Welcome to the 2026 ECMMA Biennial Convention
June 28–30, 2026 | University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND, USA
Welcome, music makers and movement advocates!
We are so glad you're here. Whether you're a returning ECMMA friend or discovering our community for the first time, we invite you to join us for three days of inspiring learning, joyful connection, and meaningful conversation about the work that matters most — nurturing young children through music and movement.
Agenda
Day - 01
07:00
Registration & Check In
07:00
Registration & Check In
08:30
TBD
Jay Broeker
Jay Broeker
Jay Broeker has taught general music to children for over 35 years and presents workshops nationally in the areas of music creativity, curriculum development, and effective teaching practice. Each summer, he teaches in the graduate teacher education programs at the University of St. Thomas and the University of Kentucky. Jay’s commissioned choral works have been performed by numerous state and national honor choirs and are published by Boosey & Hawkes and Santa Barbara Music Publishing.
Wendy Valerio
Associate Professor, University of South Carolina
Wendy Valerio
Associate Professor, University of South Carolina
Dr. Wendy Valerio is Associate Professor of Music and Director of the Children's Music Development Center (CMDC) at the University of South Carolina where she teaches graduate and undergraduate music methods courses and conducts early childhood music development research which has been sponsored by The Texaco Foundation and The Presser Foundation. Her work is featured in Musical Experience in Our Lives: Things We Learn and Meanings We Make (Rowman & Littlefield), Listen to Their Voices (Canadian Music Educators Association), Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Music Play: Bah Bah, Bebop, Beethoven (GIA), and she is co-author of Music Play (GIA), and Jump Right In: The Music Series (GIA).
After teaching elementary general music in the public schools of Lawrence, KS, Valerio received MM and PhD degrees from Temple University. She holds Kodaly Level 1 and Level III Orff Schulwerk certification, and is a member of the International Society for Music Education, Music Educators National Conference, Society for Music Teacher Education, Alliance for Active Music Making, Gordon Institute for Music Learning Mastership Certification Faculty, American Orff Schulwerk Association where teaches movement and special topics for Orff Schulwerk Teacher Training Levels I and II.
Day - 02
08:00
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Event Sponsors
FAQS
Yes, you’ll need to fill out our registration form to gain access to the event. Registration will be open on April 1, 2025.
There will be a small registration fee that includes the cost of the conference and meals. Be sure to check back soon for official pricing!
Yes, please bring a computer or tablet for note-taking and interactive activities.
For most sessions, you will not need to pre-register; however, we do have at least two workshops that will require pre-registration. A pre-registration link will be available upon conference registration confirmation.
About the Convention
The Early Childhood Music and Movement Association Biennial Convention is the premier gathering for early childhood music and movement practitioners, researchers, and advocates from around the world. Every two years, we come together to share ideas, explore new research, and strengthen the community of professionals dedicated to enriching the lives of young children through purposeful music and movement experiences.
The 2026 convention will be held at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, USA and will feature keynote presentations from leading voices in the field, hands-on workshops you can bring directly back to your practice, and research sessions that bridge the gap between scholarship and the classroom. From seasoned educators to emerging researchers, this convention offers something meaningful for everyone who believes in the power of music from the very beginning of life.
The Early Childhood Music and Movement Association Biennial Convention is the premier gathering for early childhood music and movement practitioners, researchers, and advocates from around the world. Every two years, we come together to share ideas, explore new research, and strengthen the community of professionals dedicated to enriching the lives of young children through purposeful music and movement experiences.
The 2026 convention will be held at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, USA and will feature keynote presentations from leading voices in the field, hands-on workshops you can bring directly back to your practice, and research sessions that bridge the gap between scholarship and the classroom. From seasoned educators to emerging researchers, this convention offers something meaningful for everyone who believes in the power of music from the very beginning of life.
Reading Science Academy, an online community where over a thousand educators support each other to improve results in their schools.
2026 Theme: Building Relationships and Community
Music has always been one of humanity's most powerful tools for connection. This year's convention theme — Building Relationships and Community — invites us to explore the many ways that early childhood music and movement experiences bring people together: across cultures, across generations, across languages, and across disciplines.
