Author: David Raney

The week of the AMEA conference is typically filled with a flurry of activities in preparation for the hundreds of music educators who will soon arrive for their professional learning opportunities. Zoom meetings occur to ensure everyone has their specific job responsibilities ready to leap into action, while phone calls and in-depth conversations with various speakers ensue.

What an incredible AMEA Professional Development Conference we had!  The excitement in the air was contagious!  I believe we all had a deeper sense of appreciation this year because of last year’s cancellation.  I am so appreciative of the AMEA Board, and especially the ABA Board, for all of the work they put into making this year a resounding success.

In my last article, I compared the school year to a marathon. I have never run in a marathon. I don’t run unless something life-threatening is chasing me. However, I do know a thing or two about pacing and January is most often the biggest hill to climb for the year. If you are reading this, then you made it! Congratulations! Now, let’s catch our breath and sprint to the end knowing all our hard work has paid off. 

There is nothing quite like the AMEA Conference to bring music educators together. AOA, as always, took full advantage of this time together to learn and grow in our craft. Our featured clinician this year was Dr. Brenda Brenner, string music education faculty at the University of Indiana, Jacobs School of Music. Her sessions reminded us that we are teaching children we need to set them up for success at their level, especially within the difficult instruments we teach.

The AMEA conference is always the annual highlight of my journey as a music educator. It is the place many of us go every year to strengthen connections with mentors, former students, and colleagues from far and wide while finding new friends and associates with whom we can learn and grow.

In a word, “WOW”. What an exciting experience for everyone at the 2025 AMEA Professional Development Conference. From the first session to the last, there was so much quality and timely information shared. It was so great to see so many collegiate members taking advantage of the sessions and learning opportunities throughout the conference.

We hope everyone had an inspiring time at the 2025 AMEA Professional Development Conference! It provided many opportunities to learn and connect with others in the profession, and this is especially true for Collegiates. Whether we were attending a session or talking to a mentor in the halls, we were constantly learning.