Music, Dance, and Drama Workshops will be presented at Harrison High School.

Art Educators will meet for the opening reception at 8:30 am at New Rochelle High School, HOUSE 4.

For GPS, use Braemar Ave & North Ave (not 265 Clove Road, which is on the opposite side of the school).

Please park in House 4 Parking Lot.   

Band Reading Session

Patrick Murphy, Lakeland

Choral Literacy Roundtable

Anne Crozier, Rachel Heyman, and Leon Whyte, Mamaroneck

Join the Mamaroneck Secondary Choral Faculty for a collaborative session exploring practical strategies for reimagining music literacy in today’s choirs. We’ll share how we developed a literacy tool that meets the differentiated levels of our choirs without losing valuable rehearsal time. Come ready to exchange ideas and approaches, we’ll provide examples from our evolving curriculum and invite you to share your favorite strategies and materials.

Choral Reading Session 

Gabriel Evans, Ossining

Collaborative Songwriting Strategies and Projects for Secondary General Music 

Scott Test, Harrison

How to incorporate modern band instruments into general music class; ways to structure and lead a collaborative songwriting project; tools and ideas to help increase songwriting, composing, student voice in a general music class 

Devising Theatre

Christina Baurle & Cyndi Feinman, Port Chester and Rye Neck

Participants will engage in devising an original short piece of theatre in groups to present to others. The workshop will start with a few improv warm-up activities to build community and energize the group. We will then introduce the practice of devising theatre and split the participants up into two groups to create their own devised pieces from starting point to performance. We will make connections to how the activities can be implemented with students of various age levels and even how it can be used in music as well. To conclude the workshop, following group performances, we will reflect and discuss ways in which the educators can advocate for their programs.

Elementary Band Teachers Unite! 

Michael Johnson, Port Chester

A collaborative forum where elementary instrumental directors can share their tricks of the trade. There can be a range of topics such as recruitment, retension, establishing and maintaining a program where students are practicing, progressing and being held accountable for their work. Tricks of teaching early wind and brass instruction. Collaborating with grade level-homeroom teachers if there is a pull out lesson schedule. Scheduling and structuring lesson and rehearsal schedule. Programing and choosing concert literature. We can collaborate on a working document that can be shared for those attending so everyone walks away with something they can apply in their program.

Folk Dance Without Fear

Amanda Keil, Ossining

A sequential approach to folk dance, songs and dances that can be implemented right away, effective procedures and problem solving.

Fundamentals of hip-hop

Daniela O’Connor, New Rochelle

Basic hip-hop movements that all students are able to learn, either for a brain break or a small choreographic piece.

Implementing the Bornoff approach in the orchestral classroom

Mahum Qureshi, Ossining

Bornoff approach streamlines the teaching process and I want to show how people can use those skills to implement them in ensembles and repetoire preperation

Incorporating social dances into musical theater choreography

Debbie Toteda, Harrison

There are many shows that incorporate early social dances such as the charleston and the cakewalk. Knowing those dances can help create easy and appropriate choreography for all students.

Integrating AI for general music

Christopher Santiago, Croton Harmon

Prompting Large Language Models, Learning about LLM tools (there's much more than ChatGPT!), integrating platforms into General Music curriculum, and begin integrating AI literacy into course material, planning, and reimagining how we engage our field.

Interdisciplinary Projects Using Music Technology

Gary Casity Jr., White Plains City

In this hands-on session, participants will explore project design at the intersection of music, technology, and the broader world. What is the value of learning that is not limited to one sphere of knowledge? How can projects remove a sense of separation between the music classroom and the broader world? Collaborative discussion and self-directed learning are both key features of this workshop. All participants will understand how music technology can be used in interdisciplinary projects, and identify key design elements for interdisciplinary projects.

Introduction to Music Tech for the Music Classroom

Rebecca Mancuso, Eastchester

A basic understanding of Soundtrap, and the application of DAWs as a music making tool for student compositions and teacher-made tracks. An introduction to other music tech resources (such as Chrome Music Lab, Doctor Music, Incredibox, CreateAbility, GroovePizza, musictheory.net) and how to utilize them in the music classroom.

Jazz Improvisation Next Steps

Anthony Maceli, Valhalla

Moving from scales to melodies in improvisation. Learn specific techniques to help your students advance their ensemble improvisation.

NYSSMA Solo Roundtable

TJ Bastone, Harrison

In this workshop, teachers will get into like groups (band, chorus, orchestra) to share and discuss best practices for teaching NYSSMA Solos to students in our programs who DO NOT study privately outside of school. Teachers will have the opportunity to share specific scheduling & curricular practices, as well as sharing go-to solo pieces.

Percussion 101: Strategies to Engage Percussion Students in Band Class

Rob Guilford, White Plains City

All participants will walk away from the course with an understanding of what beginning percussion students need to know to be successful in band and strategies to keep them engaged during class.

