View Brochure for more information about the conference, speakers and workshops.
Find out more about Scottish Instrumental Music Teaching Network here.

Session 1 – 9:15 – 10:30
Keynote – Anita Collins
The Unique Power of Music
With a welcome from Prof. John Wallace & Scottish Instrumental Music Teaching Network
Dr Anita Collins is an award winning educator, researcher and writer in the field of brain development and music learning. She is internationally recognized for her unique work in translating the scientific research of neuroscientists and psychologists to the everyday parent, teacher and student.

Session 2 – 10:45 – 11:40
Session 2A 10:45 – 11:40
Concert Band Rehearsal Strategies
Wind Brass Percussion
Yamaha Outreach Australia
Prof Rob McWilliams
Session 2B 10:45 – 11:40
Building Resilience, Teamwork & Confidence
Scottish Schools Pipes & Drums Trust
Paul Brown – Drumming
Tam Brown – Piping
Session 2C 10:45 – 11:40
Beginner Group String Teaching Principles & Practice
Joelle Broad, Rachel Cooper & David Munn
Session 2D 10:45 – 11:40
Strategies for Group Guitar Teaching & More
The Joy & Necessity of Ensemble
Mike McGeary

Session 3 – 11:45 – 12:45
Session 3A 11:45 – 12:40
Group Warm Ups, Rhythm Games, Ice Breakers and more!
National Youth Choir of Scotland
Lucina Geoghegan
Session 3B 11:45 – 12:40
Supporting Young People with Additional Support Needs
Drake Music Scotland
Pete Sparkes
Session 3C 11:45 – 12:40
Strategies for successfully working with mixed instrumentation in Traditional Music
Marie Fielding
Session 3D 11:45 – 12:40
Group Song Writing Online
Lyrics, composition and some useful apps!
Tinderbox Collective
Jed Milroy

Session 4 – 13:45 – 14:40
Session 4A 13:45 – 14:40
Keep Well, Play Better
Dr Sarah Upjohn
Session 4B 13:45 – 14:40
Covid Responses & the Next Chapter
Music Education Partnership Group
Session 4C 13:45 – 14:40
Exploring Creativity in a Care Experienced setting
The Sound Lab
Naomi Clarke & Shannon Cullen
Session 4D 13:45 – 14:40
Keys to Success – Engaging Strategies for Teaching Young Piano Students
Nite Piano School
Ancuta Nite-Doyle

Session 5 – 14:45 – 15:40
Richard Michael
Making Music Without Music Stands
Described by Julian Joseph as “the UK’s greatest Jazz Ambassador”, Richard Michael BEM has an international reputation as a leading jazz pianist and educator. Many of his former students who played in Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra are now established jazz musicians in their own right.
His philosophy is that ”mistakes are cool”, and that all participants in his workshops are encouraged to “get it wrong with attitude”, as they learn the building blocks of making music without the dots.

Session 6 – 16:00
Closing Speaker
Dr. Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason
The Power of Creativity & Inclusivity
Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason is a former lecturer in English at Birmingham University. She completed a PhD and was Lecturer in English at The University of Sussex before moving to Birmingham University. Her book, ‘African Identities: Race, Nation and Culture in Ethnography, Pan- Africanism and Black Literatures’ was published in 1998. In 2020, she published House of Music: Raising the Kanneh-Masons
Kadiatu is on the Board of Trustees for ESTA String Teachers Association, The Nottingham Education Trust, Real Talk TV and Music Masters, and she is continuing to write and gives talks, interviews and lectures around the U.K. on diversity in classical music, music education, issues of race and inclusion, literature and parenting.

A big thanks to Our Partners & Sponsors and the Conference Working Group
We are looking forward to developing the Scottish Instrumental Music Teaching Network, including future events and conferences like this organised by music teachers and educators in Scotland. If would like to join or find out more, we would love to hear from you!
Click here for more info.
