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Conference Workshops
Sunday Oct 29 - Thurs Nov 2, 2023 virtual via Zoom
Friday Nov 3 - Sunday Nov 5, 2023 live in Boston and streamed virtually
All times are Eastern Time.
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| Saturday Nov 4, 2023 at 1:45pm - 3:00pm ET Sponsored by Songs For Teaching Alphabet Rockers is known for writing joyful, authentic songs that address tough topics for all ages. Do you want to know how we create these songs? Our creativity is rooted in listening and asking questions. Since 2015, AR has built an expertise in listening to the needs of diverse communities, creating welcoming spaces, anthems of belonging, and joyful sounds. Reflect on the art of listening and how to use it as a superpower for your songwriting and creativity with your audience. This is an interactive workshop - expect fun, creativity, questions and conversation to spark your next big song. Kaitlin McGaw's (she/her) path in anti-racism and art began as a high school student in Belmont, MA, where community dialogue, activism, and poetry framed her purpose and relationship with the world. Kaitlin is a graduate of Harvard University with a BA in Afro-American Studies. She is also a 4-time GRAMMY nominee, an artist fellow and a deeply committed partner for change, often stepping back for others to shine, and stepping up for truth and our collective humanity. Kaitlin believes radical imagination begins with the way we read, sing, and ask questions of the world with our children. She is the mother of two creative children of her own, whom she is raising with her husband Adhi. Tommy Soulati Shepherd (he/him/they) is a GRAMMY-winning artist, internationally renowned actor, playwright, composer, educator, rapper, drummer, beatboxer and music producer. Tommy (aka Emcee Soulati) is a longtime member of the performance group Campo Santo who continue to tell stories of the people and Oakland's own Antique Naked Soul-The Soundtrack for Revolution. Tommy has composed, performed and toured internationally with Marc Bamuthi Joseph, collaborating on Scourge, the break/s, Spoken World, red, black and GREEN: a blues and /peh-LO-tah/. Tommy won a 2018 Isadora Duncan Award for his composition work and is a GRAMMY Winner and 3-time GRAMMY nominee. Tommy brings love for family, art, activism and community building to all of his work. His inspiration and hope for a more joyful and equitable world is felt through the hearts of families everywhere. |
| Wednesday Nov 1, 2023 at 5:30pm - 6:45pm ET (virtual) Songwriters and teachers around the country found a common goal in the 1980's to bring music to young people that opened doors to caring, respectful cooperation and justice. Sarah Pirtle and Stuart Stotts were among dozens of people who were there from the beginning. They will provide a narrative of CMN's history by bringing together a collection of songs, stories and guest singers from the early years. Come celebrate how music in our lives continues to shape who we are as individuals and as a group. Sarah Pirtle, MEd has ten national awards for recordings made with A Gentle Wind. She is the author of Linking Up and four more peace education books using music, and has led trainings in DEI for thirty years. She is one of the central founders of CMN including creating Pass It On! Sarah received The 2007 Magic Penny Award. Her songs include "Walls and Bridges" and "My Roots Go Down among many, many others. Stuart Stotts is an author, storyteller, educator, and songwriter. He’s sung with and performed for kids and families in schools, libraries, and community settings around the world since 1984. Stuart is a Kennedy Center teaching artist and a frequent presenter at educational events, keynoting conferences as he did for CMN, and leading workshops for early childhood and elementary school teachers, librarians, and social service professionals around the country. Stuart is the author of six books for children and has released multiple recordings of music for kids and families. When he’s not traveling, he lives in LaFarge, Wisconsin. |
Education & Inclusion |
| Sunday Nov 5, 2023 at 9:00am - 10:15am ET Whether you are an early childhood music teacher or a performing artist, your student and audience populations will contain individuals with visible and invisible disabilities. Participants will learn how to engage and uplift the music makers of all abilities they interact with in various settings. Whether you are an early childhood music teacher or a performing artist, your student and audience populations will contain individuals with visible and invisible disabilities. In this workshop participants will learn how to engage and uplift the music makers of all abilities they interact with in various settings. You are invited to bring an instrument with you, this workshop will contain audience participation. Learning Targets:
