The Heart of Singing (Plenary Address)

PEGGY BENNETT is Professor of Music Education and Director of the early childhood MusicPlay program (ages 3-5) at Oberlin College Conservatory. Active as a clinician-teacher and speaker, Peggy has maintained a full schedule of presentations for conventions, university courses, and school district inservices in over 20 states, plus Australia, Canada, and Japan. Author of pedagogical and research articles, Peggy has also co-authored three books: SongWorks 1: Singing in the Education of Children, SongWorks 2: Singing from Sound to Symbol , and SongPlay: A Collection of Playful Songs for Children and is a contributor to four additional books. She has served on the Editorial Boards of Music Educators Journal (MENC), Southwestern Musician (Texas MEA), and Music EdVentures, Inc. and has held the office of Vice-President, College Division for TMEA. Peggy’s honours include receiving the Chancellor s Award for Excellence in Teaching at UTA and the Outstanding Alumna Award from the colleges of music at both the University of North Texas and Ball State University. Most recently, Peggy reignited singing traditions of long ago by starting the PlayParty Project for Oberlin area families.