Reflections: APSMER Conference
MAXIMILLIAN RUDD, ANNA KHO, and KAREN HEATH
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The Asia-Pacific Symposium of Music Education Research (ASPMER) conference was held at Edith Cowen University in Perth, Western Australia, from the 9th to the 11th of July. Participants Maximillian Rudd, Anna Kho, and Karen Heath report their reflections on this event.
Over three sunny days in July, the Western Australian Academy of the Performing Arts in Mount Lawley hosted the Asia-Pacific Symposium of Music Education Research (APSMER). Several hundred passionate and dedicated music educators and researchers descended on the city of Perth to take part in the conference on “Being and becoming musical in the post-human era.”
Numerous insightful papers were presented by attendees on a range of topics including the implications of generative AI, music pedagogy and curriculum, music technology, as well as music and its intersections with environmentalism, inclusive education and wellbeing. After enjoying thought-provoking keynotes from Margaret Barrett, Alexis Kallio, Julie Ballantyne and Clint Bracknell and Ricky Kej, attendees were treated to unforgettable concerts from Gina Williams, Guy Ghouse, and students and staff of WAAPA and Edith Cowan University.
As classroom music teacher with an interest in research, I would encourage other early-career music teachers to attend future conferences. Whether it is through presenting a paper, listening to eminent scholars, or connecting with colleagues locally and internationally, you can help to shape music education discourses that are informed by an array of perspectives, including those from practising music teachers.
Maximillian Rudd
It was my first time attending APSMER as a PhD candidate. It was a not-to-miss opportunity to travel across states to Perth, Australia for this event. The conference started with a visit from our very own local wildlife and was the perfect warm welcome for all. After meeting some furry friends, it was great to catch up with colleagues in the Australian research community and meet new colleagues from other countries.
As an Asian-Australian individual, it was an absolute treat to watch presentations by researchers from different Asian countries and learn about their culture and experiences in music education. At first, I was speaking English in conversation and towards the end I was making new friends and conversing in Chinese. The conference was an eye-opener in not only the possibilities of research, but the communities of researchers in my field.
This experience was perfectly timed before my thesis submission and gave me the final push to the finish line. I left the conference feeling excited for the future as an early career researcher. I’d like to extend my congratulations to Dr Jason Goopy, the committee, and staff members who put together such a successful event. I look forward to the next APSMER conference!
Anna Kho
The 2025 Asia-Pacific Symposium of Music Education Research (APSMER) was the first time I had the pleasure of attending such a vibrant gathering. This conference offered both intellectual stimulation and artistic inspiration, with an impressive range of presentations on current issues in music education, alongside outstanding live performances from Gina Williams, Guy Ghouse, and students from WAAPA.
I had the opportunity to present my research on automaticity in music learning for beginner musicians, which was one of the themes to emerge from my doctoral dissertation. The reception was warm and inviting, with some invigorating questions afterward leading a robust discussion on memory and cognition in music learning.
I also chaired a few sessions, which was a wonderful experience, and the many presentations I watched over the three days were insightful and important for future work in music education.
Events such as APSMER remind us of the value of conferences—not only as venues for sharing research and practice, but also as spaces for dialogue, reflection, and the renewal of professional energy. I strongly encourage music educators to participate in these forums. The upcoming ASME National Conference, to be held in Brisbane from September 26 to 29, presents another excellent opportunity for connection, exchange of ideas, and celebration of our shared work in music education.
Karen Heath
Deputy Chair, ASME Victoria
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