Why Can't They Just Sit & Listen?
Dr. Alice Hammel
Lesson 1
Why Can't They Just Sit Still and Listen?
Addressing ADHD Myths and Realities
Presented by Dr. Alice Hammel
What does ADHD look like in the music classroom? How can we better understand students who have ADHD and teach them effectively?
This session introduces key information about ADHD and offers practical ways to include students with ADHD in inclusive classroom settings. We will discuss strategies for developing positive relationships with students that reduce negative classroom interactions, and we will rehearse cognitive behavioral strategies that can be applied directly in the music room.
Meet Your Professor
Dr. Alice Hammel is a widely known music educator, author, clinician, and consultant with diverse experience in music. As a disability specialist in music, she has vast experience teaching instrumental and choral music in public and private schools. She travels internationally to serve as an in-residence scholar, keynote speaker, and headliner for conferences and events.
She has co-authored many books, chapters within books, and articles in the field of music and disability (Oxford University Press, Routledge, GIA). Her books can be found at book retailers and online sites. She recently published a children’s book: The Girl Who Read to Alligators. Another new resource being released in December is Q&A for Band Directors on Students with Differences and Disabilities.
She is well-informed regarding the needs of people of all abilities. Her expertise and life experiences range from musicianship to pedagogy and teaching students who learn differently. She is a committed learner and leader of people and firmly believes in “nothing about us without us.” The wide demand for her work places her in close collaboration with professionals who are seeking to become better teachers, musicians, and humans.
Throughout her distinguished career, Alice has held numerous leadership positions, including serving as President of the Virginia Music Educators Association and as a former member of the National Executive Board for the National Association for Music Education. Her civic involvement includes extensive work with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she has helped lead national forums on the intersection of arts education and special education.
Alice’s commitment to service and scholarship has earned her many honors, including:
• Virginia Music Educator Association Lifetime Achievement Award (2025)
• Shenandoah University Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award (2025)
• Grammy Award Nominated Music Educator (2023)
• National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Lowell Mason Fellow (2023)
Alice Hammel’s career is a testament to the power of music and the profound impact a dedicated educator can have on students and the profession.