The call for proposals for the 2026 National Symposium is now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted. Registration to attend the event remains open.
We warmly invite you to submit a proposal to present at the 2026 National Symposium held in Houston, Texas.
Share what you’ve learned. Teach what works. Challenge us to grow. Help us explore what true equity looks like when young people’s voices, dreams, and potential are at the center of everything we do.
Join teaching artists, program leaders, students, and partners from 150+ member organizations as we declare together: “We Are Here | Aquí Estamos.”
PRESENTATION TRACKS
We seek sessions that advance practice in four interconnected areas:
Please note: While proposals may request up to 90 minutes, final session lengths will be determined based on program needs and venue constraints. Selected presenters may be offered modified time slots to accommodate the full symposium schedule.
Choose the format that best serves your content:
- Interactive Workshops – Hands-on learning with active participant engagement
- Panel Discussions – Multiple perspectives presented with Q&A – *If selecting this option, a panel moderator should also be included in your proposal
- Research & Evaluation Presentations – Data-driven insights from the field
- Teaching Demonstrations – Live pedagogy with students or participants (pending space/logistics)
- Roundtable Discussions/Innovation Labs – Intimate, focused conversations around a proposed topic (20-25 participants max)
- Youth-Led Sessions – Presentations or workshops
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Contact Information
- Lead presenter: Name, title, organization, email, phone
- (If applicable) Co-presenter(s) : Same information (maximum 4 presenters total)
- Youth co-presenters are especially encouraged
Session Details
- Title (10 words maximum)
- Track selection (1-4)
- (1. Artistic Growth & Engagement, 2. Human Development & Wellbeing, 3. Educational & Economic Mobility, OR 4. Civic & Community Vitality)
- Format and duration preference
- Target audience (select all that apply):
- Teaching artists
- Program administrators
- Board members/supporters
- Students/youth
- Cross-sector partners
- All attendees
Proposal Narrative (750 words maximum)
Please address:
- Overview: What will participants experience?
- Relevance: How does this advance the selected track?
- Evidence: What data, research, or experience informs your approach?
- Equity Focus: How does your session address access, inclusion, or equity?
- Youth Voice: How will student perspectives be included or honored?
- Engagement Strategy: How will you facilitate active participation?
Learning Objectives (3-5 specific outcomes)
What participants will know, do, or create by session’s end?
Presenter Bio(s) & Professional Headshot (150-250 words per person)
We ask that you highlight relevant experience and connection to El Sistema USA’s values. If invited to present, this is the biography we will use across our marketing materials. A longer bio option submission will be available for the final program.
Technical Needs for Your Proposal
- Standard AV provided (projector, screen, audio)
- Special requirements (instruments, risers, etc.)
- Room setup preference
Optional Materials
- Video samples (3 minutes max)
- Supporting documents (2 pages max)
- Links to previous presentations
1. Clearly address one of the four conference track topics
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Choose one primary track to focus on and demonstrate how your session topic contributes to student outcomes in this area.
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Connection with other tracks is encouraged; however, there should be one clear primary focus.
2. Connect to the conference theme of We Are Here | Aquí Estamos
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Celebrate the voices and cultures of the communities ESUSA programs serve.
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Feature student, alumni, or community perspectives as presenters or co-designers.
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Model “with and in community” partnership approaches rather than top-down solutions.
3. Demonstrate active participant engagement
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Create participatory and interactive experiences for attendees.
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Incorporate active music-making when appropriate.
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Identify and serve specific audiences within ESUSA membership (teaching artists, administrators, program directors, supporters, partners, and organizations of various sizes).
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Provide clear, practical learning objectives with application across diverse contexts.
EQUITY & ACCESS COMMITMENTS
Every session should demonstrate commitment to equity by addressing at least one of the following:
- Asset-based approaches that honor and build upon community strengths
- Systemic barrier removal through concrete strategies and practices
- Amplifying voices of students, families, and communities historically marginalized in music education
- Collective power building through ensemble learning and community music-making
- Healing-centered engagement that addresses mental and emotional health alongside musical development
- Culturally responsive practices that reflect socio-cultural awareness and community contexts
Accessibility Support:
- ASL interpretation available upon request
- Spanish to English translation support available upon request
- Quiet spaces and sensory breaks built into conference design
Submission Guidelines: We welcome proposals submitted in English. We will also consider proposals submitted in Spanish, with translation support to be provided as the conference is primarily conducted in English.
January 08, 2026: Call for speakers opens
March 6, 2026: Proposals due (11:59 PM ET)
March 20, 2026: Notification of decisions
April 3, 2026: Speaker confirmation deadline
May 15-16, 2026: Symposium in Houston
Note: Speakers cover their own travel and lodging. Complimentary symposium registration for lead presenter. Reduced registration for co-presenters. Limited support may be available for student presenters.
- Contact Gabrielle, Director of Programs at gabrielle@elsistemausa.org
- For general symposium inquiries email: symposium@elsistemausa.org