... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 4:25pm - 4:50pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 3PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
The purpose of this study was to examine research on the practices and perspectives of integrating innovative music learning pedagogyinto the learning environment to explore its rich variety of genres, stories, cultures, and creative expressions into the music classroom.
Professor, Coordinator of Music Education, Loyola University New Orleans
Edward McClellan is the Rita O. Huntsinger Distinguished Professor of Music, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at Loyola University New Orleans. Dr. McClellan is a member of the Editorial Boards for the International Journal of Music Education, Action, Criticism... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 5:00pm - 5:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 3PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
This presentation explores how embedding meaningful choice into project briefs can strengthen student agency and foreground the creative process in popular music education. Through practical examples, the session shows how flexible assessment design supports authentic music-making, reflective practice, and deeper student ownership of learning.
Chief Examiner for Music Performance and Production, University of the Arts London Awarding Body
Nicolas Sykes is the Chief Examiner for Music Performance and Production at UAL Awarding Body, overseeing assessment, moderation, and qualification design. As a performer, composer, and educator, he has contributed to curriculum development and innovative course design in music education... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 5:00pm - 5:25pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
This paper frames the audiovisual essay as an educational and epistemic resource within Musical Collaborative Action Research. Through three case studies (musical heritage recovery, historiographical analysis, and video art) it demonstrates how videographic editing catalyzes critical thinking, validates embodied musical and sonic knowledge, and ensures the effective documentation and dissemination of the musical artistic process. // Il presente studio inquadra l'Audiovisual Essay come risorsa educativa ed epistemica nella Ricerca-Azione Collaborativa musicale. Attraverso tre casi studio (recupero patrimoniale, analisi storiografica e videoarte), dimostra come il montaggio videografico catalizzi il pensiero critico, validi la conoscenza musicale incarnata e garantisca l'efficace documentazione e diffusione del processo artistico.
Associate Professor, Università degli studi Roma Tre
Associate Professor at Roma Tre University (since 2024). She holds PhDs in Music History (2013) and Education (2023) from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), supported by competitive fellowships and contracts (FPU, CAM, and UAM), including research residencies in France and... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 5:25pm - 5:50pm CEST Liceo Ovidio - Room 4PIAZZA XX SETTEMBRE 13, 67039 SULMONA (AQ)
