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Music & Drama Education Expo 2026

 Music & Drama Education Expo provides unforgettable CPD sessions every year for all passionate music and drama educators. Take away not only inspiration and enthusiasm but leave with practical lesson ideas and valuable resources to take back into your field of work. See what's on offer for 2026!

REGISTER FOR 2026

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10:00
  1. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    Feel It, Act It, Include It! focuses on how drama can foster emotional regulation, inclusion, and pupil wellbeing. Using trauma-informed, creative strategies, it focuses on self-regulation as the foun ...
  2. The Space
    45 mins
    In this session, Hywel will share storytelling strategies that bring learning to life in the classroom. From the power of talk and gesture, to invitational language, and other discerning approaches, d ...
  3. The Workshop
    45 mins
    What makes a rich music curriculum? Through an exploration & demonstration of design methods, protocols & ways of thinking about curriculum, find out how to develop an authentic & purposeful student m ...
10:15
  1. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    As the music education sector continues to champion ambition and quality, this panel will challenge assumptions underpinning those terms. Who defines ambition? What do ambition and quality look like w ...
  2. Sharing Lab
    45 mins
    Discover how AI can enrich Drama education by boosting creativity, inclusion, and literacy. This session shares real-world classroom strategies, inclusive projects, and free tools that support neurodi ...
10:55
  1. The Workshop
    45 mins
    Explore the psychology behind using music to create a safe and supportive space for children to explore their emotions, nurture their mental health and inspire curiosity, creativity and independence. ...
11:00
  1. The Space
    60 mins
    A fast paced and practical session exploring how to use full mask in the classroom to build confident performers who can embody physical character and devise through play. Through exercises, Vamos The ...
11:15
  1. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    Discover how Sparkyard empowers teachers to embed singing across the school day, fostering confidence, creativity and wellbeing. This dynamic session shares inspiring stories from schools, trainees an ...
  2. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    This practical session explores the power of drama to support pupils with ASD. Participants will gain practical strategies to foster confidence, communication, and creativity. Through hands-on activit ...
  3. Sharing Lab
    45 mins
    A practical overview of key elements in developing a professional instrumental teaching practice, including business models, contracts, planning, safeguarding, marketing, digital tools, and online del ...
11:50
  1. The Workshop
    45 mins
    ABRSM Teaching Diplomas are for all music teachers - classroom or instrumental, beginner to advanced. This session introduces the ARSM, LRSM and FRSM qualifications, covering assessment requirements a ...
12:15
  1. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    The government committed to widening access to the arts in school. Stefano will update on arts education policy and will include a focus on music and drama education in schools. The update includes cu ...
  2. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    Creativity and fun—two words rarely linked with music theory. Too often seen as a chore, theory is essential but overlooked. This session explores engaging strategies to teach music literacy through c ...
  3. The Space
    45 mins
    In this workshop, Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation provides KS1 – KS3 educators with practical ways to bring rehearsal room techniques into their classrooms and foster a culture of creativity acro ...
  4. Sharing Lab
    45 mins
    There is a need for students to learn about global storytelling heritages. By utilising the concept of 'self-actualisation' from 'Maslow's hierarchy of needs', there is a finding that asserts that sel ...
12:45
  1. The Workshop
    45 mins
    Unlock the power of group singing with just a few simple yet effective techniques. Whether you’re teaching a class song, leading a whole-school assembly, or starting a school choir, this interactive w ...
13:15
  1. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    This presentation provides an overview of various generative AI tools that can be utilised for teaching, creating, performing and learning music.  Ideas will be shared on the pros and cons of these te ...
13:30
  1. The Space
    45 mins

    Bring your KS3–KS5 and adult learners’ performances to life with this practical, accessible guide to character development. Based on professional rehearsal-room techniques and Emma King-Farlow’s course The Character Lab, this session will help Secondary Drama educators unlock authentic, layered performances and emotional truth in their students’ acting work.

