I recently returned from a stimulating and inspiring trip to Chicago for the American Musicological Society (AMS) Annual Meeting 2024.
This year’s conference was a particularly rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. I had the opportunity to present my research on a topic I deeply care about: mentorship for pre-college women and non-binary composers.
My presentation was part of a larger session that I co-organized with Seth Cluett, Bethany Younge, and Lauren Shepherd, titled “Rethinking Gender in Music Pedagogy and Research.” This session explored the complex ways gender intersects with musical learning, teaching, and scholarly inquiry. We were thrilled with the turnout and the engaging discussion that followed our presentations. I am deeply grateful to my co-presenters for their collaboration, to our session chair, Jennifer Iverson from the University of Chicago, for her expert guidance, and to all the attendees who contributed such thoughtful questions and insights.
It is my hope that this research and the conversations it sparked at AMS will contribute to a more inclusive and equitable landscape in music pedagogy. We must continue to critically examine the structures and assumptions that can create barriers for underrepresented and marginalized groups in music education. By fostering supportive mentorship opportunities and promoting diverse perspectives in our teaching and research, we can empower all students to reach their full potential as musicians and scholars.
You can find more information about our session, including the abstracts, under this link.
Beyond the enriching academic experience, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Chicago. The city’s vibrant energy, stunning architecture, and (yes) windy weather made for a memorable visit.