Faculty members Lisa Huisman Koops and Nate Kruse, along with graduate students Jessica Steuver and Dennis Giotta, alumna Kelsey Kordella Giotta (CWR ‘20) and Julie Ballantyne from The University of Queensland, Australia, presented four research sessions and one poster session at the National Association for Music Education Biennial (NAfME) conference in November. 

Covering topics from career preparation for doctoral students to the influences and structuring a home musical environment, their presentations represented several research collaborations, including the experience of music teaching during COVID-19. 

According to Professor Koops (pictured left with Jessica Steuver), it was exciting to be back in person for one of the major disciplinary conferences for music education.

“Facilitating connections for current students with colleagues from across the country, including CWRU alumnus, was a definite highlight of the conference for me.”

Speaking from the student perspective, Jessica Steuver commented that being able to present at a national conference was an incredible learning experience.

“Presenting our work at NAfME among national professionals was empowering. Most importantly, receiving positive feedback from audience members who also identified as music teacher mothers, who had to navigate these identities amid the pandemic, was very validating to the importance of this study.”