News

EMU Music & Dance violinist, Christipher Burton, named Culture Source's Arc Fund Awardee and receives $15,000 grant

photo of Christipher Burton playing violin
EMU Music & Dance violinist, Christipher Burton
photo of Christipher Burton playing violin

EMU Music & Dance violinist, Christipher Burton

Christipher Burton, violin performance major at Eastern Michigan University and student of Professor Daniel Foster, was recently honored as an Arc Fund Awardee, a fund affiliated with CultureSource, which is a member association for non-profit arts and cultural organizations in Southeast Michigan. The award is in the amount of $15,000, and was awarded to over 70 applicants. Congratulations, Christipher!

The Arc Fund in an ongoing investment in Southeast Michigan’s culture-workers of color. This $1.5 million initiative aims to spur growth in the careers of culture workers who have experienced historical trends of disadvantage, underrepresentation, and oppression due to their race. The initiative offers funding, professional development, and social networking opportunities to culture workers of color to those trends and help culture workers of color advance their careers. The Arc Fund was launched in collaboration with CultureSource, Ford Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, and Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.

Founded in 2007, Culturesoure (formerly known as the Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan) is a source for arts and culture in Southeast Michigan. The organization serves over 170 member organizations annually. In 2022 CultureSource acquired the national arts consulting nonprofit EmcArts, with the aim of incorporating their unique models of adaptive changemaking into our programmatic offering.


EMU Trumpet Quintet makes semi-finals of International Trumpet Guild 2025 Chamber Music Competition

photo of EMU trumpet quintet  photo of competition results from the 2025 ITG Chamber Music Competition

Congratulations to the EMU Trumpet Quintet for being selected as semi-finalists in the 2025 Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition hosted by the International Trumpet Guild (ITG)! The competition will take place at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City during the International Trumpet Guild Conference in May 27-31, 2025. Bravo to Dr. Anderson Romero's students: Nathan Bohr, Nathan Millan, Joley Payne, Abe Gorney, and Andrew Bedard. 

Created in 1975, the International Trumpet Guild is a world-wide organization of trumpeters, formed to promote communication among trumpet players around the world and to improve the artistic level of performance, teaching, and literature associated with the trumpet. The first ITG Conference was held in Bloomington, Indiana; the following year the Guild met as part of the First International Brass Congress in Montreux, Switzerland. ITG Conferences have been held every year since then, with the Second International Brass Congress being held in 1984 at Indiana University. The organization's approximately 5,000 members represent 64 countries and include professional and amateur performers, teachers, students, manufacturers, publishers, and others interested in belonging to an organization dedicated to the trumpet profession. 


EMU Music & Dance cellist, Rose Kilburn, awarded Soroptimist International Midwestern Region's Virginia M. Wagner Educational Award

photo of Rose Kilburn with cello
EMU Music & Dance cellist, Rose Kilburn
photo of Rose Kilburn with cello

EMU Music & Dance cellist, Rose Kilburn

Congratulations to EMU CELLO young artist and Music Education major, Rose Kilburn, for being awarded the Soroptimist International Midwestern Region's Virginia M. Wagner Educational Award! She is a student of Professor Deborah Pae.

Soroptimist is a global women’s organization whose members volunteer to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Over 160,000 Soroptimists in 122 countries and territories support community–based and global projects benefiting women and girls. The organization is particularly concerned with providing women and girls access to education, as this is the most effective path to self-determination.

The Virginia M Wagner Educational Award was designed to help women achieve their higher education goals. Rose was chosen among candidates from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. 


EMU Voice Area awards prizes to 2025 Rising Stars Competition Winners

photo of Rising Stars Voice Competition winners holding certificates
EMU Voice 2025 Rising Stars Competition winners
photo of Rising Stars Voice Competition winners holding certificates

EMU Voice 2025 Rising Stars Competition winners

On February 2, 2025, the EMU Voice Area hosted the 2025 Rising Stars Competition. The competition invited talented high school singers from around the state of Michigan to compete and perform for a public audience. Congratulations to the following prize winners!

