Upcoming Events

Switch to Calendar View

• Social Justice Song Swap Affinity Grroup

  • Start
    July 09, 2025
  •  
  • End
    November 12, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    Zoom
  • Registered
    29 registrants

  Register

  
  

  We are excited to invite you to a new affinity group! The Social Justice Song Swap and support group for children’s music artists, educators and advocates using music to promote social justice.  Song topics can include environmental issues and climate justice, anti-racism,  LGBTQIA+ issues, conflict resolution, Indigenous rights, conflict resolution, activism and allyship, and much more.  Monthly meetings provide a positive and supportive space to swap songs and ideas and get support and feedback for this very important work. Meetings are  the second Wednesday each month.

  Hosted by: Carrie Ferguson, Noam Brown and Cindy Haws

  * Free and open to all. Non-CMN Members will require a code to register.  Email office@cmnonline.org for the code.

  
  

  Show details
• Library Affinity Group

  • Start
    July 16, 2025
  •  
  • End
    November 19, 2025
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    Zoom
  • Registered
    68 registrants

  Register

  
  

  The Library Affinity Group is open to everyone who is interested in libraries as a space for children’s and community programming. Topics for discussion may include the role of music in library programs, building relationships between artists and libraries, and current issues in the world of librarianship. 

  Join Evalyn Harper the 3nd Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm ET.
  

  Show details
• Early Childhood Affinity Group Songswaps & Social Gatherings

  • Start
    July 17, 2025
  •  
  • End
    December 18, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    online
  • Registered
    106 registrants

  Register

  

  When it comes to children, it all starts somewhere: EARLY CHILDHOOD!! And there’s only one place in the Children’s Music Network where early childhood (ages 0-8) is the sole focus, and that’s the new Early Childhood Affinity Group!

  Co-hosts Marty Long (of Preschool Rockstar) and Paul Oliphant (of Mr. Elephant) are excited to bring you a virtual space to share ideas and songs and revel in each other’s successes, all while being in a safe space free of judgment and bad vibes. Monthly themes make for fun and pertinent song swaps each month, and other topics such as music and video production, animation, puppets, props, etc. are often discussed among the members. It’s a fun and vivacious place to share your songs and hear others play great music geared towards our world’s young ones.

  So come join us the Third Thursday every month at 5 pm PT (8 pm ET). Register at https://childrensmusic.org/event-4139067. Open to members and non-members! Non-members contact us at office@cmnonline.org for a registration code).

  You only need to register once and you are automatically registered for the following sessions.  Please let us know if you would like to be removed from the registrant list.
  

  Questions or suggestions, contact Mr. Elephant or Marty Long.

  Show details
• Hip-Hop Affinity Group

  • Start
    July 28, 2025
  •  
  • End
    November 24, 2025
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    Virtual via Zoom
  • Registered
    51 registrants

  Register

  
  

  HipHop is happening -- Join Us!

  We meet on the last Monday of each month.

  This group is open to current CMNers and non-members. Non-members contact us (office@cmnonline.org) for a registration code.

  Show details
• Songwriting Feedback Circle

  • Start
    August 12, 2025
  •  
  • End
    December 09, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    Online
  • Registered
    36 registrants

  Register

  
  

  Bring a song-in-progress and get constructive feedback and ideas for improvement from other CMN songwriters (and give feedback to others in turn). Songs can be at any stage in the writing process, but should not be 100% finished and polished. We will use a process adapted from a couple of Philadelphia area songwriting groups. This AG will motivate us to write more songs, and help us to raise the quality of our songs for children & families.

  This is not the type of AG that you need to plan to come to regularly - just attend whenever you have a song that you would like to get feedback on. We meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month, from 4:00pm to 5:30pm ET online.

  This group is open to CMNers (no charge) and non-members ($25).  Non-members contact us at office@cmnonline.org for a registration code.

  For more contact David Heitler-Klevans or Monty Harper, co-facilitators.

  Show details
• 2025 CMN International Conference "Time to Shine"

  • Start
    September 21, 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • End
    September 28, 2025
  •  
    2:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual Via Zoom and LIVE IN Los Angeles
  • Registered
    98 registrants

  Register

  
  

  The 2025 CMN Conference is our “Time to Shine”. We will soak up the sun and great vibes in Los Angeles as we gather together to lift our spirits, learn from one another, make music, new friends and connect with old friends in the colorful atriums of the Embassy Suites LAX.

