Sorel Visiting Artist Series

Amplifying Equity and Inclusion in Music Education and Therapy is a mini-conference for preservice and in-service music teachers. Featuring Sorel guest speakers Dr. Connie McKoy, Dr. Marjoris Regus, Dr. Julie Derges, and Dr. Sangmi Kang.

Experts in music education will share thought-provoking, practical sessions that focus on culturally responsive approaches to teaching music in a variety of contexts. Mini-conference will run from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, September 20, 2025 on the SUNY Fredonia campus. The keynote talk will be given by Dr. Connie McKoy. 

Pre-registration by September 12 is required.

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Dr. Connie McKoy is the Marion Stedman Covington Distinguished Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the UNCG School of Music. Her research, which has been presented nationally and internationally, has focused on music teachers’ cross-cultural competence, and culturally responsive pedagogy in music. She is also co-author of Culturally Responsive Teaching in Music Education: From Understanding to Application, published by Routledge. 

Dr. Marjoris Regus is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Regus was previously a music educator in Salt Lake City (Utah) where she taught high school band, jazz band, choir, orchestra, music theory, piano, and music appreciation. Her research interests include secondary general music, ethnomusicological studies, and linguistic, behavioral, and musical codeswitching.

Dr. Sangmi Kang is an Associate Professor of Music Teaching and Learning at the Eastman School of Music. She is deeply committed to exploring how music teachers and students engage with diverse cultures and how to support underserved populations through culturally responsive and informed approaches in the music classroom.

Dr. Julie Derges is Associate Professor and Department Head of Music Education at the University of Houston. An active researcher, Derges Kastner studies popular music and culturally responsive approaches to music teaching and learning. She is certified in Orff-Schulwerk (levels 1-3) and Music Learning Theory (Early Childhood level I, Elementary levels I-II). 

Dr. Amy Spears is Assistant Professor of Music Education at SUNY Fredonia. Spears has extensive teaching university-level courses in instrumental methods, social justice, conducting and rock band, and world music drumming. She also spent seven years teaching middle and high school bands in Alabama and Arizona. 

This event is made possible by the generosity of the Claudette Sorel Endowment for Music. The fund honors pianist, educator, and philanthropist Claudette Sorel and the memory of her parents, Elizabeth and Michel Sorel.