First Place ($300)
  • 12 th grader Sammy Gharbia, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park
Second Place ($200)
  • 11 th grader Autumn Paul, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park
Third Place ($100)
  • 10 th grader Kylie Kwiatkowski, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park
  • 12 th grader Cecile Piffaretti, Pioneer High School
Honorable Mention:
  • 12 th grader Mia Kuzala, Dundee High School
Audience Favorites
  • 12 th grader Cecile Piffaretti, Pioneer High School
  • 12 th grader Niveen Desrosiers, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park

Dr. Mary K. Schneider, Director of EMU Bands, makes history as first woman President-Elect of the College Band Directors National Association

Photo of Dr. Mary K. Schneider conducting
Dr. Mary K. Schneider, Director of EMU Bands
Photo of Dr. Mary K. Schneider conducting

Dr. Mary K. Schneider, Director of EMU Bands

Dr. Mary K. Schneider, Director of Bands at Eastern Michigan University, has made history as the first woman President-Elect of the College Band Director’s National Association. Confirmed through a national vote by a body of peers, Schneider will lead the historic organization’s vision and 2029 National Conference.
 
The College Band Director’s National Association (CBDNA) was founded in 1941 and presidents of the organization have included many respected leaders in the field of wind bands across the country. Dr. Schneider will begin her six year appointment on the Executive Board as President-Elect on March 30, 2025, following the 2025 National Conference in Dallas-Fort Worth. Dr. Schneider's term as National President will run from 2027-2029 followed by two years as past President.
 
In a statement to the organization's membership, Dr. Schneider wrote:
 
The College Band Directors National Association has a rich legacy of visionary leadership in the field of wind bands and music education, and is a professional organization for which I have always held a reverence.
 
There is no doubt that our current priorities, with a focus on music education, will forge connections and initiatives to invest in our future, recognizing the unique and necessary imprint we yield in our profession. As a member of the CBDNA Board, I would support this vision enthusiastically.
 
The process of institutional change is an imperfect one and the pendulum must swing wide for any real change to happen. This paradigm as it relates to the wind band is ongoing. However, as our vision statement proclaims, we should be mindful of our history and traditions while celebrating innovation.
 
Congratulations to Dr. Schneider and to the College Band Director’s National Association (CBDNA) on their new leadership!

EMU Music & Dance Professor Emeritus Sylvan Sholom Kalib (1929-2025) passes away at age 95

photo of Professor Emeritus Sylvan Sholom Kalib
Professor Emeritus Sylvan Sholom Kalib (1929-2025)
photo of Professor Emeritus Sylvan Sholom Kalib

Professor Emeritus Sylvan Sholom Kalib (1929-2025)

The EMU Music & Dance family mourns the loss of Professor Emeritus Sylvan Sholom Kalib (1929-2025), who passed away on January 15, 2025 at the age of 95. He was a composer, musicologist, cantor, and scholar of Jewish studies. From 1969 until 1999, he was Professor of Music Theory and Literature at Eastern Michigan University, where he taught Schenkerian theory, harmony and counterpoint. During this period, he also composed various Jewish choral works, including "The Days of Awe" and "The Day of Rest."

Professor Kalib was born to Ukrainian parents in Dallas, Texas on 24 July 1929 where he received his first musical training from his father and became a child chazzan (a Jewish musician or precentor trained in the vocal arts), helping lead Jewish congregants in songful prayer alongside a rabbi. He studied at Roosevelt University in Chicago where he encountered Schenkerian theory through his teacher, Oswald Jonas, an Austrian musicologist and music theorist.

Professor Kalib is survived by his beloved wife, Goldie Kalib (nee Shachter); loving daughters, Ruth (David) Eisenberg, and Vivian (Mark) Gelderman; adoring grandchildren, Devorah (Shalom Zev) Meyers, Elchanon (Temima) Eisenberg, Mina (Mayer) Lieberman, and Moshe (Becca) Gelderman; and his caring great grandchildren, Esther Malka, Nechama TTova, Azreal Mordechai, Menachem Moshe, Dovid Baer, and Levi.

Professor Kalib led an incredibly rich life and career. Our condolences are with his family.


EMU Music & Dance student, Eric Pereira, wins "Most Outstanding Instrumentalist (Trumpet) Award" at 2025 Sphinx Orchestral Partners Audition Competition

photo of EMU Trumpet student Eric Pereira holding instrument
Eric Molina Pereira
photo of EMU Trumpet student Eric Pereira holding instrument

Eric Molina Pereira

Congratulations to Eric Molina Pereira, Master of Music candidate in Trumpet Performance, for receiving the "Most Outstanding Instrumentalist Award" at the 2025 Sphinx Orchestral Partners Audition Competition (SOPA) from the Sphix Organization in Detroit! SOPA transforms lives by providing aspiring orchestral musicians the unique opportunity for professional auditions, pre-advancements, placement on substitute and contractor lists, while addressing the historic lack of representation on stage. The ultimate goal of the SOPA initiative is job placement and assisting American orchestras in better reflecting our communities.

