Applied music students with neurodevelopmental disabilities like ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder are increasingly prevalent in in music studios around the globe. This session provides an introduction to common disabilities, how a person's behavior and cognition are affected, and what that means for the studio music instructor. 

This workshop explores strategies for teaching piano students with ADHD. Research based interventions and practical applications are provided along with an overview of the most relevant aspects of ADHD in the context of piano study.

This workshop is a guided tour through the world of dance accompanying, focusing on improvisation techniques and common communication issues between pianist and dancers. Demonstrations of dance rhythms and creating improvisations are given. 

Florence B. Price is well known for her concert music, but her pedagogical pieces are equally exciting for piano students. Recommendations are given for integrating Price’s pedagogical pieces into contemporary piano methods and performance anthologies.

Music and speech are inextricably linked in our brains. Students develop a heightened sense of rhythm and expression by using techniques designed to make the most of the music-speech connection shared in this interactive session. 

In this session, different songwriting techniques are explored through a retrospective of the indie-synth-punk band, Karmella's Game catalogue. Using different elements as catalyst, discussion of the interrelation of lyrics, melody, and chord progressions illuminate the song-writing process. Most importantly, the session centers on finding one's own "voice" to engage with the vast tapestry of personal artistry through song.