  2. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    This session is organised by Performing International Plays (PIP) with Foreign Affairs theatre company. Join us for a panel discussion with PIP collaborators exploring the importance of exposing young ...
  3. Sharing Lab
    45 mins
    As instrumental teachers, we’re bombarded by conflicting advice on technique. We can agree on the importance and desirable outcomes of 'chops'. Given a lack of science regarding the ‘how’, critical th ...
13:45
  1. The Workshop
    45 mins
    This session will offer advice on how to support Secondary Music ECTs. There will be some practical advice on the transition from trainee to ECT including how experienced teachers can support newly qu ...
14:15
  1. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    This AQA session provides the latest updates on the national  Curriculum and Assessment Review, with a focus on GCSE and A-level Music and Drama. It will include an overview of the interim report, key ...
14:30
  1. Sharing Lab
    45 mins
    Can creating a play with a group of young people who are struggling at school, on the cusp of exclusion or  in alternative education, really support their growth as young people? This paper revisits a ...
  2. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    In post-show discussions, we are often asked "where do you start and what comes first - movement or music?" In this session we will take participants through the beginnings of our unique process of ma ...
  3. The Space
    45 mins
    Discover how movement and mind are deeply connected—and how lack of physical expression impacts mental health. Drawing on 25+ years of experience, Gillian shares her Move into Balance method: a practi ...
14:45
  1. The Workshop
    45 mins
    Leading author and educator Paul Harris talks about all things rhythm! He explores the definition of the word ‘rhythm’ and how it has traditionally been taught. He goes on to explore innovative tools ...
15:15
  1. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    What makes a great music subject leader? Whether you’re working in a Primary or Secondary setting, join us to discuss the key characteristics, skills, and knowledge needed to excel in the role and cre ...
15:30
  1. Sharing Lab
    45 mins
    This is our music:  Creating a shared landscape of known songs and games in today’s multi-cultural society.  Using these ‘core songs’ to provide a smooth pathway for musical development, nurturing musically literate young musicians. Establish your school as a singing community and foster a deeper understanding and love of music
  2. The Space
    45 mins
    A very practical and interactive session looking at playful learning and exploration without parameters. Delegates will be asked to play! And to re-connect with why play remains vitally important for ...
  3. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    This original drama scheme invites participants to explore the meaning and value of community through immersive techniques including tableau, mime, thought-tracking, documentary drama, and Forum Theat ...
09:30
  1. Keynote Theatre
    30 mins
    Start your day with a roar! Join Charles and Emily from Gabrieli Roar – known for nationwide projects inspiring singers of all ages – for an energising morning warm-up and Big Sing. Dynamic and engagi ...
10:00
  1. The Space
    45 mins
    An introduction to devising physical theatre, exploring the building blocks of creating movement and choreography. Rooted in the creative process, this session will use music as a stimuli for devising ...
  2. Sharing Lab
    45 mins
    Great opportunities in the arts requires great leadership. This session will provide an opportunity to reflect on your own leadership of the arts in education, while also building a toolkit that devel ...
10:15
  1. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    How do you support young people to tell difficult stories, safely? Explore youth-led creativity as a safeguarding tool. Turner shares how his young people create music/films tackling trauma, consent, ...
  2. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    We are constantly challenged to introduce extra dimensions to our teaching. I will share my approaches to including literacy and oracy in the music curriculum. Making it a positive addition to music t ...
  3. The Workshop
    45 mins
    What was learned during an ambitious ongoing project to put a sophisticated digital instrument in the hands of as many school pupils as possible? Hear about the project outcomes first hand from those ...
11:00
  1. The Space
    60 mins
     Drama strategies can be used, to help whole classes 'make sense' of various cultural stories together.  Patrice is Lead Trainer for an ongoing project with Supplementary School teachers, training the ...
11:10
  1. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    Discover how to help students express their unique musical personality through performance. This session explores how assessments, personalised repertoire, and constructive feedback can build confiden ...
11:15