Miles Douglas Wilcox is a multi-instrumentalist and music teacher with a focus on students with disabilities. He is in his eighth year at Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education, where he co-teaches music classes for young children and rock band ensemble, as well as leading the ‘ukulele ensemble and teaching private lessons. Mr. Miles teaches K-5 general and instrumental music at Ward Elementary in Newton, MA. He is currently principal violist in the Me2/ Orchestra Boston, the world’s only classical music organization created for individuals with mental illnesses and the people who support them, conducted by Ronald Braunstein. |
| Thursday Nov 2, 2023 at 4:00pm - 5:15pm ET (virtual) Popular music serves as a foundation for our everyday lives. As popular music educators, we have seen firsthand the benefits of utilizing music our students enjoy, providing opportunities for them to play, perform, and improvise. However, how do we support our students beyond active music-making? In this interactive workshop, Ashley Shabankareh, Professor of Music Therapy at Loyola University New Orleans, will guide participants in ways they can incorporate music therapy interventions into their popular music education practices. Music Therapy intersects with music education in many ways, and by incorporating music therapy, educators can support the development of functional, non-musical skills. Educators will be provided with techniques and ideas they can incorporate into their classrooms to support a variety of learners. Ashley Shabankareh (she/they) currently serves as the Director of Operations and Programs for the Trombone Shorty Foundation. In addition to their work with Trombone Shorty Foundation, Ashley is an Adjunct Professor of Music Education and Music Therapy at Loyola University, New Orleans, an Adjunct Professor of Music Education and Low Brass at Xavier University, and an Adjunct Professor of Creative Industries at Tulane University. Ashley serves as the Board President for Folk Alliance International, Vice President for the Jazz Education Network, Chapter Governor for the Recording Academy Memphis Chapter, and Board Secretary for Second Line Arts Collective. Ashley is a proud member of the Recording Academy, Jazz Education Network, and NAfME. Ashley is an avid performer and performs as both a trombonist and vocalist. Ashley has performed alongside notable musicians including Aretha Franklin, Allen Toussaint, Theresa Andersson, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and in her own projects, Marina Orchestra, Bra’s Band Brass Band, and the Asylum Chorus. |
| Saturday Nov 4, 2023 at 9:00am - 10:15am ET For the past few years, Reggie Harris and Alastair Moock have performed their program "Race and Song: A Musical Conversation" for families and kids of all ages (kindergarten through college). They'll discuss the tools and techniques they use to open up audiences, broach hard subjects, and navigate cultural and political barriers. Reggie Harris (he/him), CMN’s 2018 Magic Penny recipient, has traveled the world for over 40 years as a songwriter, storyteller and lecturer using music and the spoken word to make an impact in education, social and racial justice, the environment, faith and in human and civil rights. He is a teaching artist in the John F Kennedy Center’s CETA program, a Woodrow Wilson Scholar, and the Director of Music Education for the Living Legacy Project. He is a winner of lifetime achievement awards from Folk Alliance International (Spirit of Folk Award). Alastair Moock (he/him) is an award-winning singer-songwriter and social justice educator for all ages. He is a Grammy nominee for Best Children’s Album (2013), three-time Parents’ Choice Gold Medal winner, and recipient of the ASCAP Joe Raposo Children’s Music Award. He is also a co-founder of two anti-racist music organizations, Family Music Forward and The Opening Doors Project, as well as a charter member of The Folk Collective equity group at historic Club Passim in Harvard Square. |
Music Business |
| Saturday Nov 4, 2023 at 3:15pm - 4:30pm ET In this workshop Karen Kalafatas and Aaron Nigel Smith explore fundraising opportunities beyond crowd-funding, and share resources to help you do it. From events and sponsorships to grants, we'll explore a variety of ways to build sustainable revenue to grow your business as an independent artist. Key Learning Objectives include:
Karen Kalafatas (she/her/hers) (aka Karen K) is a singer, songwriter, educator, racial equity and social change advocate, event producer, fundraiser, and curator of joy. She is the creator and founder of early childhood Jitterbugs Music Classes™ (NYC and Greater Boston); award-winning tot-rock band Karen K & the Jitterbugs; and Kids Really Rock, the largest family music festival in the country which ran in Boston for 6 years and attracted 10,000 people annually. She is also co-founder of Family Music Forward, an artist-led racial equity advocacy organization. As a professional fundraiser, she has learned and led at Harvard University, City Year Inc, 1 World Chorus, Musical Empowerment, and other top-tier organizations focused on systems change and access to opportunities that promote individual and community well-being. She is currently raising funds for Duke University and is owner of a non-profit management consulting firm supporting mission-based organizations. Karen begins her term on the CMN Board in September, 2023! A native North Carolinian and graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Karen and her family now live in Chapel Hill, NC in a little house with too many guitars. Aaron Nigel Smith (he/him), CMN’s 2022 Magic Penny Award recipient, is a Grammy® Nominated producer and Billboard #1 recording artist who has been a serious musician since age 11, when he began performing in venues like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and Westminster Abbey with The American Boychoir. Aaron is an educator with 20 years of experience creating music curricula. In 2002, he founded FUNdamentals of Music & Movement, a fun approach to music education for preschool children. He scaled FUNdamentals to a national program and sold to RockStarts in 2012. Young Audiences, The Right Brain Initiative and Arts for Learning added Smith to their teaching artist roster in 2011, and in 2013 he was named the Sunburst Teaching Artist of the Year. Aaron and his wife Diedre, formed the non-profit 1 World Chorus with the mission of promoting peace and empowering youth internationally through the arts. More than 10,000 youth in Portland, Los Angeles, New York, Kenya & Jamaica have participated in 1 World chorus programs. 1 World Chorus released their debut album, Welcome to the Village, to critical acclaim |
| Monday Oct 30, 2023 at 4:00pm - 5:15pm ET (virtual) Sponsored by Star Forest Marketing music in the digital age can be a challenge if you don't know where to begin! When creating high quality albums, it can be disheartening when you can't reach the families you know will LOVE your work. As a recent graduate of Modern Musician's Gold Artist program, Jessa will share the top three lessons she learned along the way to growing her email list 500% and counting, finding the true fans that support her as an artist and resonate with her music. Jessa will:
Jessa Campbell is an Oregon-based performer and recording artist. Her background includes performing as a lead singer/dancer on Holland America Line world cruises, singing backup with Wayne Newton, touring nationally with the production of hit television show, "Dragon Tales Live," and headlining many festivals with her bands LDW (Talking Heads tribute) and as "Stevie Nicks" with Taken by the Sky (Fleetwood Mac Tribute). Her children's music project, Jessa Campbell & the Saplings, received a silver Parent's Choice award for her debut album "Can You Feel It." She recently released her sophomore album, "Forest Flow" which quickly landed a spot on Sirius Xm's Kids Place Live. Currently, she turns her attention towards music marketing as a recent graduate from Modern Musician's Gold Artist program. |
| Wednesday Nov 1, 2023 at 4:00pm - 5:15pm ET (virtual) While songwriters increasingly have to look for other means of revenue from their music to survive due to diminishing sales, a streaming marketplace and an over flooded internet, there are more opportunities than ever to benefit financially and gain exposure from getting your songs placed on TV, in film and games. In this workshop, Family Music Artist and Songwriter Greg Lato goes through the process of pitching your music for TV/Film placements to music supervisors including:
Greg Lato’s 2020 debut children’s album, Create My Own World, with special guest two-time Grammy winner Bill Harley, reached the Top 15 on the iTunes Children’s Music chart and won both a Family Choice Award and a Creative Child Award. Greg has recently signed a record deal with 8 Pound Gorilla Records based in Nashville. Since 2021, he is also a voting member of the Recording Academy/Grammys. Born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, Greg was surrounded by an encouraging Italian family that included his father, jazz sax player Vinny Lato, who owned an extensive vinyl collection that served as Greg’s introduction to the world of music. Identifying as a songwriter, Greg went on to compose for film, TV, and other artists, most recently co-writing with The Voice runner-up Billy Gilman. Greg received two awards from the Billboard World Song Contest, had one of his music videos air on the FUSE channel, wrote a song for a film that went to #1 on the iTunes movie charts and spent 8 months in the Top 10, has written for network TV shows, has had his songs played in McDonalds, Subway, several department stores and Planet Fitness franchises, and co-wrote the Young Survivors theme song for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation. |
| Monday Oct 30, 2023 at 7:00pm - 8:15pm ET (virtual) Does this sound like you?....
