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About the Event

Presenters: Rich Tengowski, Lance Jones, Melissa Jmaeff

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Join members of NAfME’s Small Schools Initiative Task Force and other music educators serving small schools and rural communities throughout the United States for the first of three interactive town halls focusing on celebrating the small school experience. This event will feature short presentations from experienced small school music educators that will focus on how small schools can provide an exemplary music education. Small school educators will have the opportunity for networking, discussion, and community building; and opportunities to gain a variety of actionable practical tips and strategies to support your teaching. Teaching music at small schools affords unique opportunities and benefits. Come celebrate the small-school music education experience and share your successes, ideas, and questions with other small school music teachers throughout the United States.

Richard Tengowski headshot

Richard Tengowski has been teaching bands and general music for more than 30 years for the School District of Kohler in Kohler, Wisconsin. He received his B.M. in Music Education from St. Norbert College and his M.M. from Northwestern University. He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor in Music at the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan teaching applied clarinet and saxophone. In addition to chair of the Small Schools Initiative Task Force, he serves as NAfME’s North Central Division President and has held several leadership positions for related music educator associations in Wisconsin.

Melissa Jmaeff teaches music in small public schools in Douglas County, Oregon. In 2018 she was awarded the Sutherlin Educator of the Year for her work rebuilding the band and choir programs for the district. She graduated from Humboldt State University with degrees in flute performance and music education and is working on a master’s degree from Kent State University. She is a songwriter and recording artist having self-produced and toured behind three studio albums of original Americana/blues music.

Lance Jones is a music educator at West Branch Area School District in Morrisdale Pennsylvania, where he teaches grades 5-12 instrumental music, eighth grade general music, high school music electives, and serves as the high school arts department chair.  In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Lance also hosts The Backwoods Bandroom, a podcast dedicated to celebrating music in small schools. He is an active clinician/conductor and has contributed articles to PMEA News and Teaching Music Publications.

January 2025 Teaching Music

Start Date

November 08, 2023

End Date

November 08, 2023

Start and End Time

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm (ET)

Event Category

  • Live Virtual
  • Town Hall

School Type

  • Size
  • Small


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