For over forty years Joan Eckroth-Riley has been sharing her passion for music education with students ranging in age from kindergarten through adults. She currently shares the joy of making music with students at Murray State University in Kentucky as Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education. Joan is the author of "Everyday Improvisation; Interactive Lessons for the General Music Classroom" & "Everyday Composition; Interactive Lessons for the General Music Classroom'' published by Alfred, and a contributing author to "Kaleidoscope," lessons on the new Core Music Standards sponsored by NAfME. In addition to her teaching duties, Joan is a certified recorder and movement instructor for Orff Schulwerk Levels Courses and is a frequent presenter on Standards and assessments for elementary music. Joan holds an MA in Music Education with an emphasis in Orff Schulwerk from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, is a Past-President of the North Dakota Music Educators Association and was honored to be named the 2016 ND Music Educator of the Year.