Name
Anti-Bias Practices for Music Education: Building Bridges and Empowering Student Voices
Date & Time
Friday, July 31, 2026, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Description
This workshop will focus on exploring anti-bias practices and their place in music education to encourage participants to think about how they can be used to empower student voices. Many music teachers may already be unknowingly using anti-bias practices, may be interested in using them but do not know where to begin, or may be unaware that their current teaching practices might actually be hindering student participation. Anti-bias practices can help music teachers affirm student identity, bring awareness to diversity, advocate for justice, and take action to make sure all students are heard. These anti-bias practices are important for all music teachers - whether currently practicing, teachers in training, or music teacher educators. Although this workshop will focus on applying anti-bias practices in music education settings, we will briefly discuss anti-bias practices in a broader educational sense as well. Anti-Bias Education was developed to empower students by addressing identity, diversity, justice, and action in the classroom (Derman-Sparks, 2010). This framework was further adapted into social justice standards applicable to a variety of school subjects (Learning for Justice, 2022). This workshop aims to empower music educators to implement anti-bias practices in their teaching while beginning to think about music education through an anti-bias lens.Social justice, inter-/multiculturalism, critical pedagogy, culturally responsive teaching, and DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) have become more prominent research topics in music education over the past few decades, but are still not typically included in curriculum. With continually diversifying student populations (and increasingly divisive political environments), it is even more important that we understand the significance of these concepts and what role they play in music education. Anti-bias practices aim to reduce discrimination and inequities that arise due to biases or prejudices. Through a deeper understanding of anti-bias education, music teachers can better plan lessons that support student’s development of a confident sense of identity, acceptance of human diversity, perception of justice, and the ability to stand up for themselves and others (Learning for Justice, 2022). This workshop will further music educators’ understanding of anti-bias practices, as well as how they can be utilized to build bridges and give all students a voice in the music classroom.
Location Name
515A
Full Address
Palais des Congres - Montréal Convention Centre
1001, Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Montreal QC H2Z 1H2
Canada
1001, Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Montreal QC H2Z 1H2
Canada
Session Type
Workshop
Presenting Author(s)
Katja Kleyensteuber