North Dakota State University
Join the music education faculty of North Dakota State University, area music specialist and guests Dr. Deb Confredo and Dr. David Frego for a unique symposium designed to develop effective teaching in music education. This event offers a unique opportunity to participate in sessions on successful teaching strategies and gain valuable resources.
Dr. Deborah Confredo, a 44-year veteran music educator, is Professor of Music Education and Director of the Online MM in Music Education at Temple University (Philadelphia, PA). She is founder of Temple’s Night Owls Campus/Community Band which launched Temple's community music performance outreach program and is past conductor of the Philadelphia All-City High School Band. Confredo is President of the National Association for Music Education and Past-Chair of the NAfME Music Teacher Profession Initiative (MTPI).
While a professor for Temple University, Dr. Confredo resides in Louisiana where she is an active member of the Louisiana Music Educators Association in her work on the LMEA Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Professional Development Committee, the Louisiana Music Adjudicators Association, and as contributor to the LMEA 12-for-12 webinar series. Confredo heads the chamber ensemble program and is symphonic band coordinator and conductor for the New England Adult Music Camp in Sidney, ME.
In Louisiana, Confredo continues to perform as a saxophonist with the Lafayette Concert Band and is an on-call sub for the Acadian Wind Symphony and the Skyliners big band. She also performs and records with her bassist/guitarist husband, Ralph, in their music studio, Electric Étoufée-dyland. In her spare time, she and Ralph enjoy dancing to Zydeco and Cajun music which they do as often as possible.
Dr. David Frego is a founding member and past president of the American Eurhythmics Society and regularly presents workshops on Dalcroze Eurhythmics throughout the globe. While performing artists of all ages benefit from rhythmic training, eurhythmics in teacher training is an important focus of Dr. Frego’s research.
David Frego has published book chapters, DVDs, books, and articles in both music education journals and medical journals for arts medicine. Dalcroze Eurhythmics in the Choral Classroom, released in 2021, was co-authored with Dr. Marla Butke.
Ann C. Kay is the education coordinator for the Rock ‘n’ Read Project, a MN nonprofit dedicated to using singing to unlock children’s potential for reading and learning. She created A Song a Day: Brain Prep for Pre-Readers, lessons for PreK-K teachers that help all children develop basic music skills to enable auditory processing, the key to proficient reading. Formerly, Ann was an elementary music teacher, choir director, adjunct instructor of music teachers, and associate director of graduate music education at the University of St. Thomas where she founded, directed, and instructed in the UST Kodály certification program for 18 summers.
Kyle Berkley is a dedicated music educator, with over a decade of experience shaping the musical journey of students. Beginning as an adjunct voice and music instructor at Ohio University in 2014, he transitioned to elementary music in 2019, currently teaching K-5 general music at Deer Creek Elementary in West Fargo Public Schools.
In his current role as an elementary music teacher, Kyle has pioneered afterschool music programs and creates innovative performance opportunities for students beyond the classroom setting.
Before dedicating his career to elementary music, Kyle made waves as an esteemed opera performer and recitalist, captivating audiences nationwide with his resonant voice. Notable among his achievements is a collaboration with renowned American composer Gwyneth Walker on the song cycle "I've Known Rivers," which was presented in a touring recital for Black History Month in 2019.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Kent State University in 2010 and continued his studies at The University of North Carolina Greensboro, graduating in 2012.
Follow him on Instagram @mister.b.music
Joe Osowski is the Director of Vocal Music Education at St. Michael – Albertville High School. He holds degrees in Music Education from North Dakota State University.
At STMA High School, Osowski directs three curricular ensembles and one co-curricular ensemble. Mr. Osowski is also the conductor of Bring the Sing, a community singing initiative sponsored by Classical Minnesota Public Radio, Choral Director of the Minnesota Ambassadors of Music, and Director of the Central Choir at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Joe Osowski was nominated as a Minnesota Teacher of the Year Semifinalist in 2016 and 2024 by Education Minnesota and was selected as a conducting delegate representing the United States for the 2017 International Conductors Exchange Program sponsored by the American Choral Directors Association.
Christopher Underwood teaches kindergarten through fifth grade music at Washington Elementary in Fargo North Dakota where he also directs the 4th and 5th grade choir and hand chimes ensemble. He received his Kodaly Graduate Certificate from Minnesota State University Moorhead and recently joined on as a faculty member of the Kodaly Institute at MSUM. In addition, he serves as a middle school voice teacher at International Music Camp in the summer where he teaches voice lessons, music fundamentals, and leads sectionals. Prior to Washington Elementary, Chris taught music at Lodoen Kindergarten Center in West Fargo. He continues to grow as a musician while performing in the Fargo-Moorhead Choral Artists and studying piano.
Christopher received a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from North Dakota State University graduating magna cum laude, and a Master of Sciences degree in curriculum and instruction with a Kodaly emphasis from MSUM. He is current member of Organization of American Kodaly Educators (OAKE), the Association of American Educators (AAE), and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
Dr. Jeremy Brekke, Associate Professor of Music
Dr. Kelly Burns, Assistant Professor of Music
Dr. Sigurd Johnson, Associate Professor of Music
Dr. Cassie Keogh, Associate Professor of Music
Dr. Jo Ann Miller, Director of Choral Activities
Dr. Charlette Moe, Associate Professor of Music
Dr. Warren Olfert, Director of Bands
Dr. Matthew Patnode, Professor of Music
Dr. Karisa Templeton, Assistant Professor of Music
Dr. Kyle Vanderburg, Assistant Professor of Practice
Dr. Michael Weber, Associate Director of Choral Activities
8 AM – 4:30 PM Monday – Thursday; 8:30 – 11:45 AM Friday
A full summer symposium schedule is coming soon. Please watch this page for updates.
To learn more about our Summer Symposium in Music Education, please contact Charlette Moe at charlette.moe@ndsu.edu.
Parking information: NDSU Parking
Summer Housing: Call 701-231-7557