If you have been looking for a way to grow your audience online you don’t want to miss this workshop! We will share:
Mark and Tina Harris’ The Lah-Lah's Big Live Band YouTube channel has over 1.5 Million views every 48 hrs and over 574k Subscribers. The largest video has over 157 Million views and is growing. Since COVID Mark and Tina have pivoted their touring business to now be 90% online focussing on YouTube and digital music. They now help other creatives learn how to make better videos and create passive income streams online. |
| Saturday Nov 4, 2023 at 9:00am - 10:15am ET Out of the 11 children's albums Joanie Leeds has created (as well as my upcoming album), half of them are concept albums. Bringing attention to something topical through song or simply finding a theme that resonates with families in a new innovative way is not only a fantastic way to create, but also an easy way for publications, news outlets and podcasters to tell the story and will be more likely to pick your album over another. Creatively finding a topic you are passionate about and seeing it through to the end is something of a hobby of Joanie’s and she’s looking forward to sharing more about her successful practices with you!. Joanie Leeds is GRAMMY Winning, NYC based singer-songwriter, National touring artist, early childhood music educator, host of J Kids Radio Show, Holiday Hang and the Advisor to the Board for the NY Chapter of the Recording Academy. For her original children’s music, she has won 1st place in the USA Songwriting Competition, Independent Music Awards, The International Songwriting Competition, multiple Gold Parents' Choice Awards, NAPPA Gold Awards, Family Choice Awards and is a John Lennon Songwriting Award Finalist. Joanie has played at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Clearwater Festival, The Kennedy Center & Lincoln Center, Wolf Trap's Filene Center & Levitt Pavilion. Her music has been featured in The New York Times, People Magazine, Parents Magazine, Billboard, Huffington Post, NPR and The Washington Post and her music is played on Sirius/XM and FM stations world-wide. www.joanieleeds.com |
| Saturday Nov 4, 2023 at 3:15pm - 4:30pm ET As performers for live audiences, we never know what will happen during a show. Learn to love the spontaneous, the unplanned, and the surprising as we create a full musical, on the spot, improvised together without any planning. More than just very fun, improv is a study in teamwork, flexibility within structure, mutual support, and can be modified for various ages. Objectives:
Julie Be (they/them) is a Philadelphia-based multi-instrumentalist, music therapist, and activist. Their band Ants on a Log plays socially conscious music for children and other childlike people. In 2020 Julie created the "Trans & Nonbinary Kids Mix," gaining national acclaim as a landmark album in the world of intersectional media for children. The Ants’ 2023 album “Make it Myself” marked Julie’s production debut. Julie also produces music videos, including "Practice Your Pronouns," a sing-along video series promoting pronoun fluency and nonbinary visibility. Part of the founding team at Harbor Camps for transgender and nonbinary youth, Julie worked as Assistant Director for 12 years and now serves on the board. Julie is proud to be a Leeway Foundation Transformation Award recipient, recognizing artists who demonstrate a long-term commitment to social change work. @antsonalogmusic |
| Sunday Nov 5, 2023 at 9:00am - 10:15am ET In this workshop you will work together in teams and individually to access more creative flow in our everyday lives exploring how to:
Grammy Nominated Recording Artist Wendy Morgan’s (Wendy and DB) first and foremost love has always been singing and writing music. Dedicated to making the world a better place through community work with not for profits, teaching and using her music, art and creativity to enrich lives and help others. Wendy has been writing, recording, performing, and touring with Wendy and DB, the award winning Kindie Duo. With Darryl Boggs and SaulPaul, Wendy initiated CMN’s Be The Change Affinity Group that continues its work today. |
| Thursday Nov 2, 2023 at 7:00pm - 8:15pm ET (virtual) One cannot deny the global impact, influence and relevance Hip Hop has had on us all since its emergence in the early 70's to today. This workshop will give us a deeper understanding of its roots, cultural context and the way it happened musically for it all to be made possible. Including:
Let's relive it and re-create it! Eugene "GeNie" Baffoe is a freestyle Hip Hop dancer, DJ, educator, and filmmaker from Montreal Québec. He has been studying Hip Hop Culture for over a decade, teaching, performing and competing all over the world. GeNie is the co-creator and director of Our Scene the Movie, a documentary Film on the history of Winnipeg's Hip Hop Dance community. The film can be viewed for free on YouTube. As the Director of B.O.S.S. Dance Team, he has directed and choreographed 2 Winnipeg Blue bomber Canadian Footable League halftime shows, 3 opening sequences for WeDay with several dance battle wins, judging credentials and instructional seminars under his belt across Canada and the U.S.A. GeNie is a high energy performer, instructor and educator dedicated to authentically delivering the culture to his audiences and students in class. |
| Saturday Nov 4, 2023 at 1:45pm - 3:00pm ET David & Jenny will describe the process that they went through to write musicals, and then to get them produced. Topics include:
TWO OF A KIND, David & Jenny Heitler-Klevans, are long-time CMN members, and they perform and record together as Two of a Kind, an award-winning musical duo based in the Philadelphia area. Two of a Kind has released 10 CDs and 1 DVD, garnering over 20 national awards. David & Jenny have written 2 musicals: "The World is Not Your Garbage Can", an environmental musical for kids, and "Hidden", based on the true story of a hidden child in France during WWII. |
Our CMN annual conference is now over 30 years old!! Every year it gets bigger and better, creating many opportunities for performers, educators, songwriters, librarians, and families—all those who love music for children—to gather. Together, we connect and reconnect and fill our hearts with laughter and song by sharing songs, ideas, resources and information. Looking forward to seeing you in 2023, #cannotwait! |