Sessions will explore questions like:
- How do shared musical experiences strengthen the bond between caregivers and children?
- What does culturally responsive early childhood music practice look like in action?
- How can music and movement support social-emotional development and peer relationships?
- In what ways does communal music-making connect children to their environments and communities?
We believe the conversations sparked here will resonate far beyond the convention itself — in your studios, classrooms, research, and communities.
Ready to Join Us?
We'd love to see you in Grand Forks this June! Visit the Registration tab for current pricing details and registration dates. Register early to take advantage of our early bird pricing!
Come ready to sing, move, learn, and connect. We can't wait to see what we'll build together.
We'd love to see you in Grand Forks this June! Visit the Registration tab for current pricing details and registration dates. Register early to take advantage of our early bird pricing!
Come ready to sing, move, learn, and connect. We can't wait to see what we'll build together.
Well-Being Headliner: Kelli Odden
Please welcome Dr. Kelli Odden as our Well-Being Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Dr. Kelli Odden is the Dean and Division Chair of the Division of Education at Mayville State University. Dr. Odden has 33 years and counting of teaching experience in elementary, special education, early childhood, and as an administrator. She teaches diversity, special education, and early childhood courses at Mayville State University.
Dr. Odden is actively involved in the National Association for Early Childhood Teacher Educators as the organization’s President-Elect. Her research interests focus on social and emotional guidance in early childhood, adult mental health, educational leadership, humor as a teaching strategy, and relationship building as a teaching tool. Working with professionals in the field and pre-service teachers daily is an absolute joy!
Speakers
Wendy Valerio
Associate Professor, University of South Carolina
READ BIOWendy Valerio
University of South Carolina
Dr. Wendy Valerio is Associate Professor of Music and Director of the Children's Music Development Center (CMDC) at the University of South Carolina where she teaches graduate and undergraduate music methods courses and conducts early childhood music development research which has been sponsored by The Texaco Foundation and The Presser Foundation. Her work is featured in Musical Experience in Our Lives: Things We Learn and Meanings We Make (Rowman & Littlefield), Listen to Their Voices (Canadian Music Educators Association), Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Music Play: Bah Bah, Bebop, Beethoven (GIA), and she is co-author of Music Play (GIA), and Jump Right In: The Music Series (GIA).
After teaching elementary general music in the public schools of Lawrence, KS, Valerio received MM and PhD degrees from Temple University. She holds Kodaly Level 1 and Level III Orff Schulwerk certification, and is a member of the International Society for Music Education, Music Educators National Conference, Society for Music Teacher Education, Alliance for Active Music Making, Gordon Institute for Music Learning Mastership Certification Faculty, American Orff Schulwerk Association where teaches movement and special topics for Orff Schulwerk Teacher Training Levels I and II.
Jay Broeker
READ BIO
Jay Broeker
Jay Broeker has taught general music to children for over 35 years and presents workshops nationally in the areas of music creativity, curriculum development, and effective teaching practice. Each summer, he teaches in the graduate teacher education programs at the University of St. Thomas and the University of Kentucky. Jay’s commissioned choral works have been performed by numerous state and national honor choirs and are published by Boosey & Hawkes and Santa Barbara Music Publishing.
Multicolumn
Expert Speakers
Join industry experts for insightful sessions and networking opportunities.
Career Opportunities
Discover career-changing opportunities with top companies at our event.
Exclusive Access
Register now and unlock exclusive access to workshops and keynotes
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.
STEM Headliner: Bill Bass
We are excited to announce Bill Bass as our STEM Headliner for the 2025 Pages & Pathways Conference.
Bill Bass is an award-winning educator. He currently serves as the Innovation Coordinator for Instructional Technology, Information, Library Media, and Federal Programs in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO.
Bill focuses on the systemic use of technology to break down barriers to student learning experiences. As an international speaker, writer, and professional developer, he focuses on systemic and sustainable integration of technology into classrooms at all grade levels.