QMEC 2025 has lots to offer – from networking, trade exhibitions and a gala concert, to performance opportunities, one-on-one conducting sessions and a conference dinner. You also have the chance to play and perform alongside your fellow music educators in our ensembles. You can find more information about these unique elements here.

At QMEC 2025, delegates will have the opportunity to self-select their sessions over the three days of the conference. We have over 100 sessions for you to choose from, with up to 10 sessions running concurrently throughout the conference.

Sessions are grouped into streams to suit different types of music educators and areas of interests, including Primary Classroom Level, Secondary Classroom Level, Instrumental Music – Woodwind, Brass and Percussion (Multi) and Strings – and Technology.

You are not required to nominate a stream but have the flexibility to choose any of the topics on offer throughout the conference. We’d love for you to experience an array of sessions so you can get the most out of your experience at QMEC 2025.

We’re excited to share a first look at some of the sessions on the QMEC 2025 program below. This page will be updated regularly with additional program information. Follow our Facebook page to stay up to date with all the news and announcements.

*Sessions and presenters are subject to change

Strings

Curated reading session – Soon Hee Newbold (MakeMusic, USA)
Building rhythmic accuracy – Jeremy Woolstenhulme (Kjos, USA)
Setting the tone for the rehearsal – Jeff King (Kjos, USA)
The beginner string ensemble – Loreta Fin AM
We learned this already – Jeremy Woolstenhulme (Kjos, USA)
Strings masterclass – Brian Balmages (MakeMusic, USA) & Soon Hee Newbold (MakeMusic, USA)
The magic in method books – Karen Kyriakou
Lower strings vibrato – Anne Svendsen, Daniel Holloway & Danica Inglis
Double bass – Danica Inglis
Cello positions – Anne Svendsen & Daniel Holloway
Celtic fiddle time – Emma Nixon & Lisa Stevenson

Woodwind, Brass & Percussion (Multi)

Curated reading session – Ingrid Martin
Setting the tone for the rehearsal – Jeff King (Kjos, USA)
A fresh approach for jazz ensemble – Pete BarenBregge (Alfred, USA)
Creative warmups – Brian Balmages (MakeMusic, USA)
Concert band percussion: bringing together order & chaos – Tsoof Baras, Thomas Sweeper & Jeff Jarrott
Band masterclass – Ingrid Martin
Rehearsal lab – jazz band – Pete BarenBregge (Alfred, USA)
Bassooner, the better – Karen Ruprecht
Click Save: Planning effective rehearsals for engagement and retention – Ingrid Martin
Beginner building blocks: creating confident beginners – Clare Deedy & Emma Jimenez
Teaching beginner flute players – Joanna Sullivan

All Instruments / Choral

Motivating students to practice – Jeff King (Kjos, USA)
Making sound decisions: developing auditory understanding of a cohesive ensemble sound – Dr Jemima Bunn
The changemaker conductor – Rachel Howley
Choral techniques for the band and orchestra director – Jenny Moon & Ruth Pols
Community, creativity & engagement in the instrumental music program – Karen Kyriakou
Inclusive teaching – Mellisa Austin
The magic in method books – Karen Kyriakou
Practice strategies for time-poor students – Samantha Coates
My teachers didn’t tell me that! – Dr Joanne Heaton & Dr Nick Williams
Advocacy for music education – Vaughan Fleischfresser
Quality vs quantity: investing in excellence – Dr Tim Lautzenheiser (Hal Leonard, USA)
Telling great stories through music – Soon Hee Newbold (Make Music, USA)
Early career music teacher session – Jemma Losada & Matt Chambers
Mind the gap: building engagement in key transition junctures – Panel

Primary Classroom Level

Warmups: why and how – Jenny Moon
First Nations music repertoire within the curriculum – Dr Candace Kruger
Student engagement & transition activities – Miranda Charters
Getting the most from primary class ensemble – Ian Phillips (QOSA)
It’s time to get moving: body percussion in the classroom – Deborah Smith (QOSA)
Integrating music and literacy through singing – Emma Ritchie
Innovating technology in the primary music classroom – Anna Dart
Being a culturally mindful classroom music teacher – Dr Rachel Howley
What changes in V9? Deb Brydon & Debbie O’Shea