This interactive session will address approaches to learning and performing the cultural stories and practices represented in diverse music literature. Participants will examine and discuss ways to choose, perform, and assess music literature that authentically represents the culture of origin. We will demonstrate our own approaches to…
1. Analyze the cultural functions and practices within a composition,
2. Address respectful ways to interactively learn, and
3. Assess student learning with cultural validity.
Throughout this session, participants will have opportunities to discuss and explore their own music literature and pedagogical practices to customize authentic learning for their students.
Target Audience
Music Teachers - all levels
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Tamara Thies
California State University, Long Beach
Tamara T. Thies, PhD is Director of Music Education for the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music and Co-Coordinator of Music Education for the Single Subject Credential Program in the College of Education at California State University, Long Beach. Currently, she is the Music Education in Higher Education Representative for the California Music Educators Association. Her creative and research interests focus on music education at the intersection of creativity, culturally relevant and sustaining practices, and empowering individual identities.
Michelle Gibson
California State University, Long Beach
Dr. Michelle Z. Gibson serves as the Assistant Professor for Choral Music Education at California State University, Long Beach. She earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in Music Education from the University of Florida and completed undergraduate music education study at the University of Georgia. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Gibson has experience teaching in a variety of educational settings, including elementary and secondary general music and middle school choir. During her time as a music educator in Georgia, Dr. Gibson maintained active leadership roles, serving as the Secondary Choral Music Chair and a member of the Curriculum Writing Team for the DeKalb County School District, as well as a founding member of the Diversity and Inclusion committee of the Georgia Music Educators Association. Dr. Gibson’s research interests include diversity, equity, inclusion and access within music education, culturally responsive music pedagogy, African American Spiritual pedagogy, and music teacher education.