In this session, the clinicians will discuss a peer mentorship structure that enables students with disabilities to be involved in instrumental music: orchestra, concert/marching band, jazz ensemble, modern band, or guitar ensemble. Attendees will learn strategies for inclusion and a structured system for all students to build leadership skills, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging through music. Teachers will discover a simple process that adds very little time to their existing workload.
Target Audience
Instrumental Music: band, orchestra, and guitar
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Julie Duty
United Sound, Inc.
Julie Duty completed her Music Education degree at Arizona State University in 1998. She taught middle and high school band for nine years in Arizona. Julie founded United Sound in 2014 and serves as the Executive Director, working to bring meaningful inclusion to the music classroom. Julie currently serves on the National Music Council Board, NAfME’s Repertoire Diversity Initiative, Music for All’s Advocacy Committee, The Institute for Composer Diversity Advisory Council, and the Midwest Clinic Advisory Board.
Brad Hart
Johansen High School
Brad Hart is the instrumental music teacher at Johansen High School in Modesto, California, where he teaches Bands, Jazz, Orchestra, Guitar, and other music courses. In his years of teaching, he has also taught courses at University of the Pacific and CSU Stanislaus. In 2024 he was selected as a Yamaha Music Education 40 under 40 educator.
The Johansen ensembles have established themselves as active members of their local community. Establishing holiday parades in underserved neighborhoods, participating in various community events, and still competing and performing regularly. The last several years has seen a major partnership with the Special Education department for a drum class and an opportunity for new musicians to learn band and orchestra instruments with the assistance of peer mentors. This partnership has included regular performances, visits to the local symphony, and performance opportunities at Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA.