FMEA Professional Learning Conference

01/08/2025 - 01/11/2025

In-Person Event

Tampa Convention Center
333 S Franklin St
Tampa, FL 33602

The FMEA Professional Learning Conference is one of the largest music education professional learning events in the United States. In addition to approximately 250 clinic sessions and concerts, it is host to 23 All-State Ensembles featuring Florida's top Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Guitar, Orff, and Popular Music students conducted by world-class conductors and teachers. It is attended by more than 10,000 people, including secondary music directors, elementary music teachers, music supervisors, college students, college music teachers, school administrators, K-12 students performing in the All-State ensembles, students and professional musicians performing with invited performing ensembles, exhibitors, and parents and family members of performing students.

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Clinician Details

Andy Beck

Andy Beck received a bachelor's degree in music education from Ithaca College and a master’s degree in music education from Northwest Missouri State University. Andy currently is the Director of Choral Publications at Alfred Music. A prolific composer and arranger, he has over 450 popular choral works, vocal resources, and children’s musicals currently in print, including the highly regarded method books Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing, and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique. Andy is in demand as a guest conductor, choreographer, adjudicator, and clinician for educators and students throughout the United States and beyond.

Robert Sheldon

Robert Sheldon is one of the most performed composers of wind band music today. He is also the lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band. A recipient of numerous awards from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, his compositions embody a level of expression that resonates with ensembles and audiences alike. His music is performed around the world and appears on many international concert and contest lists. Robert Sheldon received a honorary doctorate from VanderCook College of Music in July 2020.

Jim Palmer

Recipient of the ASTA Elizabeth A. H. Green Award for a distinguished career in string teaching, James Palmer is an editor, arranger, and featured clinician for Alfred Music. He is an active high school and youth orchestra director. Mr. Palmer has received the Teacher of the Year Award and has been inducted into the Florida Collegiate Music Educators Hall of Fame. He is a frequent clinician having conducted All State and honors orchestras throughout the U.S. and has maintained a career as a professional violist. He lives in Kennesaw with his wife Lydia, son Curtis, and daughter Ericka.

Ted Scalzo

Ted Scalzo is a music educator, having conducted wind ensembles, jazz and marching bands, instrumental lessons and advanced music composition. Throughout his career in the public schools, he has been an advocate of using technology to enhance and improve student and teacher instructional needs.