2026 AWME Summer Music Conference

Sponsored by the Association for Waldorf Music Education

hosted by

Wasatch Waldorf Charter School
July 12-17, 2026

The 2026 Waldorf Summer Music Conference will offer a journey through the grades and high school, looking more closely at what stands behind the music curriculum. Bringing ‘the right thing at the right time’ is the hallmark of Waldorf education, and the music curriculum reflects this profound pedagogy.

Our work together will explore the what, when, how, and why of what we do, and how it meets each stage of the child’s development. Included in this spectrum will be hands-on experience with the instruments we use in our curriculum, a deeper look at Rudolf Steiner’s indications for bringing music to children, alternatives to traditional ensemble work, the changing voice, and more! There will also be dedicated sessions to address the questions, concerns, and special interests of both new and experienced teachers. For our own development as well as for enhancing and supporting our work in the classroom, our days will be rounded out with Werbeck vocal exercises and choral work in addition to movement and games.

The conference will begin at 5:30 pm on Sunday, July 12th with registration, followed by a simple shared meal (provided by AWME) and our official opening. The conference will end midday of the following Friday, July 17th.

Since we will be including hands-on instrumental work, we ask participants to bring Choroi interval flutes, pentatonic flutes, diatonic/C-flutes, recorders of any voicing, kinderharps, or bordun lyres – if possible. We will also have some instruments available to borrow at the school, but if you can, please bring whatever you have, and extras to share!

On Thursday evening, July 16th, we will have our traditional music sharing for the larger community, and everyone is welcome to attend! For this occasion, participants are invited to bring any and all instruments to make music to share with each other as well as extra copies of sheet music if you would like to prepare something with others.

This year’s facilitators are:

Sheila Johns – Sheila Johns has been part of the leadership of AWME since 2007, and has trainings in both instrumental and vocal anthroposophic music therapy. She was the president of the Lyre Association of North America for 10 years and continues to serve on the Board as chair of its Publications team. Sheila was on the music faculty of the Washington Waldorf School in Bethesda, Maryland for 14 years and has been a resident of Cuenca, Ecuador for the last 11 years, where she is currently the music teacher at a local Waldorf Initiative there, now in its seventh year. She continues to serve as a community musician in a wide variety of venues including work with the ill and the dying. She has authored and edited a number of articles and two books on subjects related to Waldorf music education and the lyre. She co-carried music teacher trainings in China and in the Philippines between 2016 and 2019, and she continues to be involved in organizing and presenting in workshops, conferences, and various music initiatives in both North and South America.

Andrea Lyman – Andrea has been teaching music for 53 years, in both the public and private school sector, to home schooled students, as well as in her private studio, and has been involved in Waldorf education since 1992 as a founding parent and teacher at the Sandpoint Waldorf School in Sandpoint, Idaho. She has taught music courses at Sunbridge College in New York, and Sound Circle Center. She was an adjunct faculty member of the West Coast Institute in Vancouver, BC from 2011-2019. Andrea was the Director for both the Waldorf Music Teacher Training in China and the Philippines and now serves as a mentor, evaluator, and consultant in the U.S and internationally (in person and online). She has given courses and workshops in Europe, Central and South America, China, Philippines and Malaysia and has authored several published articles on the Waldorf music curriculum. Andrea has served as president of AWME since its inception in 2001.

Conference Fee:

$325 for AWME members ($50 discount!)
$375 for non-members

After June 28, the fees will increase $50 to $375 and $425 respectively.

Non-refundable Conference Deposit $100 (included in registration fee) – Balance due at registration via cash or PayPal. (Costs for housing, meals, and transportation are additional.)

For more questions or information, please contact Andrea Lyman.

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Registration and Conference Details:

Morning and afternoon light snacks will be provided each day during the conference:

• Meals – Reserve 4 Lunches $80 Mon-Thurs
• Meals – Reserve 4 Light Suppers $60 Mon-Thurs

For meals, please indicate any special dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, gluten free).
No checks accepted at conference – cash or PayPal QR code payment will be accepted.

Lodging options:

• Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites, Salt Lake City
  6433 South Highland Drive Holladay, Utah, 84121

AWME Conference room group rates $125.00 USD per night
Participants can share rooms, if desired

Last day to book: Sunday June, 28, 2026

• AirBnB, VRBO and booking.com options in the area
• Camping at school (on school grounds with use of indoor bathrooms w/ showers – participants bring their own camping gear, towels, toiletries, etc.)
• There are also a couple of other lodging options with private individuals in the area. Please contact Andrea Lyman for more information.

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REGISTER NOW! – Deadline for receiving minimum participant registrations is June 15, 2026.