Graduate student presents at national music conference

Amber Nellett, a candidate for a M.M. in Music Education from Bay City, Mich., gave a presentation, “Exploring How Play Can Encourage Social Emotional Learning,” at the 2023 New Directions for Music Education Conference sponsored by Michigan State University.

“Play in Music Education Across the Lifespan” was the theme of the three-day conference held in February at the university’s Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Mich. Ms. Nellett delivered her presentation to an audience of higher education music faculty, doctoral students and practicing music educators.

In her presentation, participants explored this topic of play and social emotional learning through various "musicking" – making, doing or actively engaging in music – activities that Nellett facilitated. This presentation was informed by her master’s degree research project at SUNY Fredonia and her experience as a PK-12 music teacher.

“At this conference, Amber had the opportunity to network with other graduate students and professors and researchers from around the country and to interact with other practicing teachers who are also interested in innovative practices in music teaching and learning.” - Dr. Jill Reese

Play in music learning may be uniquely positioned to encourage social emotional learning (SEL) at a critical time in teachers’ and students’ lives, Nellett explained in her presentation summary. Oftentimes, students learn to repress play from their formal learning due to the nature of school culture. However, if educators were to open this line of expression to facilitate learning, there may be transformative results.

These results, Nellett explained, could include avenues to encourage SEL in the music classroom that haven’t yet had the chance to be explored.

"Amber Nellett is a strong ambassador for the Music Education program at Fredonia. She represents the kind of compassionate and innovative teacher that we're proud to support at Fredonia,” said Associate Professor of Music Education Jill Reese. “At this conference, Amber had the opportunity to network with other graduate students and professors and researchers from around the country and to interact with other practicing teachers who are also interested in innovative practices in music teaching and learning,” Dr. Reese said.

The conference included keynote speakers, workshops, musicking, paper sessions, a poster session and reception.

A full-time student with a graduate assistantship in the School of Music, Nellett is certified to teach in New York and Michigan. She has a B.M. in Music Education from Eastern Michigan University and began her master’s degree at Fredonia in 2021.