Nerissa R. M. Rebagay is a PhD student in music education at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami. Her doctoral studies focus on elementary music education and teaching diverse students. Nerissa’s research interests include neurodiversity, creativity, and music teacher training. She has given several prac¬titioner and research-based presentations on disability in music at the local, state, national, and international levels.

Nerissa has experience teaching students of all abilities in Miami-Dade County and directs Miami Jam Sessions, a free music therapy socialization group and mentoring program for neurodiverse teens and young adults. A lifelong learner, Nerissa is a Kodály-certified teacher and is currently pursuing Orff- Schulwerk certification. The Florida Music Education Association recognized her as a 2020 Emerging Leader, and she was the 2021 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Rookie Teacher of the Year and was in the 2023 cohort of Yamaha’s 40 Music Educators Under 40. Nerissa holds an active teacher certificate in Florida and is a board-certified music therapist. She earned a Bachelor of Music in music education and music therapy from the University of Miami and a Master of Philosophy in Arts, Creativity, Education, and Culture from the University of Cambridge (UK).

Workshops

An Introduction to Neurodiversity - Music Education

This session will provide an introduction to neurodiversity and its related umbrella terms that you may encounter in your classroom. Understand the neurodiversity paradigm and social model of disability, and discover how music educators can create inclusive, accessible, and success-oriented learning environments for all learners.

Strategies for Including Students with Disabilities in Music Classes and Ensembles - Music Education

This session is a primer on including students with disabilities in music classes and ensembles. The session will provide an overview of disabilities, 504 Plans, and IEPs, and will present various strategies for successfully including all students in all music classes.

You Have Questions, We Have Answers! Including Students with Disabilities and Differences in Band - Music Education

Do you have questions about students with disabilities in your band classes and rehearsals? Topics include behavior, cognition, communication, emotion, physical and medical, sensory challenges, and more! The presenter plans to answer questions, offer on-the-spot feedback, and inspire discussion about why including everyone in our band programs is so important.