The NFHS Podcast

As March is Music In Our Schools Month, there is no better way to celebrate than talking with NAfME president Scott Sheehan on the importance of music education across the nation! Scott's presidency began last year, but he has been in music education for nearly three decades. As the Director of Bands and Music Department Chairperson at the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in Pennsylvania...

On this episode of the Stage, Dr. Mark Spede, Director of Bands at Clemson University, joins the show to discuss how to achieve growth and prosperity in music programs across the nation. As the recipient of the Clemson University 2009 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and a three-time recipient of the Clemson University Board of Trustees Awards for Faculty Excellence, Dr. Spede has a plethor...

Join NFHS Director of Officiating Services, Dana Pappas as she speaks with WIAA Assistant Executive Director, Cindy Adsit to share why she believes education-based activities are a foundation for creating a better society. Adsit explains how she got her start in interscholastic activities and why she loves working with adults who focus on creating opportunities for students to participate.

On this episode of The Stage, Julie Duty, founder and CEO of United Sound, comes on to discuss the importance of creating opportunities for every student through music. As a sought after speaker, presenter, and while serving as a member of The Midwest Clinic Advisory Board, Music for All’s Advocacy in Action Committee, The Institute for Composer Diversity Advisory Council, and as the Vice Chair of...

The navigation, advocation, and implementation of music initiatives at your school can be a daunting, confusing task at times. This episode can serve as a guide to help those in education, coming from one of the brightest minds in the music profession today! On this episode of The Stage, ASTA executive director Lynn Tuttle comes on the show to talk about the work she does as a lifelong musician, n...

Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Katona joins the show today to discuss how EdTA provides resources and support for theatre programs across the nation. Dr. Katona comes from a 30-year teaching background and was even awarded for her tireless pursuit of theatre education with the 2014 President’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Service at CCNY. Throughout the con...

On this episode of The Stage, Jamelle Brown comes on the podcast to talk about her experiences of living her dream as a speech and debate educator. Jamelle is a high school speech and debate coach at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in Kansas City, Kansas, teaching and inspiring students for years!  Jamelle was also named the 2022 NFHS Speech, Debate and Theatre Outstanding Educator Award for Se...

This is the tenth episode of the NFHS Women in Leadership series. Join NFHS Director of Officiating Services Dana Pappas as she sits with Francine Martin, Assistant Executive Director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) to discuss her career journey and who has impacted her along the way.  After serving the KSHSAA membership for 18 years, Martin is set to retire in June...

How can theatre emphasize communication and dialogue in high schools today? What does it mean to have community standards in music? What in the WORLD is going on in theatre today??? Listen to this episode to find out! On this episode of The Stage,  Cory Wilkerson, Education Director at the Education Theatre Association (EdTA) comes on to discuss initiatives, lessons-learned, and tips for theatre e...

On this episode of The Stage, Save The Music Foundation Chief Program Officer and 2017 Casio Leadership in Music Education Award recipient Chiho Feindler comes on to discuss how parents, educators, and administrators can prepare students for life. As Chiho has been involved with music education for years, she provides her secrets to sustained success, thoughts on why music education is important f...

With his experiences in music education and his work in string pedagogy, violinist, conductor, and professor Bob Gillespie joins the podcast to share his thoughts on how he has achieved great success in the music world. As some have claimed him the godfather of string pedagogy, Bob has written texts on string education, including the world-renowned books  Essential Elements for Strings   and  Stra...

As a former educator, now author, public speaker, and music advocate, Fran Kick has dedicated his life in helping the next generation of students through his speaking and educating abilities. As he travels all across the world speaking, Kick takes an interactive approach in his lessons, and gives resources that students, parents, and teachers can use for the rest of their lives! On this episode of...

Barry Houser, Director of the Marching Illini, Associate Director of Bands,  Director of the Fighting Illini Athletic Bands, and Clinical Associate Professor of Music of the University of Illinois joins The Stage to discuss his life experiences in music and advocating for music. Barry has a hand in a number of different band activities at Illinois, as well as teaching and directing band camps, and...

Mark Wood is a legend in the violin world and music community. Mark has accomplished so much in his life, including creating the first solid body electric violin, traveling the world performing with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Celine Dione, and Billy Joel (along with so many others), and now rocking out with students throughout the nation. As he has studied and learned from some of the brightest...

Mike Plunkett - Former Assistant Director with the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association joins The Stage to share his journey through performing arts and performing arts education. Mike has played a major role not just in music education in Oklahoma, but across the nation! As he has had a hand in creating performing arts resources, NFHS Learn courses, and systems, Mike has had significa...

On this episode of The Stage, Bob Morrison joins the show to discuss his lifelong journey in music advocacy. As the CEO of Quadrant Research and former Executive Director of Arts Education NJ,  Bob talks about his experiences playing in bands and orchestras as a child, to now advocating for music participation globally. The Emmy and Peabody winner shares his thoughts on why participating in music...

Former broadcaster and Utah High School Activities Association Assistant Director Jon Oglesby stars on this episode of The Stage! Jon has had a unique journey throughout his career, while having a number of different opportunities with college programs and conferences, professional teams like the Utah Jazz, and now as a director with the UHSAA. Listen as Jon gives advice on how to grow both as a l...

On this episode of The Stage, Dr. Neha P. Raukar, M.D., M.S. brings her knowledge of medicine on the show to discuss heat illnesses and the harmful realities that plague sports and activities outside. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Raukar breaks down why heat illnesses have become so prevalent in the last couple of decades and what coaches, educators, and administrators can do to prevent student...

On this episode, NSDA Executive Director Scott Wunn joins The Stage to discuss how he and the NSDA continue to modernize speech and debate. Scott, who has had enormous success both as a coach and as a director, talks about a wide variety of topics, including how he has been able to grow speech and debate in today's technological world, who he looked up to as a speech and debate coach (someone...

This is the ninth podcast episode of the NFHS Women in Leadership series. Join NFHS Director of Sports, Lindsey Atkinson as she sits with retired NFHS Director of Sports/Executive Director of the Missouri State High School Activities Association, Becky Oakes to discuss the ongoing Title IX celebration and how the law impacted her career journey.

This is the eighth podcast episode of the NFHS Women in Leadership series. Join NFHS Director of Sports, Sandy Searcy as she sits with retired Assistant Commissioner of the IHSAA, Mildred Ball while she shares her career journey and offers words of wisdom along the way.

This is the seventh podcast episode of the NFHS Women in Leadership series. Join NFHS Coordinator of Sports Angela Williams as she speaks with NJSIAA Executive Director, Colleen Maguire about her leadership style and the impact of Title IX on her life.

This is the sixth podcast episode of the NFHS Women in Leadership series. Join NFHS Director of Officiating Services Dana Pappas as she speaks with Executive Director of the WIAA, Stephanie Hauser about her mentors, the importance of education-based athletics and what Title IX means to her.

This is the fifth podcast episode of the NFHS Women in Leadership series. Join NFHS Coordinator of Sports Andrea Mortimer as she speaks with CHSAA Commissioner, Rhonda Blanford-Green about her career journey, being a woman in a leadership position, her leadership style, and Title IX. 

This is the fourth podcast episode of the NFHS Women in Leadership series. Join NFHS Coordinator of Sports Andrea Mortimer as she spoke with NFHS Director of Officials and Sport, Theresia Wynns about her career journey and what it takes to be a leader in the education industry.