Boston, with Virtual Conference options available, April 11th – 13th, 2025, with the Berklee Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs in Boston. The ABLE Assembly is a professional development opportunity in the field of arts education and individuals with disabilities, bringing together educators, artists, researchers, policymakers, school administrators, program administrators, and students to share best practices, explore new research, and learn from each other.
Keynotes & Speakers:
- Christopher Hanson – A conductor, violinist, composer, pedagogue, philosopher, and musicologist, Dr. Christopher T. F. Hanson works across a number of disciplines to promote the transformative power of the arts. Dr. Hanson holds three master’s degrees from Texas State University: in music history, music theory, and music composition.
- Keynote – The Value of a Wrong Note: Shifting Perspectives and Redefining Success. John Elder Robison grew up with Asperger’s Syndrome and was undiagnosed until the age of 40. Robison is the Neurodiversity Scholar in Residence at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He teaches neurodiversity at the Williamsburg campus and at the Washington, DC, continuing education facility. He is also a professor of practice in the Department of Education at Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and the cofounder of the TCS Auto Program, a special education high school program for teens with developmental challenges in Springfield, Massachusetts. In his younger days, Robison was an engineer for KISS and Pink Floyd’s sound company, worked on original electronic games at Milton Bradley, and restored luxury cars.
- Keynote Title: Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s – John Elder Robison will detail how he overcame enormous odds to lead a remarkable life: from an anti-social child to a successful father now running a multimillion-dollar car specialty shop and his own photography business.
- Keynote – Determination and Duct Tape: What Guitar Taught Me About Grit (And How It Can Help You, Too)! Born with one hand, Tony Memmel taught himself to play the guitar professionally by building a homemade adaptive cast out of Gorilla Tape. He’s toured 47 states and 25 countries, sharing his music and message. In his talk, he’ll explore how embracing perceived limitations and obstacles can lead to unique opportunities in your life.
- Featured Event: Free Concert by Berklee Music Inclusion Ensemble, featuring Gaelynn Lea(Opens in a new window)
Saturday, April 12 – 7:00 p.m. Berklee Performance Cetner -Admission: Free
Fees apply, registration is required to www.berklee.edu/able or contact biaae@berklee.edu or 617-747-2760
