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NAMM 2026 MIDI In Music Education Panel

The MIDI Association

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At NAMM 2026, Athan Billias (from The MIDI Association), Robert De La Pena (from SAE Mexico), Professor Jennifer Amaya (from Riverside City College), Gillian Demarais from TI:ME (Technology In Music Education in the US) and Kate Rounding from TiME UK (a separate Technology In Music Education organization in the UK) discussed how important MIDI is in modern music education.

Our goal is to raise awareness about MIDI in education at schools (secondary, college and university, and pro schools), MIDI Musical Instrument manufacturers and Dealers who sell MIDI products.

SAE Mexico and The MIDI Association

SAE Mexico has been selected to create a MIDI In Music Education curriculum in both English and Spanish by the MIDI Association.

SAE Mexico have a unique relationship with Coursera, the massive open online course provider so the curriculum and certification will be available at no charge.

All of the materials created for The MIDI In Music Education curriculum will also be provided under a Creative Common license. This means that Universities, Schools, Dealers and digital musical instrument manufacturers can include portions of the MIDI Association materials without any concerns about copyrights or licenses by just a simple Creative Commons attribution.

A digital graphic features large text reading MIDI with logos for SAE Institute and MIDI above it, and the phrase MIDI In Music Education at the bottom, set against a background of blue and teal squares.
Slide showing the MIDI Association logo and the initiative goal: to raise awareness about MIDI in schools, colleges, universities, pro schools, and for manufacturer and reseller staff members.
Logos of eight organizations, including Arizona State University, Belmont University, Columbia University, Florida State University, Full Sail University, Riverside City College, Tufts University, and Romeo Music, with initiative member text below.
A panel of five experts from the MIDI Association with headshots and names: Athan Billias, Roberto De la Peña, Jennifer Amaya, Gillian Desmarais, and Kate Rounding, along with their roles and affiliations.
Two men sit in a music studio next to audio equipment. The SAE México logo is displayed on the left. Text below highlights SAE as a top digital media institute with Coursera content access and bilingual curriculum.
SAE Mexico and Coursera logos with text about modular MIDI courses offering PDF/video materials, practical exercises, certification testing, and Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 licensing for all course materials.
A close-up of a MIDI controller with various pads and knobs, overlaid text lists MIDI CONTROLS: PITCH, RHYTHM, DYNAMICS, EXPRESSION. A blurred hand is seen adjusting the controls.
Screen shot from one of the many Coursera videos
A computer screen displays music production software with a virtual synthesizer interface in the center. Below, a MIDI piano roll shows a sequence of notes, and various tracks and controls are visible in the background.
Screen shot from one of the many Coursera videos
A screenshot of a computer.
Links to MIDI.org connect the dynamic website to the Coursera course
A Coursera course page on “INTRODUCTION TO MIDI” displays a lesson about MIDI note values, keyboard instruments, and pitch control. A bulleted list explains key concepts like pitch bend and system exclusive messages.
The contents are reviewed by an editorial board with Brian Smithers from Full Sail University amd Dustin Painter from Virginia State University.
A Coursera online course page titled INTRODUCTION TO MIDI displays a section called Common uses that lists how MIDI is applied in musical instruments, mixing, live performance, and music education, with descriptions for each use.
Then the contents are reviewed by a wider group of educators and industry professionals.
A Coursera course page titled MIDI as a Universal Language displays instructions for participation and a navigation menu on the left listing course modules and lessons about MIDI.
We will test the curriculum with students and review before launch
Learn More About MIDI In Music Education
Sign up for free access to the Coursera MIDI In Music Education Course