Join John Jacobson at OMEC (Ontario Music Educators Conference) on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
This special session will bring energy, creativity, and practical ideas for music educators. Don’t miss the chance to learn directly from one of the most inspiring voices in music education.
Sessions:
So You Think You Can’t Dance: 50 Dances Kids Should Know
Movement is an integral part of music education. During the rehearsal process and concert preparation, adding movement to music will encourage lyric memorization, opportunity for improvisation, self expression and so much more. While engaging the body, students are also focusing on melody, beat, rhythm, form, tempo and more. As in the study of music and musicianship, understanding the terminology and process of incorporating movement into your rehearsals is instrumental in maximizing its effectiveness.
When: Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:00am
Carefully Taught: Teaching More than Music
As music educators, we hold a unique and powerful role in shaping the lives of our students—not just as musicians, but as compassionate, thoughtful, and resilient human beings. Music is far more than notes on a page or melodies in the air; it is a vehicle for instilling lifelong values, fostering emotional intelligence, and nurturing a deep sense of empathy and connection.
Our classrooms are not just places of musical instruction, but safe havens where children of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences can come together, find their voices, and build meaningful relationships. Through the power of song, rhythm, and harmony, we can teach lessons of kindness, respect, teamwork, courage, and forgiveness, allowing our students to experience these ideals firsthand.
This keynote will explore how we, as educators, can purposefully weave social-emotional learning into our music instruction—helping children navigate their emotions, develop empathy for others, and cultivate resilience in the face of challenges. From the lyrics we choose to the way we structure our rehearsals, every interaction offers an opportunity to uplift, inspire, and teach beyond the music itself.
Just as Rodgers and Hammerstein poignantly reminded us, “You’ve got to be carefully taught.” What we say, how we say it, and the messages we reinforce through our musical choices will echo in the hearts and minds of our students long after they leave our classrooms. Let us embrace this incredible responsibility and ensure that, through music, we are shaping not only great performers but also kind, compassionate, and thoughtful individuals who will carry these lessons with them for a lifetime.
When: Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:00pm