Northville Public Schools was proudly represented at the 2025 Michigan Music Conference (MMC), held on January 24-25 in Grand Rapids, with both educators and students taking center stage. From delivering insightful presentations to showcasing outstanding musical performances, our music department once again demonstrated excellence on a state level.
Attendance at the conference included approximately 9,000 teachers, administrators, students, speakers, and guests. The Michigan Music Conference features school ensemble concerts, performances from Honors Choirs, All-State Bands, and Orchestras; sessions for in-service and pre-service teachers; professional development clinics; hands-on technology workshops; and association membership and business meetings.
Three of our elementary music educators were selected to present at this prestigious event. Josh Kolpak led a session titled "Did You Hear That? Active Listening in the General Music Classroom," while Kristin Kreiss and Katie Farmer Van Ham, in collaboration with colleagues from Farmington and Ferndale, presented "What to do on Monday (...and the Monday after that)." Their selection from numerous applications underscores the innovative and high-quality music instruction taking place in Northville Public Schools.
In addition to our presenters, secondary music educator Johanne Ray-Hepp and the NHS Symphony Orchestra were honored with the opportunity to perform at the conference—a significant achievement that reflects the talent and dedication of both students and staff. Two of the highlights of their performance preparation were a commissioned work, Dona Nobis Quies, by NHS alumnus, Dr. James Naigus, and the world premiere of composer Dr. Michael Hopkins new work, Solar Eclipse. It is a rare honor to have a commissioned work, as well as a world premiere. In addition, both composers shared their time and talents by doing workshops with the students.
Beyond the formal presentations, the event was also a time for professional growth and collaboration. Thanks to the district’s support, the entire elementary music team attended, engaging in valuable discussions and gaining insights to bring back to our classrooms. "It was incredible to represent NPS on the state level and to have the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from our colleagues across Michigan. Not only did we bring back valuable insights from the various sessions we attended, but we also had the unique opportunity to experience some of these sessions as a team. This allowed us to engage in meaningful, real-time discussions about how we can integrate new ideas and strategies into our NPS music curriculum," said Katie Farmer Van Ham, elementary music teacher.
Northville’s presence at MMC was further highlighted by the remarkable accomplishments of former students. Bo Chenoweth, a second-year music education major at the University of Michigan and President-Elect for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), participated in a discussion panel, while Piper Ryan, a first-year music education major at Michigan State University, was also in attendance, performing with the Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra at the Conducting Symposium. The continued success of our alumni in the field of music education is a testament to the strong foundation built within Northville’s music programs.
Additionally, this year marked a record number of instrumental students from Northville earning spots in the prestigious All-State ensembles. The All-State High School Orchestra had the honor of performing under the direction of esteemed film score composer, Soon Hee Newbold, The All-State Middle School orchestra was directed by University of Michigan professor, Dr. Michael Hopkins, who came to see NHS perform the above-mentioned premiere of one of his original compositions, adding an exclusive and memorable element to the event.
From our dedicated educators to our talented students and accomplished alumni, Northville Public Schools continues to make a significant impact in music education across the state. Congratulations to all who represented NPS at this year’s Michigan Music Conference—your hard work and passion continue to inspire our community and beyond!