Group Dynamic Youth Leadership & Travel

A Group Dynamic Leadership Workshop isn't a "sit and get" experience. Throughout the day, students meet in their school groups to reflect on what they've learned, discuss how it applies to their team, and prepare to put those ideas into practice.

For 14 years in a row, Jennifer Williams of Ankeny brings Alan a coffee at the start of the Youth Leadership Workshop day. Great time working with Bondurant-Farrar, Waukee, Carlisle and Ankeny today!

Really excited to be a part of this! I'll facilitate a conversation on the transition process, with special attention to taking over a program from a long-term director.

Great way to kick off the 2026 Youth Leadership Workshop season -- 13th year of working with Robbie Coe at Onalaska!

Just a few of my favorite moments from the 99th Annual Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference, of which there were many. See you next year for the 100th, IBA!

Spotted in the wild…

Thank you to Iowa Bandmasters Association for the opportunity to record two live episodes of the Music Ed Insights Podcast during the 2026 Annual IBA Conference! On Thursday we'll sit down with Susan L. Smith of National Association for Music Education and RWS Music Company, drawing on her decades of experience as a band director, clinician, and national leader in education to talk about building band programs that don't burn out students -- or directors. And on Friday we'll be joined by Cynthia Johnston Turner of Wilfrid Laurier University. Known for commissioning new works, championing diverse voices and using ensembles as vehicles for community engagement, Dr. Turner will challenge us to rethink what "band" can be. Audience members add great energy for recording. If you'll be at IBA, please join us!

Looking forward to reconnecting with band directors across the state at the 99th Annual Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference! In addition to the clinic, we'll have a booth, two live podcast recordings for Music Ed Insights, and of course I'll be leading my annual Wellness Walk & Downtown Tour at 6:30 am Friday morning. Hope to see you there.

In this week's episode of the Music Ed Insights podcast, co-hosts Alan and Steve return to their favorite Disney recording spot to reflect on 30 years of student travel experience. We dig into the logistics that make or break a trip: intentional chaperone prep, rooming list strategies, and navigating the rising costs of travel. If you’re interested in a realistic, conversational look at the "why" and "how" of student travel, give The Benefits of Student Tavel a listen! https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-qyb3g-1aad93c

When you have some extra money in the budget for a group, and you decide to purchase 250 gift cards from the Pop Century merch shop, get yourselves a cast member team like Spencer, Leah, and Tyler. They spent an hour with me to make it happen, cheerful and fun the whole time!