The Australian Youth Orchestra’s Music in Me Summit 2026 returns to Sydney in July, with a special Q&A with Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Chief Conductor Simone Young and a live recording of ABC Classic’s Music Class with presenter Genevieve Lang.
The Summit, on Monday 20 July at ACO on the Pier in Sydney’s Walsh Bay Precinct brings together an extraordinary collective of Australia’s leading artists, educators and cultural organisations for a landmark day of professional learning dedicated to primary music education.
Now in its third year, the Music in Me Summit has grown into a nationally recognised event, distinguished by the breadth and of its contributors and its commitment to equipping all primary teachers with practical, high-quality music education skills. This year’s theme, “Many Voices. One Classroom.”, reflects a powerful focus on cultural diversity, inclusion and representation in Australian classrooms.
The 2026 program features an exceptional lineup of presenters from across Australia’s leading arts and education organisations, including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Musica Viva Australia, Sydney Children’s Choir, Sydney Youth Orchestras, Australian Music Centre, and the NSW Department of Education Arts Unit, alongside leading practitioners in Kodály and Orff Schulwerk pedagogy.
Simone Young will sit down for an ‘In Conversation’ Q&A with Genevieve Lang, where she will share her earliest musical influences and aspirations – the people, the experiences and the determination to pursue a life of excellence in music.
The program also features a live recording of ABC Classic’s Music Class with Genevieve Lang featuring a wind quintet performance from the Australian Youth Orchestra.
“The strength of the Summit lies in the extraordinary community it brings together,” said Bernie Heard, Director of Music in Me. “This is a program shaped by leading artists, educators and organisations, offering teachers both inspiration and practical tools they can immediately apply in their classrooms.”
Throughout the day participants will engage in a dynamic series of hands-on workshops, performances and collaborative sessions led by renowned educators and artists, including neuromusical researcher Dr Anita Collins, creative arts academic Dr Rachael Jacobs, and culminating with world renowned conductor Simone Young, who will appear in a special in-conversation event reflecting on a life in music.
The program places particular emphasis on First Nations and culturally diverse perspectives. Workshops led by artists including Australian Music Centre represented artists, Kamilaroi composer Adam Manning and Warrimay artist Nicole Smede introduce teachers to the Ngarra Burria First Peoples Composers program, while proud Wiradjuri vocalist Olivia Coe Fox leads a powerful closing session celebrating language, identity and shared musical experience.
International and cross-cultural perspectives are further explored through immersive sessions with Suara Indonesia Dance, alongside practical classroom approaches spanning storytelling, composition, instrumental learning, inclusive practice for neurodiverse learners, and the integration of music with literacy and numeracy outcomes.
Presented as part of the Music in Me national teacher mentoring program, the Summit forms part of a broader, integrated approach to professional learning—combining in-school mentoring, national events and digital resources to support teachers at every stage of their practice.
Bringing together classroom teachers, music specialists, school leaders and tertiary students, the 2026 Summit continues to build a strong, connected national workforce committed to ensuring that every child has access to high-quality, inclusive music education.
Music in Me Summit
When: Monday 20 July 2026
Where: ACO on the Pier, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Sydney
About Music in Me
Established in 2015 by the late Richard Gill AO, Music in Me is the Australian Youth Orchestra’s national teacher mentoring program. It supports primary teachers to deliver high-quality music education through in-school mentoring, professional learning events and innovative teaching resources.
Since its inception, the program has supported over 1,100 teachers across more than 590 schools nationwide, benefiting tens of thousands of students. Music in Me is supported by the Australian Government and philanthropic partners.