PERPICH SUMMER MUSIC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS – AUGUST 7, 2026 “THE RHYTHM OF SOMALIA: A COLLECTION OF SONGS, STORIES, AND TRADITIONS”
Perpich is excited to offer a series of five (5) summer Professional Development sessions for music teachers. All workshops will be in person at Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley in August, 2026. Each workshop will be filled with teaching resources, strategies, and experiences you can use in your teaching this fall. Come to one or all five! Workshops will run 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., followed by an optional lunch at a nearby restaurant. Register for each session separately and earn 4 clock hours for each session, plus an additional hour if you attend lunch. There is no cost to participate.
Friday, August 7 – The Rhythm of Somalia: A Collection of Songs, Stories, and Traditions
DATE: Friday, August 7, 2026
TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., plus optional off-campus lunch
LOCATION (in-person):
Perpich Center for Arts Education
Gaia Building – Glass Box
6125 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55422
*Gaia is the white building label 6105 on the east side of Perpich campus by the soccer fields
DESCRIPTION:Join us for this engaging presentation on a culturally relevant approach to music education and culturally responsive teaching. Together, we will cover the importance of cultural representation, mirrors and windows in the music classroom, and integrating global music into your daily teaching. We will have critical discussions about the importance and need for global music education vs Eurocentric music education, learn about Somali culture, practices, and values, and discuss the importance of using global music to connect with students and their lived experiences. You will walk away knowing new Somali repertoire directly from Qorsho and Becca’s published book, The Rhythm of Somalia and how to use this resource with your students.
TARGET AUDIENCE: This workshop is designed for K-5 music teachers.
DETAILS:
- Each workshop will take place 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- There is no cost to participate but a separate registration is required for each day.
- Water and snacks will be provided.
- An optional networking lunch will follow each workshop. The cost of lunch is on your own.
- Four clock hours will be earned each day (+ 1 additional clock hour when attending the networking lunch).
Questions? Email Dr. Michael Buck, Music Education Specialist at michael.buck@pcae.k12.mn.us
