5th ISME South Asia Regional Conference

21-23 May, 2026
The Bangalore School of Music & Fine Arts, Bangalore, India

Conference Theme : Music education and sustainability

Welcome!

Message from the Local Hosts: The Bangalore School of Music & Fine Arts

We are delighted to host the 5th ISME South Asia Regional Conference and to contribute to the vital conversations this space fosters among stakeholders across the region. The Bangalore School of Music & Fine Arts looks forward to welcoming colleagues to Bengaluru as we engage meaningfully with ideas that strengthen music education and affirm the role of the arts in building vibrant, connected communities.

Founded in 1987, the BSM has, over the past 39 years, established itself as a centre for Western classical music education in the city, combining rigorous training with community outreach, international collaborations, and performance opportunities that have opened new musical pathways across the region. We honour the enduring legacy of our Founder Director, the late Mrs. Aruna Sunderlal, whose vision and commitment to excellence in music education continue to guide our programmes and institutional ethos.

Our association with ISME dates back to its first foray into the South Asia region in 2014, when our Founder Director, the late Mrs. Aruna Sunderlal, delivered one of the keynote addresses, and our students performed at the evening concerts. This year, we look forward to welcoming you once again as we continue to engage in meaningful musical dialogue.

Rebecca Thomas Colaco
Conference Organizing Co-Chair | Academic Director
The Bangalore School of Music & Fine Arts

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)