Limestone Professor Dr. Michael Langer Presents At Music Teachers National Association Conference

Dr. Michael Langer, assistant professor of piano and theory at Limestone University, recently presented at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) national conference in Minneapolis.

His presentation, “Improvisation as Political Resistance: Frederic Rzewski's ‘North American Ballads,’” was one of the 19 percent of submissions selected for the conference.

The presentation earlier this month was a performance of Rzewski's (1938-2021) “North American Ballads,” along with a short explanation of the political symbolism within the pieces. Inspired by the American spirit of resistance and civil liberty – particularly in relation to textile union strikes in the Carolinas and the protests against the Vietnam War – the ballads allow the performer to improvise, symbolizing American democracy and the right to free speech. 

MTNA has around 17,000 members nationwide including university faculty and private studio owners. The national conference attracts hundreds of music educators and students.

In addition to his performance, Langer attended presentations, concerts, and workshops by leading figures in music education. The opportunity came in large part due to a matching grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission.

“I was honored to be selected to present at the MTNA 2025 conference. My presentation was all the buzz during the preceding days of the conference,” Langer said. “The turnout was great, and we had a very enthusiast audience. The music I performed carries a lot of meaning and people seem to really respond to it. This project comes from my research for my dissertation, and each time I have performed it – whether in North Dakota, West Virginia, at home at Limestone, and now in Minneapolis – it connects with and inspires listeners.”

Before joining Limestone – where he teaches a variety of courses, directs the Jazz Ensemble and, serves as department accompanist – Langer taught at the University of Mary, North Dakota State University, Bismarck State College. He has presented at state conferences for Music Teachers Association affiliates in North Dakota, North Carolina, and West Virginia, as well as for the College Music Society Great Lakes chapter. He is on the board of the South Carolina Music Teachers Association and coordinates District One auditions at Furman University.

Langer holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Master of Music in Theory Pedagogy from North Dakota State University.