Eric is a student of Dr. Anderson Romero. In addition to this prestigious award, earlier this year, he won the Third Trumpet position with the Flint Symphony Orchestra. 


EMU Music & Dance alum, Wendy Stuart receives "2025 Teacher of the Year" Award from Michigan American String Teachers Association (MASTA)

photo of EMU Alumna Wendy Stuartphoto of EMU alumna Wendy Stuart (center) with OYO Michigan Colleagues

EMU Music & Dance alumna and cellist, Wendy Stuart, received the Michigan American String Teachers Association (MASTA) Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Stuart was awarded this honor at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids (January 23-25, 2025). Ms. Stuart graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance and currently serves as the Director of Orchestra at Troy High School and conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra at Oakland Youth Orchestras Michigan. Congratulations!


Three EMU Music & Dance alumni are finalists for Michigan American String Teachers Association (MASTA) "Teacher of the Year" Award

photo of EMU alum Mary Baldwin  photo of emu alum Amy Marr playing the violin photo of EMU alumn Wendy Stuart

Left to right: Mary Baldwin, Amy Marr, and Wendy Stuart 

Three EMU Music & Dance string alumni—Mary Baldwin, Amy Marr, and Wendy Stuart—have been nominated as finalists for the prestigious "2025 Teacher of the Year" Award by the Michigan American String Teachers Association (MASTA). 

Mary Baldwin graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2009 with a Masters of Music in Violin Performance and received her Bachelors of Music Education Degree in 2001 from Michigan State University. She currently teaches 5th through 8th grade orchestra at Conant Elementary, Lone Pine Elementary and South Hills Middle School in the Bloomfield Hills School District where she has been employed since 2001. Ms. Baldwin has performed as a section violinist with West Shore, Midland, Rochester, Macomb, Oakland and Warren Symphonies, as well as with numerous churches and community organizations. She enjoys serving as a guest clinician for local area string programs such as Brighton, Walled Lake, Farmington, and Troy.

Amy Marr graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors of Music Education - Instrumental Degree, where she led the EMU ASTA Student Chapter to receive the first-ever Student Chapter of the Year Award. She has directed the Tecumseh Schools Orchestra Program in Tecumseh, Michigan, since 2004, where she currently teaches 5th-8th grade orchestras and served as the Tecumseh Middle School Electives Department Chair for 4 years. She currently serves as the President of the Michigan American String Teachers Association (MASTA) and is a member of the Michigan Music Conference (MMC) Executive Board. Her previous National ASTA leadership roles include the ASTA National Conference Chair and Vice-Chair, Chair of the Eclectic Strings Committee and Eclectic Strings Festival, and member of the Editorial Committee of American String Teacher and K-12 Committee. Additionally, Amy taught at the MASTA String Camps for 11 years, including 5 years as Assistant Director; she also founded the MSBOA Alternative Styles Day in 2010 and ran this event through 2013. Amy was the 2013 MSBOA Orchestra Teacher of the Year, and in 2021 and 2025, Amy was a finalist for the MASTA Teacher of the Year. 

Wendy Stuart graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance and her teaching certification and Masters of Music in Music Education from the University of Michigan. She currently serves as the Director of Orchestra at Troy High School and conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra at Oakland Youth Orchestras Michigan. Ms. Stuart  was the Director of the MASTA String Camp, Session III and served as Secretary for MASTA for six years in the early-mid 2000’s. She also served one year as Outreach Chair. She has been a member of ASTA since the early 1990’s and is and always will be an advocate for membership. She is the principal cellist for the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, the assistant principal cellist for the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, and performs with other orchestras and ensembles throughout the year. 


EMU Music & Dance Alumni represent 25% of all presenters at the 2025 Michigan Music Conference

EMU Music & Dance leads the way in preparing future music educators. An astounding 19 of our alumni, all graduates from EMU's Bachelors of Music Education program and 25% of all presenters, gave brilliant scholarly and artistic presentations at this year's 2025 Michigan Music Conference!

