APME Los Angeles 2024

This presentation aims to address the absence of class in popular music education by 1) providing a framework for how to conceptualize class; 2) applying these frameworks to various genres, including, country, hip hop, punk, and classical music; and 3) offering recommendations for incorporating class consciousness into popular music education. 

Dive into the unparalleled success of Latin music, the foremost profit-generating genre for an unprecedented 3-year span. Drawing insights from José Valentino's widely recognized work featured on CNN, Miami Herald, USA Today, ABC News, and more, this session, led by the seven-time Latin GRAMMY®-nominated and four-time GRAMMY® winning artist, also an EMMY® Winner, unveils the implications for music educators. Beyond statistics, it provides valuable resources, guiding educators in strategically integrating this success into pedagogical and entrepreneurial pursuits. This content acts as a guide, nurturing intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship within artistic, creative, and research expressions. Explore innovative approaches drawn from Valentino's extensive field experience.

Hip-hop is a musical movement that emerged in the Bronx in the 1970s, but it also grew and
developed in Yonkers, a city that has produced some of the most influential artists and pioneers of the genre. In this presentation, I will explore and go through the foundational timeline and how Yonkers contributed to the evolution of hip-hop, from the early DJ battles, parties, practioners ,Graffiti artist and dancers. Decades before to the rise of global stars like DMX, Mary J. Blige, and Jadakiss. I will use pictures, flyers, and documents to illustrate the history and mpact of Yonkers’ hip-hop scene, as well as readings from the book with testimonies from practitioners and venue owners who witnessed and participated in the growth of the culture. I will also discuss how Yonkers’ hip-hop legacy is being celebrated and preserved today, as the genre marks its 50th anniversary. My presentation aims to show that Yonkers is not only a lost city of hip-hop, but also a vital and vibrant part of its past, present, and future.

Country music’s origins in the Black community bring perspective to the racism that has persisted and recently has been rising. Emerging artists like Lil Nas X mark a significant turning point. His hit, Old Town Road, defied genre boundaries, and is influential in reshaping country music's narrative.

Artistic Intent in Popular Music is a multi-disciplinary project combining language arts & film studies that provide students with tools to analyze and critique music media (videos and visual albums). Examples will demonstrate methods to facilitate discussion in response to works of artists with connections to a larger humanistic discourse.

This presentation on developing scalable popular music curriculum will incorporate first-hand experience from teachers responsible for developing a program over several years, with a specific focus on student voice. Elements explored will include modern popular music history, digital music production and recording, and instrumental studies.

One of the ways teachers are introducing popular music into their classroom is through the use of a Modern Band ensemble. The purpose of this study is to examine how one modern band teacher in an urban school setting responds to the musical interests and cultures of the students in their classroom.

Participants are given a songwriting prompt, and writ and perform a short song for the group. The purpose of this experience is to demonstrate the value of songwriting for both secondary-level and university-level music programs, and to suggest approaches for designing projects in such classes.

It all starts with a dream. All too often, however, it is difficult to figure out the necessary small steps to make that dream a reality. This presentation will share the DREAMS, GOALS, & STEPS framework, which teachers can use to increase student motivation.