Music for All: Engaging All Learners in the Accessible Music Classroom

The music classroom can easily be an environment that provides multiple ways for all students to have access to high-quality music-making. While focusing on engaging students who have higher support needs, the same strategies can be used to enhance learning for everyone at the same time. Participants will break down who all of the students are who participate in our music classrooms and how we can create a culture of inclusion and belonging for everyone.

By incorporating Universal Design for Learning (UDL), task analysis, assistive technology, multisensory learning, conceptual learning, and a strength-based model, participants will see how all students can find success musically. Participants will see practical examples including accessible music literacy, accessible singing, accessible musical theatre, and developing independence and lifelong learning. Participants will be able to empower their students by creating a musical environment that showcases each student’s strengths and recognizes them as a whole child.

Brian J. Wagner-Yeung is the Neurodiversity & Accessibility Chairperson for the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA^Ⓡ). He received his BA and MSED in music education from CUNY Queens College and an advanced certificate in autism spectrum disorders from CUNY Brooklyn College. He currently teaches for NYC Public Schools, where he has taught general music, string orchestra, and musical theater at the elementary, middle school, and high school level in various types of classroom settings. He is also an adjunct faculty member at CUNY Brooklyn College, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate coursework. As an independent educational consultant, he has presented workshops and published articles at the state, national, and international levels. His professional work focuses on neurodiversity and accessibility in musical environments, developing lifelong learning through music-making for all students, and adapting the string orchestra experience for all.

NAfME presents this live virtual event at no charge to all as a service to the music education profession. To register, you must enter your NAfME member information or create a nonmember account. After registering, check your email for instructions. A recording of this program will be available to all registrants for one week following the live event. Members can also view archived NAfME webinars in the NAfME Academy.

The views expressed are those of the presenter; they do not necessarily reflect the views of NAfME.