Self Publishing Works with My Score by JW Pepper

Nick Feigenbaum, Ossining

Many educators take time to arrange/compose for their students and can benefit from compensation. 

Stretch and Meditation in the Classroom

Debbie Toteda, Harrison

How to design and implement a stretch class or just for personal wellness!

String Orchestra Reading Session

TJ Bastone & Elyse Mullen, Harrison and Mamaroneck

The Method Before the (Strings) Method Book

Charlie Bennett, Harrison

Hands on strategies to improve instruction

The Not-So-Dark Side

Matt Royal, Harrison

This session is targeted to teachers interested in learning more about the ins and outs of school arts leadership. The clinician will provide information on the realities of arts leadership in a school setting for the next generation of arts administrators. 

Theatre Games for Teachers

Scott Harris, New Rochelle

A class in which we learn and play a number of theatre games that you can then teach to your students. A great way to foster teamwork, warmup your bodies and voices, encourage silliness, and get your minds out of the academic mindset and into a creative space.

Trumpet Techniques: Air, Embouchure, Articulation, Fingers and lining it all up!

Denise Meltzer, Mamaroneck

Teachers will explore techniques for helping brass students develop 

Using Intentional Transitions in the Choral Classroom

Marc Beja, Byram HIlls

Using thoughtful musical transitions can help prepare a challenging musical sequence, create a through-line for your lessons, and hopefully prevent unhelpful side conversations. In this session, you will be introduced (or re-introduced) to vocal warmups, folk songs, and games that can be used more deliberately to more organically transition between repertoire and class activities.  Participants are asked to bring in some of their current repertoire, as they will collaborate with other teachers in their age group to brainstorm transitions to tighten up your lessons immediately.

Paper Manipulation/Paper Sculpture

Joanna Schomber, New Rochelle High School

Paper is an easy and very accessible medium to work with and can give a basic introduction to 3-D art to any age group and without a lot of materials.

Intro to WoodBlock Printing

Alexi Brock, New Rochelle High School

Woodblock printmaking is the oldest form of ‘relief printmaking,’ where the print comes from the surface of the block. It involves carving an image into the surface of a block of wood, rolling ink onto it, and then taking an impression or print. We will use both hand rubbing and a press. Texture techniques will be shared. Participants will get 6' x 8"  blocks, time to carve and print. Come in with a simple design of your choice.

Revitalize Storytelling Through Collage: Fresh ideas for Visual Arts Teachers

Christine Vitarello, Harrison Central School District - Harrison High School

This hands-on workshop is designed for visual arts educators eager to invigorate storytelling and creativity within their curriculum. Explore and create with innovative materials such as cold wax, gold leaf, textured paper, images, and string. Learn to combine these materials with paint to create rich, layered narratives. Spark new artistic adventures with this blend of traditional and contemporary approaches to collage!

Building a Diverse Program with a Focus on AP Art

Ron Whitehead, Ossining High School

More often than not, talk is cheap and most of us are tired of the same old presentations on equity and inclusion during professional development sessions. During this session, participants will have the opportunity to learn and discuss different strategies that have been implemented to build a more inclusive art room. Please come and learn, discuss and share ideas that have worked for you.

Teaching the Power of Creativity with Simple Exercises

Sophie Cymone Bolla, Roosevelt & Park Elementary Schools, Ossining, NY

In this session we will learn how to help students identify what creativity is, and how to practise those skills in small quick exercises or one day lessons.   

Ceramic Surface Design with Procreate and Cricut

Sarah Rowe, Harrison Central School District - Harrison High School

In this course, you will explore digital design tools and stencil techniques for ceramic surface design. We will cover how to:

• Design and produce custom ceramic stencils using a tablet, Procreate, and the Cricut machine.

• Create a stencil design in Procreate.

• Use a Cricut or similar die-cut machine creatively at various stages of the ceramic process, including greenware, bisque, and glazed pieces.

• Apply paper and vinyl stencils to add intricate detail and texture to your ceramics.

Giant Mini Museum

Kirsten Yizar, Mamaroneck School District, Mamaroneck Avenue School

Join fellow art educators for a hands-on, creative workshop that reimagines how large-scale, collaborative projects can thrive in the art classroom. Participants will explore practical strategies for guiding students through construction and design processes. Together, we’ll build a “mini-museum,” contributing original artworks or functional pieces such as seating, shelving, or display pedestals for the gallery space. The workshop will conclude with an opening reception celebrating the completed mini-museum and offering inspiration for bringing similar collaborative art experiences to your students.

Sound & Ceramics: The Easy Way to Make Whistles and Ocarinas that Work (grades 3-12)

Amy Menasche, Byram Hills High School

This workshop will provide an understanding of basic whistle and ocarina construction and how to problem-solve technical problems. Participants will learn how students can turn the basic form into something creative and sculptural, whether they are elementary, middle school, or high school students.