Midwest Regional Practicum: February 27-march 1, 2025
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
The Midwest Regional Practicum is designed to convene Teaching Artists from El Sistema-inspired and community music programs across the Midwest, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Over two full days in-person, participants gain new skills and tools that directly support the continued growth of their teaching practice as they hear from expert clinicians, reflect together through collaborative conversations, observe teaching artistry in real-time, and build a network of peer Teaching Artists.
We look forward to meeting you February 27th -March 1st at the Midwest Regional Practicum in Detroit, MI hosted by SPHINX Overtures.
About the Host organization
The Sphinx Organization is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the arts and has reached more than 100 million people worldwide.
Focused on increasing representation in classical music and celebrating excellence, Sphinx programs serve beginner students, seasoned classical music professionals, cultural entrepreneurs, and artistic administrators by addressing the systemic lack of access within Black and Latino communities.
Based in Detroit, Michigan, with global reach, Sphinx envisions a day where every young person has the opportunity to express themselves and learn classical music, where audiences reflect the people we see on our streets, and where leadership – on stage and off – includes all deserving voices. Our work transforms lives by addressing the systemic lack of access within Black and Latino communities. We are working toward a future in which our art form reflects our greater society.
featured clinician
Eric Williamson
Eric Williamson is the Artistic Director of Lavender Light the Black and People of All Colors LGBTQ+ Gospel Choir. This choir is dedicated to continuing the legacy of singing Black Gospel music with a special ministry in supporting Black and Brown queer folx. Mr. Williamson received his B.A. in Music from the Pennsylvania State University and his M.A. in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. As a guest conductor he has led honor and festival choirs across the east coast bringing his magnetic energy and authenticity to choruses. As a former conductor with the Grammy-award winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus he has prepared choruses for performances at Lincoln Center, several recording projects, New York City Opera, and more.
As a National Facilitator for the Human Rights Campaign Welcoming Schools training program, he has led workshops on LGBTQ+ inclusion for schools, school districts, and non-profit organizations. An advocate for equity & belonging in education, he has been featured on NY1, Good Morning America, and published in the March 2023 edition of the Music Educators Journal. He has led workshops centering Anti-racism and Culturally Responsive Teaching for music educators at Carnegie Hall and several universities across the East Coast. He currently works at PS 32 in Brooklyn as the PreK-5 general music teacher, the ADEI Chair for the New York Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and adjunct professor at NYU Steinhardt Music and Performing Arts Professions.
For more information, please visit www.ericwilliamson.org. IG/TikTok: @mrwilliamsonmusicroom
practicum WORKSHOPS
Teaching for ALL: Inclusive, Culturally Responsive & Trauma-Informed Classrooms
Want to create a classroom where every student feels seen, heard, and supported? This hands-on workshop equips teaching artists with real strategies to:
✅ Balance group learning & individual needs
✅ Use culturally responsive teaching practices
✅ Support students with trauma-informed strategies
✅ Build a safe, engaging, and student-centered environment
Let’s make learning spaces equitable, empowering, and transformative—together!
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 Accent Pontiac
7:00pm Optional Group Dinner
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 Sphinx Overtures
6:30 – 8:30 Regional Networking Social
Day 3
9:00 – 10:00 Breakfast and Debrief
10:00 – 12:00 Site Visit and Peer Teaching with Detroit Community Music School
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 Critical Response Process
3;00 – 4:00 Closing Reflections
Attending the Midwest Regional Practicum
february 27, 2025- March 1, 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.
Lab Cohort alumni
$100
General Admission
$150
TATI Regional Practicum Policies
TATI Regional Practicum Attendance Policy
As a reminder, the TATI Regional Practicums are designed to be intimate, personalized conferences between a committed group of Teaching Artists. By registering for a TATI Regional Practicum and securing one of these limited spots, you are committing to attend both days in their entirety.
– Commitment to Full Attendance: By registering for a TATI Regional Practicum, you are committing to attend both days of the conference in their entirety, from 9:00am to 6:00pm.
– No Partial Attendance: Partial attendance is not permitted. You must be present for the full duration of both days.
– No In-and-Out Attendance: Each conference session builds on the last. As such, attendees are not allowed to come and go during the conference. Consistent presence is required.
– Equal Expectations: These attendance requirements apply equally to all participants, whether you are a member of the host organization or an external guest.
– Non-Compliance Consequences: Failure to comply with this attendance policy may result in your registration being voided without a refund.
TATI Regional Practicum Cancellation Policy
Should you need to cancel, you will need to send a written request by the refund deadline of December 27, 2024. You will receive a refund of the registration fee, minus a $25 administrative fee, for each cancelled registration. No refunds will be issued for cancellation requests received after December 27, 2024. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to info@tatraininginstitute.org
travel and lodging
Hotel recommendations
Our primary “home-base” for the Practicum will be located at the MSU Detroit Center in Downtown Detroit.
Atheneum Suite Hotel (1.3 miles from MSU)
1000 Brush St, Detroit
Complimentary Hotel Shuttle is available for hotel guests within a 5-mile radius
Restaurant & Bar
Parking available
Sonder Gabriel Richard (1.2 miles from MSU)
305 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Studio – 2 BR apartments
Paid Parking Lot Nearby
Free transportation (Detroit People Mover) located behind building
The Siren Hotel (.9 miles)
1509 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226
Single or Double rooms available
Restaurant and Bar
On-site Parking available
