Dr. Emily Williams Burch began teaching in 2007, including directing community choirs, teaching in public schools, training in professional development settings, and as a professor at the university level. Currently a Professor of Music at the Savannah College of Art and Design, previously, Burch was the Coordinator of Music Education at the University of South Carolina, Aiken. Dr. Burch is also the Founder/Artistic Director of >RISE Chorales (LLC) and RISE Outreach (a 501(c)(3)). Both RISE organizations provide community choirs and music programs to the city of Savannah, GA. Dr. Burch serves as chair for the ACDA National Standing Committee for Advocacy and Collaboration and as a published author, co-wrote “The Business of Choir” in 2022. Catch Dr. Burch on her podcast “Music (ed) Matters” or co-hosting “The Illuminate Podcast” wherever you listen to podcasts or follow her adventures running and pacing marathons at @elevatedrunningandpacing. Find out more at EmilyBurch.org.

image of Hilton Long Beach hotel with copy 2026 Biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference. Long Beach, California. Call for proposals due February 23, 2026. Logos for Society for Music Teacher Education and Society for Research in Music Education
From Budget to Brilliance: Building Strong Music Programs. 2026 NAfME Music Program Leaders Forum. January 29-30, 2026. Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona. Image of Delta Hotels Marriott. Logos for NAfME Council of Music Program Leaders and Arizona Annual State Music Education Conference theme Teaching with Passion, Leading with Purpose
Join the conversation on NAfME Connect. The online community for music educators.