Congratulations to all 74 music educators from around the state who were selected to share their expertise. We are pround to see our graduates out in the world and being leaders in the field of music education!

Bravo to our Music Education Alumni:
  • Amy Marr, Orchestra Director at Tecumseh Middle School
  • Chad Mielens, Director of Bands at Traverse City West Senior High School (TCAPS)
  • Donald Showich, Director of Bands at Belding Middle School
  • Brenda Bressler, Director of Bands and Choir at Carl T. Renton Junior High School
  • Noah Gorman, Director of K-12 Music at Summerfield Schools
  • Michael Edwards, Director of Orchestras at Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
  • Sienna Ottenbreit, Elementary Music Teacher at Livonia Public Schools
  • Corinne Galligan, PhD Candidate in Music Education at University of Michigan
  • Laurel Pung, Elementary Music Teacher in Monroe, MI
  • Jesse Liker, Director of Orchestras at Caledonia Community Schools
  • Maxwell Trombley, M.M. Candidate in Choral Conducting at Western Michigan University
  • Robert Krueger, Director of Bands at PHS - Fort Gratiot Middle School
  • Alissa Amell-Postler, Music Teacher at Bryant Elementary School
  • Emily Elbode, Elementary Music Teacher at Ann Arbor Public Schools
  • Matt Van Ham, Director of Bands and Orchestras at Livonia Churchill High School
  • Katharine Farmer, Elementary Music Teacher in Northville Public Schools
  • Erin Lilliefors, Music Educator in Ann Arbor Public Schools
  • Josephine Bossenberger, Director of Bands at Bullock Creek Bands
  • Myranda Nichter, Music Educator in Roseville Community Schools

Text image of EMU Alumni Presenters at 2025 Michigan Music Conference  photo of EMU alumna Amy Marr playing a violin  photo of EMU alumni Chad Mielens

photo of EMU alumni Donald Showich   photo of alumna Brenda Bressler. photo of Noah Gorman

 photo of EMU alumn Michael Edwards   photo of EMU alumna Sienna Ottenbreit  image of EMU alumna Corinne Galligan 

  photo of EMU alumn Laurel Pungphoto of EMU alumn Jesse Liker  photo of EMU alumn Maxwell Trombley 


 photo of EMU alumn Robert Krueger  photo of EMU alumni Alissa Amell-Postler and Emily Elbode  photo of EMU alumni Matt van Ham
 
 image of EMU alumna Katharine Farmer. image of EMU Alumni Erin Lilliefors and Josephine Bossenberger  photo of EMU alumna Myranda Nichter
 

EMU Music & Dance Faculty featured in presentations at 2025 Michigan Music Conference

Congratulations to EMU Music & Dance's very own Dr. Mary Schneider, Director of Bands, and Dr. Heather Shouldice, Professor and Coordinator of Music Education, who presented at the 2025 Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids.

Dr. Schneider participated in a panel discussion titled "Band Together: Empowering Women Directors for Success and Support" alongside a panel of female band directors including Shannon Shaker, Courtney Snyder Ng, Pam Klena, Mary Land, Arris Golden.

image of MMC Presentation titled "Band Together: Empowering Women Directors for Success and Support"  photo of mmc presenters

Dr. Shouldice was speaker at the lecture "Man Up! Being an Ally for Female Band Director Colleagues (MMEA Research to Practice II)." Other panel members included Kristin Blanchard, Josephine Bossenberger, Melissa Holso, Erin Lilliefors, Shannon Shaker, and Lauren Staniszewski.

photo of Dr. Heather Shouldice speaking  photos of presenters at the Michigan Music Conference


EMU Music & Dance Faculty—Dr. Julie Stone, Prof. Deborah Pae, and Dr. Chad Hutchinson—awarded 2025 Women In Philanthropy Grants

photo of Dr. Julie Stone holding flute
Dr. Julie Stone
photo of Dr. Julie Stone holding flute

Dr. Julie Stone

photo of Deborah Pae holding a cello
Professor Deborah Pae
photo of Deborah Pae holding a cello

Professor Deborah Pae

photo of Dr. Chad Hutchinson holding a conducting baton
Dr. Chad Hutchinson
photo of Dr. Chad Hutchinson holding a conducting baton

Dr. Chad Hutchinson

 

In December 2024, Women In Philanthropy at Eastern Michigan University awarded three EMU Music & Dance faculty grants that support projects that align with the mission and vision of Eastern Michigan University. Funded projects demonstrate the following priorities:

    • Enhance learning opportunities for Eastern Michigan University faculty, staff, alumni and/or students;
    • Improve the Eastern Michigan University climate through support for diverse groups and collaborative efforts;
    • Foster creativity and innovation as it relates to Eastern Michigan University; and
    • Expand partnerships between Eastern Michigan University and the community.

