Conference Workshops

The Power of Prosody: Building Readers Through Meter

Monday September 22, 2025 at 6:15pm

Singing can be a great tool for developing early literacy skills like vocabulary and phonological awareness. Our workshop will focus on the relationship between these skills and prosody – the way the words and melody of a song work together. Participants will learn how to evaluate songs for their use of prosody, and how to use prosody in their own songwriting to turn any song into a reading song.

Presenters: Evalyn and Monty Harper

Kidlit 101: Navigating Traditional and Self-Publishing

Monday September 22, 2025 at 7:30pm

Navigating the publishing industry can be daunting, but our panelists are here to help! Julie Hedlund will break down the basics of traditional publishing, including polishing your manuscript, researching agents, and preparing a query package. Nathalia will share her experiences of turning a song into a bilingual book and the process she used to self-publish. 

Presenters: Julie Hedlund and Nathalia  

Music Production (at home!)

Tuesday September 23, 2025 at 5:00pm

In this home recording workshop, LA-based producer/engineer Ryan Benyo will guide attendees through the various aspects of setting up and utilizing a home recording studio. Discussions will include computers, recording software/hardware, microphones, home acoustics, speakers/headphones, & more. Basic recording techniques will also be discussed including mic techniques, workflow, signal flow and troubleshooting. This workshop is perfect for beginning students with no prior recording experience or equipment set-up as well as those already recording at home who wish to better understand the tools they already have at their disposal. 3 learning objectives include: what are the basic tools I need to get good quality recordings at home, how can I best use the tools I already have without falling into the "buying more equipment" trap, and finally, which home recording techniques are ideal for the sound I want to achieve utilizing the space and tools I already have.

Podcast Plans with Podcast Pals

Burbling podcast ideas? Podcast and production curiosity? Share ideas, connect with collaborators, get inspired and collect some tips-n-tricks with Andrew and Polly, whose podcast “Ear Snacks” just celebrated a decade of sharing the thoughts and voices of children!

Presenters: Andrew and Polly

AI Yi-Yi! Panel

Join us for a multi-faceted discussion about the opportunities, threats, and ethical considerations around the use of AI. Panelists will share personal experiences, advocacy action items, and ideas about how to manage workflow while respecting creators’ rights.

Moderated by: Kaitlyn McGaw of Alphabet Rockers

Our Global Community

Wednesday September 24, 2025 at 5:00pm

This relationship building has seen a distinct increase in the recognition of our industries and has become the backbone of how we operate. We believe wholeheartedly in the global community and would love the opportunity to share how we have made it work, the hurdles, and the success' and to bring our communities a little closer together. 

Presenters: Benny Thatcher and Claudia Robin Gunn

Singing for Justice: Screening of Faith Petric Documentary

Wednesady September 24, 2025 at 7:30pm

Join us for a viewing of the one-hour documentary film Singing for Justice, followed by a discussion with the co-director/producer and short sing along. The objectives are to inspire/recharge musicians and activists through Faith Petric's history of merging folk music and social justice; to educate teachers and the public about the role of song in the social movements she nurtured during her lifetime (1915-2013); and to suggest ways to incorporate this history and music into performance and teaching.

Presenter: Estelle Freidman

Challenge your Listeners

So you have written a great children's song and you want to record it, you want to win the ear of the adults in these children's lives. In this workshop we will explore how to make a great children's song sound good enough to fool the adults that they are not listening to children's music.

Presenter: Josh Friedman

Time Out: Go In

Drop in with Alphabet Rockers for a restorative hour of reflection, journaling and movement forward. We know that each of us brings all of ourselves to our work - and that we bring our music to our families, communities and to our core selves. Take the time to check in - where are you headed in your career path? Is there something brave you are considering as an artist or in your personal life? Let's activate our radical imaginations, build community and put into practice the learning from this year.

Presenters: Alphabet Rockers

Come on In! Watch an Elementary Music Class in Action

Saturday September 27, 2025 at 9:00am

Presenter: Katie Todd

Writing Music for Kids—with Kids!

Children are our mission, our audience, AND our greatest creative resource, so let them help write the songs! Grammy-nominated artist and educator Fyütch shares how he co-creates music with kids, including his daughter Aura V and students from his 15 years in the classroom. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or teaching artist, you’ll learn how to turn kid-led ideas into meaningful, high-quality songs that children actually want to sing.

Presenters: Fyütch and Aura V

Selling Yourself and Your Music: Developing an Elevator Speech

Join Grammy nominated Children’s Music Artist Wendy Morgan in this workshop to help you develop a compelling Elevator Pitch for your next project. In this interactive workshop you will also have the opportunity to role play with your colleagues and will leave confident and prepared to pitch your dream project.

Presenter: Wendy Morgan of Wendy and DB

Using Children's Music to Support Children and Families from All Faith Communities

Saturday September 27, 2025 at 10:30am

In this workshop participants will be able to:

1. Articulate goals for creating a classroom environment that welcomes and honors children and families from all faith communities
2. Identify classroom practices (including musical ones) that can be perceived as religiously oppressive.
3. Recognize songs that can be used to teach children about different faith communities in ways that are accurate and respectful.

Presenter: Mara Sapon-Shevin

Who Did What Now?

Join multiple Grammy award winning artist and producer Lucy Kalantari to learn about music credits and why they’re important in this digital world-In the world of children’s music, community and collaboration are at the heart of what we do. But in today’s fast-moving digital music landscape, it’s easy to overlook one crucial piece: credits. Drawing on over 20 years of releasing music, she will share how taking the time to properly credit your collaborators helps us lift each other up—so we can all grow and thrive together. In this session, we’ll explore how crediting works, why it matters more than ever, and what to do when things go wrong. Whether you're a solo artist or part of a larger team, this workshop will empower you to bring intention and care to every release.

Presenter: Lucy Kalantari

Call And Response: Writing Children's Hip-Hop Songs

Do you have dreams of creating a Hip Hop track for your next release? Or maybe you want to teach your students how to create their own!  Learn about how to write and perform catchy tracks with upbeat messages and sticky choruses in this songwriters workshop with chart topping family music artist Mega Ran!

Presenter: Mega Ran

Reframing Support for Children Through Music

Saturday September 27, 2025 at 3:15pm

Led by Nicole Porter-Former director of child therapy after the Sandy Hook tragedy and founder of the Emerald Sketch Art Therapy Response Team-this workshop empowers music educators with tools to better support children in group learning settings. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of how creative development and traumatic memory works in children, and how music can both awaken difficult emotions as well as help integrate them. Leave with joyful, mindful strategies to keep all ages engaged and supported.

Presenter: Nicole Porter

Make It a Show: Turning Songs into Stories & Setups into Success

In children’s music, it’s not just about great songs—it’s about delivering a show that tells a story, captivates your audience, and leaves presenters wanting more.In this fun and practical session, Aaron Bertram from Kids Imagine Nation breaks down how to craft a professional, engaging live show—even with limited gear and budget. You’ll learn how to go beyond just a setlist and create an experience that feels seamless, intentional, and bookable.

Presenter: Aaron Bertram