Music Education Workshops
Shenandoah Conservatory has been an active leader in music education since 1875. As a part of our ongoing commitment to music teaching and music learning, we offer varied professional development opportunities for the practicing music education.
Master of Music Education
The Master of Music Education (MME) program is intended for practicing music educators, and includes targeted study in pedagogy, scholarship and musicianship. The summers-only program is offered during four-week summer-intensive sessions and culminates with a research teaching project. Most students complete their course of study in three summers.
Workshop & Conference Credit
To register for credit for the event(s) listed below, please follow the directions to find, select the courses as described below. Make sure that the course number matches the workshop or conference you will attend (VMEA, ASTA, VKE). Also be sure to download the syllabus and complete the required assignments by the given due dates.
Virginia Organization for Kodály Education (VOKE)
Oct. 11, 2025 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Shenandoah University (SU) is pleased to host the fall workshop for VOKE. Melissa Fuller Flores will present “Our Classrooms ARe Poppin’: Teaching Folk Dances and Musical Concepts with a Pop Tune Twist!” Find the description and registration link through VOKE.
Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA)
Nov. 20–22 | Norfolk, VA
Conference attendees can sign up for one, two, or three graduate credits. Download the syllabus to read more about the assignments for each credit. Register through instant enrollment by November 22.
Register for the course numbers below starting with 597 and adding 598 and 599 to add a second or third credit.
1 credit = MUCC 597 VMEA
2 credits = MUCC 597 VMEA + MUCC 598 VMEA
3 credits = MUCC 597 VMEA + MUCC 598 VMEA + MUCC 599 VMEA
2026 American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference
Feb. 25–28 | San Francisco, CA
Registered participants of the ASTA national conference have the opportunity to also register for 1 or 2 university credits through the registration link below. Download the course syllabus that details the course assignment(s) for credit.
1 credit = MUCC 597 ASTA
2 credits = MUCC 597 ASTA + MUCC 598 ASTA
Registration for credit(s) with the ASTA national conference will open in November 2025.
*Need help registering? View the Instant Enrollment documentation to get started. Contact Dr. Stephanie Standerfer via email at sstander@su.edu if you have any questions about registration or assignment.
2025 Summer Workshops
Music Literacy for All: Developing Musically Literate Individuals
Dr. Hillary Ridgley
June 23–25, 2025 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Ruebush Hall, Room 128
Children are often transformed when they are able to express themselves in conjunction with opportunities for participation, creativity and skill building. Elementary music instruction provides a foundation for learning critical listening skills, sparks imaginations and provides an outlet for our students in which to communicate their own voice and choice. It’s a place where everyone can belong.
Bringing Music to Life: Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques
Dr. Hillary Ridgley
June 26–27, 2025 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Ruebush Hall, Room 128
Insights, review and renewal of conducting gesture and skills for church and public school choral and instrumental conductors/educators will be the main focus of this workshop. Special attention will be given to strengthening and clarifying physical presentation, self-analysis, and matching gesture with the musical ideas embedded in the score. This workshop will also provide creative and practical rehearsal strategies to move beyond the notes and the rhythms and “bring the music to life.” Phrasing, articulation, rhythmic interest, and text will be explored using the three main learning modalities: visual, aural and kinesthetic.
About Dr. Hillary Ridgley
Hillary Ridgley is assistant professor of music education at Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University. Ridgley holds a Ph.D. in choral conducting/music education from Florida State University. An active conductor, clinician and adjudicator, Ridgley most recently presented seminars in Mississippi, New York and Virginia, interest sessions at Eastern Divisional and Southern Divisional ACDAs, and conducted the Kentucky SSAA High School All-State Choir. Her research interests include choral text, the poetry of Sara Teasdale in choral music, music literacy, and community service partnerships and field experience for music therapy and choral music education students. Previously, she taught 12 years in the public schools.