Only have a few minutes between bus duty and class to score study? When you study, do you ask yourself, “what am I even looking for?!” In this session, discover how to turn your finite score study time into an active, creative, music-making experience which fuels your pedagogy. Forget just reading notes and rhythms—this is about cultivating a vivid aural image of the music that enriches both performance and teaching. Make every minute count by activating your individual musicianship.
Nicholas Balla
- Biographical Information
Dr. Nicholas Balla is the Director of Bands at Arkansas State University where conducts the University Wind Ensemble, instructs undergraduate conducting, and coordinates the Wind Band graduate conducting program. Dr. Balla also serves as the musical director for the Diamond Brass Band and Jonesboro Community Wind Ensemble. Prior to A-State, Dr. Balla taught for the Lebanon School District as an Assistant Director of Bands and low brass specialist in Lebanon, MO. His research interests include the music of Vincent Persichetti and the application of atmospheric studies to the instrumental music classroom. He has presented on these topics at the All-Illinois Junior Band Clinic, College Band Directors National Association National Conference, Michigan Music Conference, and Symposium for Music Teacher Education. Dr. Balla conducted the 2023 world premiere of "Into the Labyrinth: A History of Physics from Galileo to Dark Matter" by Alberto Rojo, a 35-minute concerto for narrator, guitarist, tenor, and jazz drummer. Dr. Balla holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Science in Audio Engineering from Missouri State University and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Band & Wind Ensemble Conducting at the University of Michigan.
Kim Fleming is the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Illinois where her responsibilities include conducting the Hindsley Symphonic Band as well as teaching courses in the instrumental conducting sequence. Before joining the faculty at Illinois, she completed her DMA at the University of Michigan where she served as a Graduate Student Instructor, directed the Michigan Alumni Concert Band, and conducted the Michigan Youth Symphonic Band. Dr. Fleming has nine years of public school teaching experience including positions in Illinois and New Jersey. In 2019, the Illinois Directors of Student Activities recognized her as an Outstanding Activity Advisor for her work with students in the Wauconda High School band program. Dr. Fleming maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator with high school, middle school, and District and All-State honor bands. Her research on inclusive programming and conducting pedagogy has led to presentations at state and national conferences, including the College Band Directors National Association National Conference. She is an advocate for music education, serving on the CBDNA Music Education Committee and presenting research at the Society for Music Teacher Education Symposium and the Instrumental Music Teacher Educators Colloquium. Dr. Fleming earned her Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Northwestern University and her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College.