  To kick things off, our 2025 conference offers virtual programs beginning on Sunday, Sept. 21 (virtual through the 24th), so that no matter where in the world you may be, you can still join us!  Then we gather in Los Angeles on Friday, Sept. 26 in person to celebrate the joy that is children's music and each other. 

  Our CMN annual conference is now over 30 years old!! Every year it gets bigger and better, creating many opportunities for performers, educators, song­writers, librarians, and families to come together.  We connect and reconnect and fill our hearts with laughter and song by sharing songs, ideas, resources and information.

  We have many exciting offerings this year. Here are the highlights:

  • Keynote presentation 

  • Virtual and In Person-Workshops, Songswaps and Panels

  • Virtual and In Person Round Robin

  • Magic Penny and PIO! Scholars' Award ceremonies

  • Special Event ”Tribute to Ella Jenkins”

  • Special LA Add-On Day to be announced soon

  We hope that you will join us for inspiration, learning, connection and MUSIC!  Learn more on the conference website

  The Opening Session, Keynote, Magic Penny and Closing, and all virtual programming will be recorded and available to all attendees through March 31,2026

  All You Need to Know before Registering-Members.pdf

  All You Need to Know before Registering- Non-Members.pdf
  

  We’re excited to offer a number of registration options so that as many of our members and extended community can participate in 2025 “Time to Shine" as possible.  We have worked to keep the cost of attending as low as possible. We can offer an installment payment plans for anyone who would like to spread the cost over the spring and summer.  Reach out to janea@cmnonline.org to set this up. All registrations need to be paid in full no later than September 10.   Please use the "All You Need to Know Before Registering" doc above to help guide you through the process!

  We also have limited scholarships available.

  Please note -  All posted ROOM rates are EARLY BIRD EXTENDED THRU AUGUST 17 at which time they will increase by $25.
  

  Show details
• Puppet Jamboree: Using Puppetry and Music to Connect with Children

  • When
    September 26, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    4949 York Blvd. Los Angeles
  • Registered
    19 registrants

  Register

  
  

  Attention musicians, educators, puppeteers, librarians and anyone who works with children!!!

  Join us for a magical day of puppetry and children’s music  at  the historic and beautiful  Bob Baker Marionette Theater  in Los Angeles, sponsored by Silly Goose & Val

  The day includes a tour of the historic Bob Baker Marionette theater, a Sock Puppet Station, a performance and talk by Sesame Street puppeteer Megan Piphus and special guests, a workshop and performance by the Bob Baker Theater, and a panel discussion "Creating Connections: Puppetry, Music, and the Art of Engaging Children" with Red Yarn, SNOOKNUK and Megan Piphus!
  

  Enjoy a fully catered lunch by a local LA Taco Spot, a time to mix and mingle with leading children's musicians and educators attending the 2025 Annual Children's Music Network Conference and others who are eager to learn and share.  This is a great networking and learning day for anyone working with puppets or young children and music

  You will leave with new friends, a new puppet, knowledge and ideas about how to integrate puppetry into your practice and many beautiful photos in this incredible space!

  Friday Sept. 26th 9-3. $60  includes all workshops, tour, coffee reception, puppet making station and catered lunch!  OPEN TO ALL!

  More information and schedule

  Show details
• CMN Fall Listening Party

  • When
    October 06, 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual via Zoom
  • Registered
    38 registrants

  Register

  
  

  It’s nearly time for one of our most popular events of the year! The CMN Fall Listening Party will be happening on Monday, October 6th at 7PM Eastern. CMN members are invited to share projects that have been submitted in the Children’s Category of the 2026 Grammy Awards®. All are welcome to attend to listen to the fantastic music that has been created in our genre this year. 

   *Space is limited, and slots to present may fill up quickly.  

  DEADLINE to submit a project: September 27th

  FREE to attend as a listener; $15 fee to share a project.

  Projects must  be entered in the Children's Genre of the Grammy Awards® this year.

  We look forward to this wonderful evening of sharing and celebration of music for children. We hope you will join us!

  Questions: staceypeasley@gmail.com
  

  **CMN has no influence over Grammy® Award nominees or winners and is not affiliated with the Recording Academy.**

  Show details