Community Engagement

Over the past several years, Oakland University’s Music Education faculty have curated a range of State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHS) professional development sessions designed to support teachers in their ongoing growth. These workshops have covered diverse topics, presented by specialists in the field, such as world choral traditions, equity-centered and trauma-informed approaches, music for well-being, technology integration, innovative teaching strategies for adolescent and elementary learners, and creative approaches to choral and vocal practice. Recent offerings include Introduction to Guitar (Parts 1 and 2), Demystifying MIDI and Music Composition, and Music Education for Social Change. We are currently planning new sessions for the 2025-2026 school year, and invite educators to sign up for our mailing list to receive updates.

Bring Leading Music Educators to Your Program or Event

Looking to inspire your students or colleagues? Dr. Cat Bennett, Dr. Crystal Berner, Dr. Pam Klena, and Professor David Visnaw are available as clinicians and speakers for individual rehearsals, district events, and professional development sessions. Together, we bring a wide range of expertise in music education, conducting, and pedagogy. Learn more about each of us and our specialties below. We would love to collaborate with you—please reach out using the contact information provided.

Dr. Pam Klena (instrumental music)

Oakland University Assistant Professor of Music Pam Klena conducts the OU Symphonic Band, teaches music education and conducting, and supervises student teachers. A passionate advocate for inclusivity, she researches gender diversity in conducting and serves as President of Women Band Directors International. An active clinician, conductor, and presenter, she champions diverse repertoire and community collaboration.

Topics for Possible Presentations: Gender Diversity in the Conducting Profession, Inclusive Repertoire and Representation, Audience Engagement and Recruitment in the 21st Century, Mentorship and Leadership in Music Education, Practical Pedagogy for Instrumental Music Educators, Conducting Instruction/Refinement.

Please feel free to contact Klena directly at [email protected].

Professor P. David Visnaw II (instrumental music)

P. David Visnaw II, Music Education Lecturer at Oakland University, taught 27 years of instrumental music in Michigan public schools – serving as Instrumental Music Director at Anchor Bay High School for much of that time. During his public school teaching career, Professor Visnaw’s ensembles performed at the Michigan Music Conference on multiple occasions and averaged superior ratings at various MSBOA festivals. The ABHS Jazz Ensemble was recognized for excellence statewide with numerous performances at the Detroit Jazz Festival and top awards at the CMU Jazz Festival. Additionally, the Anchor Bay School District was recognized as one of the “Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America” by the American Music Conference, and the “Award of Distinction” by the ASBDA. Professor Visnaw teaches Marching Band Methods, Jazz Pedagogy, Instrumental Techniques for Vocal Music Ed Majors, supervises student teachers, and is the Director of the Golden Grizzlies Band. 

Topics for Possible Presentations: concert band adjudication, clinics, and sectionals; jazz ensemble adjudication, clinics, and sectionals; marching band adjudication and clinics; solo & ensemble preparation and adjudication, instrumental music program and teacher consultation.

Please feel free to contact Visnaw directly at [email protected].

Dr. Crystal Berner (general music)

Crystal Berner, Ph.D., is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Education at Oakland University. She teaches elementary general methods and educational psychology/music learning, supervises student teachers, and holds BME (2009), MME (2018), and Ph.D. from Florida State University. Her research explores timbre, teacher identity, and trauma-informed, community-centered music educator development.

Topics for Possible Presentations: trauma-informed pedagogy, itinerant elementary music education, professionally speaking, teaching evaluation

Please feel free to contact Berner directly at [email protected].

Dr. Cat Bennett (choral and creative vocal music)

Dr. Cat Bennett, assistant professor of music education at Oakland University, offers PD for choir, creative vocal music, culturally responsive pedagogy, and place-based learning. Drawing on global teaching and research—from South Africa to Argentina—she specializes in imaginative, holistic approaches that can inspire teachers and enrich K–12 classrooms.

Please feel free to contact Bennett directly at [email protected].

The College of Arts and Sciences Cultural Ambassador Faculty Grant (CAG) at Oakland University supports faculty-led creative and scholarly projects that promote cultural understanding and community engagement. Through exhibitions, performances, lectures, and interdisciplinary collaborations, the program helps bring meaningful artistic and cultural initiatives to campus and the surrounding community. Many projects are presented in partnership with venues such as the Oakland University Art Gallery and align with broader university initiatives that elevate the arts and encourage dialogue across cultures and disciplines.

Upcoming CAG Events: 

• Pulse & Pixels is an interdisciplinary performance event exploring the intersection of electroacoustic music and digital visual design. Directed by Dr. Justin Lamb, the program features Oakland University music faculty and students performing solo and chamber works paired with immersive digital projections created by Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Jonathan Cooper and select art students. As the inaugural project of the Oakland Artists Collective, Pulse & Pixels is supported by the OU Cultural Ambassador Faculty Grant and represents a new collaborative initiative designed to foster interdisciplinary creation across the School of Music, Theatre and Dance and the Department of Art and Art History while expanding Oakland University’s artistic presence throughout metro Detroit.

Learn More about this Offering

Take Root's Dance for Parkinson's Disease Program provides a safe and inclusive environment, welcoming ALL participants, care givers and spouses, using dance to impact the lives of others.

Dance for Parkinson's Disease participants will be empowered to explore movement and music in ways that are refreshing, enjoyable, stimulating and creative. This class is an aesthetic experience that uses the elements of narrative, imagery, and community to develop artistry and grace while addressing such PD specific concerns as balance, flexibility, coordination, isolation and depression. The classes engage participants' minds and bodies, and create an enjoyable, social environment that emphasizes dancing rather than therapy. Active demonstration by professional dancers inspires participants to recapture grace, while guided improvisation fosters creativity, and experimentation with movement.

The OU Department of Theatre concludes each season with a special children’s play or musical designed for young audiences. Schools and community organizations can bring this engaging production directly to their students. To learn more about scheduling a performance at your school, email [email protected].

Stage Hands is a dynamic local company that provides American Sign Language interpreters for theatrical productions. The OU Department of Theatre has had a 20+ year collaboration with these interpreters and the Deaf theatre-going community. The actors are fully integrated into the performances, providing the Deaf community with accessible performances of plays and musicals. Select theatre performances, which are notated on our event calendar, are shadow-signed each season.

ARISE (Artist Residencies in Service and Engagement) is a community partnership initiative of the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance that connects students with opportunities to collaborate with and serve local communities. Through performances, workshops and artist residencies, ARISE fosters meaningful artistic exchange while providing organizations with access to the creative talents of SMTD students and faculty. The program supports collaborative projects that enrich community life while offering students valuable real-world engagement through the performing arts.

Submit an ARISE Partnership Application

Community members and organizations interested in hiring student artists from the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance may submit performance opportunities through the Gig Submission Form. The form allows event organizers to share details about concerts, private events, services and other engagements so SMTD can connect them with qualified student performers. Submitted opportunities are reviewed and distributed to students, who may contact organizers directly if interested in participating.

Submit a Gig Opportunity