SARC

5th ISME South Asia Regional Conference

November 19–21, 2025
Vivanta Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal

Conference Theme : Music education and sustainability

Welcome!

Message from the Local Hosts: Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory

Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory is delighted to welcome you to the 5th ISME South Asia Regional Conference in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is a privilege to co-host this gathering of music educators, researchers, and practitioners, all coming together to explore the theme of Music Education and Sustainability.

At KJC, we see sustainability in music education as a continuous process that involves nurturing creative communities, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring that music education remains accessible and relevant for future generations. This conference offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, reflect on challenges, and collaborate on ways to strengthen and sustain music education in meaningful ways. We look forward to welcoming you to Kathmandu, a city with a deep musical legacy and a vibrant artistic community. We hope your time here will be filled with inspiring discussions, memorable performances, and new connections that continue to grow beyond the conference. Looking forward to seeing you in Kathmandu!

Abhisek Bhadra
Conference Organizing Chair | Academic Director, Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory

Message from the AmplifyHer Team

Since 2017, ISME (International Society for Music Education) South Asia Regional Conferences in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka have provided an inspiring platform for music educators from South Asia and beyond to network and exchange ideas, practices, and research concerning music and music education. The 2025 conference will return to Kathmandu, Nepal where it will be co-hosted by the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory together with the amplifyHer (Transition pathways towards gender inclusion in the changing musical landscapes of Nepal) project of the University of the Arts Helsinki, Finland. The conference encourages practitioners and researchers from the global community of musicians and music educators to come together to discuss the topic of sustainability in and through music education.

Message From ISME

Greetings from ISME! It is my distinct pleasure to invite you to the 5th ISME South Asia Regional Conference, taking place in Kathmandu in November 2025. Kathmandu, nestled in a region with a profound and vibrant musical heritage stretching back millennia, offers an inspiring backdrop for this significant gathering. This conference provides a vital platform for music educators and researchers to connect, exchange expertise, and cultivate growth, not only to safeguard invaluable traditions but also to forge exciting new collaborations with musicians, educators, and researchers worldwide. Crucially, we will explore the unique musical needs of communities within the region, all while focusing on the conference’s central theme: “Music Education and Sustainability.” We are honored to partner with the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory and AmplifyHer in presenting this important event and eagerly anticipate welcoming you to Kathmandu.

Prof. Patricia González Moreno
ISME President (2024 – 2026)