Call for Workshop Proposals

Call for Presenters for the 2026 FSMTA State Conference,
"United by Music: A Nation’s Celebration, A State’s Legacy, A Profession’s Excellence"
October 17-18, 2026
​Tallahassee, Florida
The 2026 FSMTA Conference Planning Committee invites you to submit proposals for our upcoming conference in Tallahassee. We seek engaging, insightful, and practical sessions that will inspire our members and advance the field of music teaching.

Our theme, "United by Music: A Nation’s Celebration, A State’s Legacy, A Profession’s Excellence,” celebrates the powerful bonds our profession fosters. We will explore this through three core pillars:

  • A Nation’s Celebration
  • A State’s Legacy
  • A Profession’s Excellence

While our conference theme, "United by Music: A Nation’s Celebration, A State’s Legacy, A Profession’s Excellence,” emphasizes the universal power of music to connect and inspire, this year we also honor significant milestones in our shared history: the 250th anniversary of American independence, the 150th anniversary of MTNA, and more than 90 years of FSMTA. We especially welcome presentations that explore historical perspectives, commemorate influential figures, or highlight the evolution of music education and performance traditions. Together, let’s examine how these rich legacies can spark dialogue, creativity, and collaboration in our profession.

We encourage proposal submissions that align with the conference theme and explore a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

  • Music by American composers
  • American pedagogues
  • Technologies in music teaching
  • Effective practice strategies for overscheduled students
  • Financial planning and retirement planning
  • Teaching Gen Z and Alpha
  • Studio Business and Pedagogy
  • Community Engagement and Advocacy
  • Wellness and Health
  • Historical perspectives on music education and performance
  • Celebrating MTNA and FSMTA milestones and their impact on pedagogy
  • Commemorating influential figures and landmark works in American music history
 
Session Information:

Session Length: Standard conference sessions are 45 minutes in length, including time for Q&A.

Collegiate Sessions: A separate call will be issued for collegiate lightning talks and short sessions.
 
Submission Guidelines:

Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026

Submission Portal: https://form.jotform.com/223533620191145​

Required Materials: Please be prepared to submit an abstract up to 300 words, a 100-word biography for each presenter, and a list of any technical/AV requirements.

Share your expertise, inspire your colleagues, and help us shape a memorable conference. We look forward to receiving your proposals!

For any questions, please contact Dr. Diana Dumlavwalla, Workshop Chair, at ​[email protected].