Professor of Flute, Dr. Julie Stone, received funding for her project "Go Low!".Go Low! is a new composition and world premiere of Meditations in Gold for low flute duet (2 alto flutes/2 bass flutes/or alto and bass flutes) by Julie Stone. The premiere performance will be at the 2025 Great Lakes Flutes Festival at Western Michigan University by EMU flute students Allisanne Schipper and Halie Schmidlin.

Professor of Cello, Deborah Pae, and Director of Orchestras, Dr. Chad Hutchinson, received funding to launch "ChamberFest 2025 Presented by the EMU Symphony Orchestra," a one-day festival bringing the internationally acclaimed Formosa Quartet to work with student string quartets throughout Michigan. The festival will include coachings, masterclasses, and a musical clinic with our guest artists culminating with a special performance featuring all participants. This will take place in Fall 2025.


EMU Alum, Grace Mauk, plays keyboards for "Dirty Dancing in Concert" North Ameircan tour

photo of EMU alum Grace Maukposter of dirty dancing tour photo of Dirty Dancing in Concert tour dates
 
Congratulations to EMU Music & Dance alum and pianist, Grace Mauk (Class of '17, MM) who will be playing keyboards on the North American tour of Dirty Dancing in Concert! Grace majored in Music Performance and studied with Dr. Garik Pederson, professor emeritus of piano at Eastern Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University College of Arts & Sciences. 

Dr. Joel Schoenhals awarded Eastern Michigan University's Brickley Endowment for his project “16 Etudes for Piano by Navajo Composer Connor Chee" 

photo of Dr. Joel Schoenhals
Dr. Joel Schoenhals
photo of Dr. Joel Schoenhals

Dr. Joel Schoenhals

Congratulations to Professor of Piano, Joel Schoenhals, for being a recipient of Eastern Michigan University's Brickley Endowment for his project “16 Etudes for Piano by Navajo Composer Connor Chee." Schoenhals’ project will significantly enrich Eastern Michigan University and its students by expanding the classical piano repertoire and integrating Indigenous cultural themes into the music curriculum, fostering greater cultural awareness. 

Incorporating Cheeʼs etudes into the 2025–2026 curriculum will deepen students’ engagement with diverse narratives in classical music. This initiative will also elevate EMU’s reputation as a leader in promoting diverse musical contributions, encouraging discussions on cultural representation at national conferences, and strengthening connections with other institutions. The high-quality recordings will serve as vital resources for future performances and scholarship, enhancing the visibility of Chee’s work and inspiring further exploration of varied cultural narratives.

Tony and Lois Evans established the James H. Brickley Endowment for Faculty Professional Development and Innovation awards in 2016. The purpose is to facilitate faculty professional development and innovation through various activities, including research and scholarly/creative work, curriculum development, community service, professional travel and training.


Audiences at School of Music & Dance Events

**Audiences at School of Music & Dance concerts and recitals must comply with all EMU health and safety requirements. Currently, all audience members must wear a mask throughout the event and distance themselves from others outside of their family/party. Also, all audience members must complete the online daily health screening (COVID PASS) prior to entering EMU buildings (Please click the “visitor” box if you are not currently an EMU student, faculty, or staff member).


 

ONSTAGE with the Formosa Quartet (Mar. 30-Apr. 2)—CANCELLED [New residency dates will be announced at a later date]

The internationally acclaimed Formosa Quartet returns to EMU on March 30-April 2! They will give two Open Rehearsals on March 30 (10-11:50 a.m. Room 200) and April 1 (10 a.m.-noon Alexander Recital Hall) where the general public can observe how a professional string quartet brings their musical vision alive followed by a Q&A Session with the artists. On April 2 (7:30 pm, Pease Auditorium), the Formosa Quartet will culminate their visit with a special concert celebrating Beethoven's 250th anniversary featuring his late quartet in A minor, No. 15 Op. 132 followed by selections from Formosa's exclusive collection of pop, folk, jazz, and poetry arrangements. The entire audience will be seated onstage with the artists during the performance. An artist meet-and-greet and CD signing will follow the performance. All events are free to the general public.