  1. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    Creative and interactive session. Participants will engage with Dr Andy through dramatic games, activity and presentation. No drama experience required. Andy suggests that if drama can find a way to b ...
  2. Sharing Lab
    45 mins
    Working from an overview of drama school processes, and other pathways to careers, we will look at strategies and activities to inform classwork around personal reflection, capacities, creative choice ...
  3. The Workshop
    45 mins
    Research shows that improvising with your pupils enhances creativity, improves ear training and increases confidence. In this practical session we will explore Jazz North’s recent initiatives to encou ...
12:15
  1. The Space
    45 mins
    A practical and exciting session giving you solid ideas to teach and love the often paradoxical and radical approach of Antonin Artaud.  Delegates will take away activities to introduce this important ...
  2. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    Bring ESL learning to life through a rich mix of storytelling techniques and drama activities. This hands-on session equips educators with creative strategies to boost fluency and confidence. Particip ...
  3. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    Discover an inclusive, historically informed approach to teaching composition, inspired by methods once used to train orphans to become professional musicians. This session offers practical strategies ...
12:30
  1. Sharing Lab
    45 mins
    How can we activate curiosity, collaboration and reflective listening in the classroom? Are you interested in the relationship between sound and visual art? In this interactive session, teachers will ...
  2. The Workshop
    45 mins
    This is a fun and interactive session that will shed light on the 5 Elements of Hip Hop culture and its relevance in today’s music classroom. The focus is the Art of Rap, how it can be taught and deve ...
13:15
  1. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    The session examines the role of school play productions in establishing and reinforcing school communities and spirit. Despite the potential disruptions, time commitment, and financial burden, the co ...
13:30
  1. The Workshop
    75 mins
    This session examines how student agency in music education can be enhanced through a model of informed, consultative, and co-constructed practice. Drawing on practitioner research and classroom inqui ...
  2. Sharing Lab
    45 mins
    Many schools have stage lighting systems that are underutilised due to a lack of staff training. This session offers a practical introduction to common lighting equipment found in schools, including h ...
  3. The Space
    45 mins
    An active session delving into the Royal Shakespeare Company’s theatre-based pedagogy which draws on methods directly from our rehearsal rooms. Explore teaching techniques which bring Shakespeare’s te ...
  4. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    In this session, James and a panel of MTA committee members will explore key issues in music education. They will discuss current trends, share insights and practical solutions, and offer a positive o ...
14:15
  1. Seminar Theatre
    60 mins
    This session shares research and practice into how dispositional learning and creative pedagogy can reshape educational assessments, fostering wellbeing and creativity among pupils. Drawing on their r ...
14:30
  1. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    Elevate your teaching with new and revised frameworks for curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment in music education from the ISM Trust. Designed to support the delivery of music education in primary and ...
  2. The Space
    45 mins
    Speech Bubbles has been working in SEND settings since 2009. This practical workshop will explore how a story drama approach can support SEND learners to be creative, build confidence and communicate ...
14:45
  1. The Workshop
    45 mins
    This energising session will give you simple, engaging tools to help colleagues teach music with confidence—no specialist skills needed. Through fun, hands-on activities and mentoring strategies, you’ ...
15:30
  1. Keynote Theatre
    45 mins
    This interactive seminar explores how schools can create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable musical theatre program that engages students year after year, regardless of resources or prior experienc ...
  2. The Space
    45 mins
    Accessible and fun ways of teaching puppetry technique, focusing on ways into devising, while considering key practitioners such as Knee High and Complicité. Practical ensemble techniques and accessib ...
  3. Seminar Theatre
    45 mins
    This session is for teachers who wish to develop their adaptive teaching skills within both primary and secondary phases. It will offer examples of how careful control of our teaching spaces can entic ...
15:45
  1. The Workshop
    45 mins
    This session is a completely hands-on exploration of a pedagogical framework for teaching electronic music, made popular by teachers in schools around the world. Experiment, explore and create electro ...

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