January 30, 2027
9:30a-1:30p
Virginia Tech, Squires Student Center Room 243

Creating Harmony Through Literacy and Music

Through the Orff process, participants will explore literacy practices already embedded in the music classroom and leave with classroom‑ready activities that strengthen students’ literacy across the curriculum. Educators will leave with experiences, strategies, knowledge, and activities they can directly apply in their own classrooms along with a shared vocabulary to use for advocacy

Erin Ellington is a lecturer of music education in the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University, where she teaches undergraduate courses and supervises practicum students and student teachers. She brings more than 20 years of pK–8 teaching experience in diverse urban and rural schools across North Carolina, Illinois, and Indiana.

Erin holds Orff Schulwerk Levels I–III, World Music Drumming Level I, and Music Together certifications. She was honored as the 2020 Mabel School Teacher of the Year, 2020 Watauga County Schools Teacher of the Year, and the 2021 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Northwest Region Teacher of the Year.

She leads professional development at the local, state, and national levels, presenting for AIM, NCMEA, NAfME, the North Carolina State Board of Education, and as keynote speaker for Appalachian State’s 2023 Beginning Teacher Summit.

Erin earned her M.M. in Music Education from UNC Greensboro and her B.S. in Music Education from Ball State University. Her work centers on process‑oriented, active music‑making that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. She is passionate about teacher leadership, arts integration, and equity in arts education.