Meet the Formosa Quartet


2020 EMU Choir Tour

The EMU Choir will be providing concerts across the region and the west coast. Events in California, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Utah & Washington. EMU choral students will be inspiring high school students in masterclass settings, performing collaboratively with other collegiate ensembles, observing rehearsals of internationally renown ensembles, and connecting with musicians across the country. Performances will begin on Friday, February 7, and will continue through March 1. Join us for a concert near you.


National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)

On November 2, 2019 more than 150 singers represented their private studios and colleges at the NATS Michigan Student Auditions at Hope College. After a successful day of singing, the following EMU students received awards:

  • Thomas Larner – First place, Freshman Men
  • Joshua Danielson – Second place, Sophomore Men
  • Olivia Barnaclo – Third place, Upper Music Theatre

Five students were selected to perform at the final awards ceremony in recognition of their performance featuring music by women composers. Among those students was Joshua Danielson for his performance of Lori Laitman’s “The Apple Orchard.


EMU Wind Symphony selected to perform at the 2020 CBDNA division conference at DePaul University in Chicago

The EMU Wind Symphony, under the direction of Mary K. Schneider, is one of eight wind ensembles chosen by audition to present a concert at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) conference on February 21, 2020. Held at DePaul University in Chicago, the north-central division conference includes institutions from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The concert will feature EMU oboist Kristin Reynolds performing a piece commissioned in her name, Serenade for Kristin, by Frank Ticheli, and guest conducted by H. Robert Reynolds, David Dzubay's RA!, High Water Rising by Sally Lamb McCune, Boogie & Blues by Roger Briggs, and two movements of Caroline Shaw's Pulitzer Prize-winning composition, Partita, transcribed by Kaitlin Bove. This will mark the second time the EMU Wind Symphony has applied and been selected for this honor, having performed at the same conference in 2012 in Mt. Pleasant. A featured ensemble of the EMU School of Music & Dance, the Wind Symphony performs 5 concerts every year at Pease Auditorium. In 2018, they were the featured ensemble for a clinic on diverse repertoire and programming at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, and each spring, a performance tour takes them to high schools and middle schools throughout Michigan and Ohio.

Watch the Video


Welcome our New Director of the School of Music & Dance and New Music Director of Orchestral Activities

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Christopher Barrick, Director of EMU's School of Music & Dance, and Dr. Chad Hutchinson, Director of Orchestral Activities.


Congratulations Thomas Torrento - Regional Teacher of the Year

"LANSING – Ten Michigan educators have been named as 2018-19 Regional Teachers of the Year and will comprise the 2018-19 Michigan Teacher Leadership Advisory Council, a group of teachers dedicated to sharing a teacher’s voice in education discussions throughout the state.

These teachers were selected following a multi-level process that began with more than 430 different teachers being nominated by students, staff, and community members."


Our master's in music education degree program has been recently revised!

Are you looking to further yourself as a music educator? It's not too late to join us this fall to pursue your master's degree in music education! Our newly revised program has many advantages, particularly for those who don't want to give up their jobs or their summers.

For more information, see the program page.


The EMU Community Music Academy is enrolling for early childhood, preschool and beginning piano classes, as well as private piano.

EMU's Community Music Academy (CMA) offers non-credit music lessons and classes in piano. We provide an environment that encourages students to realize their musical aptitude in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Classes start mid-September. Enroll now.


Yael Rothfeld, part-time lecturer at EMU, receives University Musical Society's DTE Energy Foundation Educator of the Year Award.

"YPSILANTI —The University Musical Society (UMS) and the DTE Energy Foundation have honored EMU part-time lecturer Yael Rothfeld as one of the 2018 DTE Energy Foundation Educators of the Year.

In addition to teaching music education at EMU, Rothfeld is also a full-time elementary school vocal music teacher at Thurston Elementary School in Ann Arbor, where she teaches preschool through fifth grade and constantly adds new and innovative components to her curriculum." Read the full article.