Based in the Chicago area, Elise Hackl-Blumstein (she/her) is an administrator and former adaptive music and special education specialist with years of experience working with neurodiverse individuals from preschool through adulthood. Elise is a proud alum of Illinois State University (BS in Music and Special Education), Concordia University Chicago (MA & MA with Principal Certifications), and Wichita State University (MME) and recently earned her third Master’s degree, where her main research focus was training and preparation for accessible classrooms. In 2018, Elise was nominated for the Illinois State Board of Education ‘Those Who Excel’ Teacher of the Year program, receiving an award of merit.

Elise has presented multiple sessions at NAfME (2015 & 2016), and her contributions can be found in music journals around the Midwest. Elise has also contributed chapters for the GIA book Portraits of Music Education and Social Emotional Learning (edited by Scott Edgar) and for the Oxford University Press resource Teaching Music to Students with Special Needs: A Practical Resource (by Alice Hammel & Ryan Hourigan, published in 2017) along with new texts coming soon. Elise serves as a coach in Illinois, centered on accessibility in music education and social-emotional learning, and is a member of the Music for All ‘Music SEL Support Team.’ Elise currently serves as the director for the International Championships of High School and Collegiate a Cappella.