Midwest Regional Practicum
November 6-8, 2025
Chicago, IL
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Join us in Chicago for the 2025 Midwest Regional Practicum!
This three-day, in-person gathering (November 6–8, 2025) brings together Teaching Artists from across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and more for an energizing mix of learning, reflection, and connection. Hosted by The People’s Music School, the Practicum is your chance to:
Level up your practice with interactive workshops led by expert clinicians.
See artistry in action through real-time classroom observations.
Reflect and problem-solve with peers in collaborative conversation groups.
Build your network of Teaching Artists who share your passion and challenges.
You’ll walk away with new tools, fresh ideas, and a stronger sense of community to fuel your work back home.
Don’t miss out! Registration closes October 17!
Scroll down for workshop details, travel info, and more.
About the Host organization
The People’s Music School believes music is transformative and empowers the lives of youth, families, and communities.
The People’s Music School delivers free, high-quality music education that transforms lives by making excellence in music accessible to all. Founded in 1976 by Dr. Rita Simó, a Juilliard-trained pianist from the Dominican Republic, the school began in a repurposed barber shop and has grown into a cornerstone of its community. Today, students not only develop musical skills through intensive instruction and performance, but also build resilience, self-esteem, responsibility, and purpose, gains that extend far beyond the classroom. Guided by the belief that music is transformative, The People’s Music School envisions a society where every child can access the social, emotional, and intellectual benefits that come from musical excellence.
Learn more: https://peoplesmusicschool.org/about
featured clinician
Dr. Rebecca MacLeod
Dr. Rebecca B. MacLeod is Professor of Music Education and Daniel J. Perrino Endowed Chair in Music at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she teaches string education and conducts the University of Illinois Philharmonia Orchestra. Her research on working with underserved populations, vibrato technique, music teacher education, and music perception has been presented at the International Conference of Music Perception and Cognition, Music Research and Human Behavior International Conference, International Society for Music Education, National Association for Music Education National Conference, American String Teachers National Conference, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Society for Music Teacher Education, and music educators state conferences.
Dr. MacLeod is author of Teaching Strings in Today’s Classroom and coauthor of Clifford K. Madsen’s Contributions to Music Education and Music Therapy: Love of Learning. She is also a contributing author to Teaching Instrumental Music: Perspectives and Pedagogies for the 21st Century, Rehearsing the Middle School Orchestra, and Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra. Her research is published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Music Education, and many more. She has received the UNCG Junior Research Excellence Award and the Researcher Award from the American String Teachers Association.
In demand as a guest conductor and clinician, Dr. MacLeod has conducted region and all state orchestras in over 20 states. She enjoys expanding musical boundaries by incorporating a variety of cultures and styles into the orchestra and has premiered collaborations such as The Glass, Electric Guitar Concert by Demir Demirkan; Love Me and Fly for Folk Band and String Orchestra by El Rich; and At the Purchaser’s Option by Rhiannon Giddens featuring banjo, fiddle, and vocalist; among others.
Prior to joining the UIUC faculty, she was Professor of Music Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for 18 years. She is recipient of the North Carolina Board of Governors Teaching Excellence Award, the UNCG School of Music, Theatre and Dance Outstanding Teaching Award, and a semifinalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award.
During her early career, Dr. MacLeod taught elementary, middle, and high school orchestras in Hollidaysburg and Beaver, Pennsylvania. She received her undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and her MME and PhD from Florida State University.
Dr. MacLeod currently serves as immediate past president for the American String Teachers Association.
WORKSHOPS
Making Music Work: Real Strategies for Real Classrooms
Ready to bring fresh energy, structure, and creativity into your after-school music classes? Join us for a 3-day, hands-on workshop designed specifically for music Teaching Artists working in K–12 group settings. Together, we’ll dive into:
Simple classroom procedures that save time and keep students engaged
How to balance student energy and instructional pacing after a long school day
Differentiation and scaffolding strategies for mixed-level groups
Trauma-informed approaches to create safe, welcoming spaces for all students
Leave with ready-to-use tools, activities, and lesson structures that you can put into practice right away. This is about more than theory; it’s about strategies that work with real students, every day.
sample schedule
Day 1
9:00 – 10:00 Breakfast and Opening Session
10:00 – 12:00 Workshop #1
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 Workshop #2
4:00 – 6:30 Site Visit and Peer Teaching with People’s Music School
7:00pm Regional Networking Social
Day 2
9:00 – 10:00 Breakfast and Debrief
10:00 – 12:00 Workshop #3
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 Workshop #4
3:00 – 5:30 Site Visit and Peer Teaching with Community Partner (TBD)
6:30 – 8:30 Optional Group Dinner
Day 3
9:00 – 10:00 Breakfast and Debrief
10:00 – 12:00 Site Visit and Peer Teaching with Community Partner (TBD)
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 Workshop #5
3;00 – 4:00 Closing Reflections
Attending the Midwest Regional Practicum
November 6-8, 2025
The TATI Regional Practicums are designed to be intimate, personalized conferences between a committed group of Teaching Artists. By registering for the Midwest Regional Practicum and securing one of these limited spots, you are committing to attend both days in their entirety.
General Registration : $150
Cohort Alumni receive a 30% discount for life.
Current Cohort Members receive 1 free registration valid in the year they are enrolled in the Lab Cohort program.
travel and lodging
Hotel recommendation
A block of discounted rooms has been reserved at:
HILTON GARDEN INN CHICAGO DOWNTOWN/MAGNIFICENT MILE
10 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
T: +1.312.595.0000
Hotel Amenities:
Free WiFi
Self-Parking: $69.00 per day
In-hotel restaurant and bar
Indoor pool
Fitness center
Room Rate: $135/night (excl tax and fees) FOR 1 King bed or $155/NIGHT (EXCL TAX AND FEES) FOR 2 Queen beds
Deadline to book: OCTObER 17, 2025
Book your room online at: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/chidngi-ttm-2ef0cf97-9a34-4fc1-854b-175af4d36202/
Our primary “home-base” for the Practicum will be located in Uptown Chicago. Events may also be held near River North and Fulton Market.
