Call for Proposals — Online Submission Open: 2026 Biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference

Submit a Proposal Online – January 19 to February 23, 2026

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) 2026 Biennial Music Research and Teacher Education Conference will take place September 30–October 3, 2026, at the Hilton Long Beach, in Long Beach, California. NAfME welcomes the participation of future, current, and retired music educators, music teacher educators, administrators, and community and corporate partners who are passionate about the critical role of music education for all. All research topics are welcome including, but not limited to, those related to NAfME’s Mission, Vision, Belief Statement and Strategic Plan and A Blueprint for Strengthening the Music Teacher Profession. Attendees will benefit from current research, policy discourse, and dialogue concerning the human experience in music teaching and learning.

How to Submit a Proposal

Please review the following information carefully as various requirements have changed from previous years. Follow these steps to submit a proposal.

1. Review the call for submissions (developed by SRME and SMTE and distributed August 13, 2025). This provides an overview, mentions the type of submission formats, and includes a link to NAfME’s Research Publication/Presentation Code of Ethics.
2. Review how to create an account in the OpenConference proposal submission platform and note key information you will need to have ready for when you submit your proposal.

When you are ready to submit a proposal, click on the Submit a Proposal button below.

Please note that the deadline to submit a proposal is no later than 11:59 pm Pacific time on February 23, 2026. All proposals must be finalized and submitted online by this deadline.

 

2026 Biennial Music Research and Teacher Education Conference Planning Committee

• Cecil Adderley, NAfME President and Conference Chair
• Scott Sheehan, NAfME Immediate Past President
• James Daughtery, Immediate Past President, Southern Division; NAfME NEB Executive Committee Member
• Carlos Abril, Music Teacher Profession Advisory Committee Co-Chair
• SRME Conference Co-Chairs
  • Philip Hash, SRME Chair
  • Kelly Parks, SRME Chair-Elect
  • Jessica Napoles, SRME Conference Coordinator
• SMTE Conference Co-Chairs
  • Ann Marie Stanley, SMTE Chair
  • Tami Draves, SMTE Chair-Elect
  • Brian Weidner, SMTE Conference Chair
• Western Division and California MEA Representatives
  • Scott Hedgecock, Western Division Immediate Past President
  • Chad Zullinger, California MEA President

Staff Liaison: John Donaldson – johnd@nafme.org

Registration

Registration is not yet open. Please check back for updates.