Music is a birthright and music education has the transformational power to change lives.

Discover a comprehensive, collaborative, and forward-thinking pre-professional training program that prepares you to transform young lives through exceptional music teaching. Inclusive practices and collaborative creativity are woven into our comprehensive education courses. Our world-changing music educators have 100% job placement.

Leila Ramagopal-Pertal '87 profile

Alumni Perspective


“Nothing compares to classroom experience as we train the next generation of life-changing music educators. The Lawrence-Edison Lab School partnership is a dream come true.”

Leila Ramagopal-Pertl ‘87, Music Education Instructor at Lawrence University & Appleton Area School District
Music Education
Appleton, Wisconsin

Music & Arts

Jose Corey Torres '12 | Lawrence Music-Maker

Lawrence alumni reconnect with the Appleton community during the annual Mile of Music festival, participating in music education workshops and performances. 

Bikes on bridge with colorful row houses in background in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Study Off Campus

Amsterdam School of Music

Combine a large conservatory with a bustling global city and take advantage of all the musical opportunities Amsterdam has to offer from classical to contemporary. 

Powerful and cutting edge classes give you the best preparation for life as a music educator today.

Work towards your major and K-12 Music Certification.

Our faculty are national music education leaders who are committed to your success.

Student leading music class with lots of young students

A Cutting-Edge Curriculum

Learn culturally responsive and inclusive teaching methods in a supportive community. Discover creative, innovative, and dynamic teaching approaches. And you'll have access to a full instrument library and music education repertoire to develop your music teaching skills.

Student leading outdoor music lesson

Professional Development

Take part in professional education conferences—or host your own! You can travel to the Wisconsin Music Educators Association Conference, or help organize Lawrence's annual Music Education Symposium. Be a part of the Mile of Music Education Team or the Backyard Groove, two signature programs that bring music-making into our community. 

Music classroom

Learn By Teaching

To become a truly inspiring teacher takes practice, so you will begin to practice the art of teaching in your very first music education class. From there you will hone your teaching knowledge and skills in a wide variety of settings until you are ready to student teach. In this culminating experience, you will work side by side with incredible mentor-educators in K-12 classrooms as well as Lawrence faculty.

Finale of Kaleidoscope performance. Features every instrument in Lawrence's Conservatory of Music

High-Level Performance 


Perform at the highest level both in the classroom and on the stage. Many of music education majors also pursue performance majors. Your performance possibilities are practically endless.

reflected light shining on sheet music

The Power of Collaboration


What happens when you combine a world-class conservatory with a world-class college? An unmatched undergraduate musical education. At Lawrence, the Conservatory and College experiences are intertwined. Multiple degree options let you be your own muse by connecting your musical passions with your academic interests. 

The Chandler Senior Experience

Student teaching is the culminating Senior Experience for music education students. You will be placed for a period of 18 weeks at the secondary and/or elementary level, and will work closely with a mentor teacher to gain professional knowledge and skills to prepare you for state certification licensure in Wisconsin. You will also create a professional electronic portfolio that includes lesson plans, a philosophical statement, resume, assessments, audio and video examples of your teaching—all of which will demonstrate your range and scope as a top-class music educator. 

Examples of recent Senior Experiences:

  • Suzuki in Argentina
  • Ewe drumming and dancing in Ghana
  • Samba drumming Brazil
  • Penny whistle pedagogy in Ireland 
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A musical life awaits. Take the next steps by applying and auditioning.

The best way to find out if Lawrence is the university for you is by visiting.

Your virtual tour starts at the Arch but be sure to check out Conservatory, to explore learning and performance spaces.

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