by Melissa Stouffer | Feb 3, 2026 | All, Improve Your Skills
Between MMC and CMEA, the past 2 weekends have been a whirlwind of education, planning committee duties, time with friends, and learning. I thought I’d sum up my three big takeaways from the last two weekends. 1. David Frego is delightful and Dalcroze is...
by Melissa Stouffer | Apr 8, 2025 | All, Improve Your Skills, Kodaly
This is the time of year that people start considering if they want to take a levels course. But there are so many options! How do you know what to take? Here’s a little run down to help you out: Consider Your Teaching Style Different ‘methods’ have...
by Melissa Stouffer | Mar 11, 2025 | All, Improve Your Skills
Last week was an amazing time in Chicago with my OAKE family. It’s always healing for the soul to spend time with your music teacher friends and this weekend was no exception. Here are my takeaways. Connecting Elementary and Secondary I was in a presentation...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jan 21, 2025 | All, Dance/Movement, Improve Your Skills, Music Games, Musical Cultures
Since the Michigan Music Conference has been eating my life the last few weeks, I thought I’d give you a quick preview of what I’ve got coming up at my sessions at the Michigan Music Conference later this week. For those of you not in Michigan, I hope you...
by Melissa Stouffer | May 7, 2024 | Concerts, Improve Your Skills
We all had conducting courses in college but if you don’t teach an ensemble, you don’t use it as often. Maybe you feel a little out of practice, or maybe you are looking to feel more effective when you are conducting. Here are some of my best conducting...
by Melissa Stouffer | Jan 23, 2024 | All, Improve Your Skills
Music Ed conferences can be the ultimate pick me up, motivator, and idea generator. But if you come away with a million ideas and no way to make them a cohesive part of your curriculum, you risk wasting all that information. Here’s my tips to help you implement...
