Angela Ammerman, referred to by The Washington Post as a “music teacher prodigy,” earned degrees in music education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Boston University, and a PhD from George Mason University. Dr. Ammerman has dedicated much of her musical career to providing access to quality music education for underserved populations of children, including the beginnings of a strings program at a children’s home in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Dr. Ammerman is in high demand as a clinician and guest conductor and has conducted All-State Orchestras in Utah, California, Georgia, West Virginia, and Tennessee.

Dr. Ammerman is the Director of Online Graduate Studies in Music Education and Teaching Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee, where teaching starts now. She runs the Tennessee Master of Music in Music Education for Practicing Educators. This program is fully online and asynchronous, designed to meet the current needs of working music teachers. Ammerman also serves as the Director and Master Teacher of the UTK String Project. “Dr. A” teaches courses such as Habits of the Master Music Educator, Rehearsing and Building Your Orchestra Program, and Introduction to Music Education.

Ammerman is the author of the Music Teacher’s Guide series, published by Meredith Music Publications. Her work is grounded in a commitment to providing practical, accessible resources that support music educators. She is honored to collaborate with educators from across the country on each volume and to serve music educators worldwide. Titles in the series include: The Music Teacher’s Guide to Engaging English Language Learners, The Music Teacher’s Guide to Recruitment and Retention, The Music Teacher’s Guide to General Music, and The Music Teacher’s Guide to Classroom Management.

Known for her passion for recruiting future music educators, Ammerman has delivered numerous presentations, in-services, and webinars to encourage classroom teachers globally. She has been recognized as a Yamaha 40 Under 40 Music Educator of the Year, University of Tennessee at Martin’s Outstanding Advisor of the Year in 2017, Fairfax County Public Schools’ Top Teacher in 2017, Virginia Orchestra Director of the Year in 2016, and a finalist for Teacher of the Year by both Fairfax County Public Schools and The Washington Post. Dr. Ammerman remains dedicated to passing along teaching and mentorship qualities to her music education students.

Ammerman grew up listening to her mother teach piano at home, attributing her passion for teaching to her mother and her work ethic to her father. She lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her supportive husband and son. She is Past President of the Virginia String Teachers Association, known for play-based learning, humor, a unique style, creating the first Future Music Educators Camp, and her viral Music Education Instagram Page: @musicteachersguide. Dr. Ammerman admires the resilience of school music educators across the United States and is honored to serve this community.

Additional Resources

• Changing Worlds Presentation - Full Video Presentation
• Growth Implementation Plan - Free Worksheet for Recruiting and Retaining Musicians Post-Pandemic
• Building a Legacy: Mentoring for the Future - Free Slide Presentation
• Best Practices for Student Engagement - Free Handout for Student Engagement

Workshops

You Can't Teach Empty Chairs: Recruitment and Retention Strategies that Actually Work! - Music Education

In a world where enrollment directly influences job security, ongoing recruiting and retention efforts are a necessity for a healthy orchestra program. Leave with great resources for generating and maintaining excitement and interest in your program! Discover unique methods for reaching students of all ages, backgrounds, and musical preferences. Unlock your creativity by composing your own Recruiting Concert packed with musical story-telling, audience participation and sonic branding. Leave with a wealth of information regarding recruiting and retention, and gain confidence in your ability to apply these strategies through the experience of planning your own inclusive and Recruiting Concert.

When Music is the Common Language: Engaging Practices for English Language Learners - Music Education

Break down those language barriers in this highly interactive session. English Language Learners make up over 10% of K-12 students nationwide and yet, resources are limited. This session provides insights into language acquisition as well as strategies for communication, recruiting, and retention. Leave this session with tips and tricks from some of the most successful music educators from across the country, ready to rehearse, recruit, and engage any student, speaking any language, from any country!

When Music is the Common Language: Engaging Practices for English Language Learners - Music Education

Break down those language barriers in this highly interactive session. English Language Learners make up over 10% of K-12 students nationwide and yet, resources are limited. This session provides insights into language acquisition as well as strategies for communication, recruiting, and retention. Leave this session with tips and tricks from some of the most successful music educators from across the country, ready to rehearse, recruit, and engage any student, speaking any language, from any country!

You Can't Teach Empty Chairs: Recruitment and Retention Strategies that Actually Work! - Music Education

In a world where enrollment directly influences job security, ongoing recruiting and retention efforts are a necessity for a healthy orchestra program. Leave with great resources for generating and maintaining excitement and interest in your program! Discover unique methods for reaching students of all ages, backgrounds, and musical preferences. Unlock your creativity by composing your own Recruiting Concert packed with musical story-telling, audience participation and sonic branding. Leave with a wealth of information regarding recruiting and retention, and gain confidence in your ability to apply these strategies through the experience of planning your own inclusive and Recruiting Concert.