Keynote Speaker

Brandi Waller-Pace

"What We Can Give Our Children"

Brandi Waller-Pace (they/she) is a Fort Worth-based musician, educator, and scholar-activist. They are a twelve-year veteran public school music teacher who has written music curriculum and served as a teacher mentor. A singer and multi instrumentalist, Brandi performs jazz, neo-soul, and roots music. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Decolonizing the Music Room and, under its programming, created and organizes the Fort Worth African American Roots Music Festival. They present and consult nationally and internationally on topics including decolonizing and antiracist approaches to music education and performance, Blackness in American roots music, and educational/organizational equity. Brandi is driven by centering the narratives of oppressed people and creating reflection and equity for children in their music learning spaces and communities.

A singer and multi instrumentalist, Brandi performs jazz, neo-soul, and old time/roots music. Brandi has co-produced, curated artist lineups, and performed with Bluegrass Pride, The Bluegrass Situation, and PineCone. Their writing can be found in publications including the New York Times, The Bluegrass Situation, Music Education Journal, and The Oxford Handbook of Care in Music Education. Brandi is also Program Manager for American Composers Orchestra, Program Manager for the Black Banjo & Fiddle Fellowship and sits on the board of directors of Folk Alliance International.

Website: www.brandipacemusic.com

Instagram: @brandipacemusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandipacemusic

Our 2024 Keynote is sponsorsed by Chandrika Tandon: Love Light Laughter.