The Music Education Advocate Podcast

In this episode, host Jazzmone Sutton is joined by her own colleague Amanda Karhuse, NAfME Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy and Public Policy, for a crash course on how federal policy shapes music education access and why advocacy matters. Amanda explains key federal programs that support music education—including Title I, Title II, Title IV-A, IDEA, the Assistance for Arts Education Prog...

Host Jazzmone Sutton sits down with Christy Todd, Chief of Staff at the Georgia Department of Education, to discuss her journey from classroom music teacher to statewide education leader. Christy shares how serving as Georgia’s 2024 Teacher of the Year inspired her to further amplify teacher voices in decision-making, champion opportunities for creativity in schools, and support educator recruitme...

Host Jazzmone Sutton is joined by Massachusetts Music Educators Association Immediate Past President Tony Beatrice and Advocacy Chair Allyson Rottman for an inspiring conversation about their work to advance the Lowell Mason Arts Education Equity Act. This proposed legislation would dedicate an additional percentage of state education funding exclusively to arts education in Massachusetts school d...

Join host Jazzmone Sutton for a lively conversation with Annie Ray, Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Chair at Annandale High School, about building community through a local Parent Orchestra program. What began in 2018 with just 25 participants has grown to more than 200 caregivers learning instruments alongside their children, strengthening connections and deepening engagement in local scho...

In this heartfelt conversation, Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Franklin Willis, joins host Jazzmone Sutton to revisit a 2024 student project that grew far beyond its original vision, earning national recognition for the district’s music programs. What began as a simple call for students to create a song inspired by the district mantra “Every Student Known”...

Listen as Laura Arthur, Public Policy Chair for the OregonMusic Education Association, joins host Jazzmone Sutton to discuss why advocacy in music education must be proactive, not just reactive. Drawing on her transition from the classroom to policy work, Laura highlights both the challenges and opportunities of building sustainable, system-level advocacy. She introduces the concept of a “fire sup...

Tune in as Amy Schendel, a Montana-based music education advocate and Fine Arts Coordinator for Billings Public Schools, joins host Jazzmone Sutton to explore the power of community-building in advocacy. Amy emphasizes that by contributing in small but meaningful ways in their own communities, educators can create ripple effects that demonstrate the value of their music programs, deepen local rela...

In this episode of The Music Education Advocate Podcast , host Jazzmone Sutton sits down with Debbie Martinez, Nebraska Music Education Association Immediate Past President, for a candid conversation about working effectively with school and district administrators. Debbie shares practical tips for building trust, aligning your music program with school priorities, and navigating conversations aro...

In the season two premiere, West Virginia Music EducatorsAssociation Advocacy Chair Genesis Tomalko joins host Jazzmone Sutton for an inspiring conversation about stepping into advocacy leadership as a young musiceducator. From discovering her passion for music education toembracing advocacy early in her career, Genesis shares how mentorship, storytelling, and transformative Hill Day experiences s...

Join the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Christy Todd, and host Jazzmone Sutton as they discuss how to expand community engagement to meet the needs and goals of the students that we serve. Episode Resources: Story Arts   Hall Pass Entertainment   Share your thoughts on this episode by leaving a comment below, in the NAfME Amplify or send Jazzmone an email at advocacy@nafme.org. © 2023 National...

Join Amanda Karhuse, NAfME Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy and Public Policy; Zachary Keita, NAfME Advocacy and Public Policy Communications Manager; and podcast host Jazzmone Sutton, NAfME State Advocacy Engagement Manager, as they provide an update on federal education legislation and appropriations. Show Notes: Support Federal Funding Campaign - Add your voice to the national call to...

Join, James G. Daugherty, Arts Education and a Digital Learning Specialist for Davidson County Schools in Lexington, NC and host Jazzmone Sutton as they discuss developing an advocate mindset to advance music education.   Share your thoughts on this episode by leaving a comment below, on Amplify or send Jazzmone an email at advocacy@nafme.org. © 2023 National Association for Music Education

Students in Grand Island Public Schools in Grand Island, Nebraska, are experiencing more access to arts and music education, as well as resources, because of the collaborative advocacy and work of supporters and decision makers. Join host Jazzmone Sutton and Dr. Evan Lee, the Curriculum Coordinator for Fine Arts and Social Studies for Grand Island Public Schools, as they discuss using federal fund...

2023 Georgia Teacher of Year Michael Kobito has spent the past year using his voice to advocate for music and education for students and communities in Georgia. Join host, Jazzmone Sutton, and Michael as they discuss overcoming fear and developing the confidence to use your teacher voice in advocacy work.   If you have enjoyed this episode or have advocacy questions, send us a voice message below...

Join Jazzmone and NAfME President Scott R. Sheehan as they discuss how educators and advocates participate in the daily work of NAfME and music education. President Sheehan is the director of bands and music department chair at the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Join President Sheehan to celebrate the efforts of music educators and advocates on behalf of musi...

Join host, Jazzmone Sutton, and Rob Lyda, Chair of the NAfME General Music Council as they dive into using Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®) as an opportunity to shine a light on music education. In this episode, we also discuss authentic ways to include advocacy into our everyday work. Be sure to check out the MIOSM advocacy resources and Advocacy Leadership Force information below. Share your...

In this episode, Amy Hairston, Choral/General music and theatre teacher at Springbrook High School in Maryland, how she incorporates alumni, parents, administration, current students and more into her advocacy work for music education. Listen as we discuss how we are all advocates; we just have to figure out how we all can engage in the process. © 2023 National Association for...

In November 2022, voters in California passed an educational initiative securing funding for arts and music education. Join Anne Fennell, K-12 Music Program Manager for San Diego Unified School District and Russ Sperling, Director of Visual and Performing Arts for San Diego as they discuss the potential impact of Funding for Arts and Music Education in Public School Initiative . Resources:  D...

Relationships are fundamental to advocacy. Listen to New Mexico Music Education Association (NMEA) President, Amy Williams, and Executive Director, Neil Swapp, share how NMEA’s focus on building strong relationship with their membership has led to positive impacts for New Mexico music educators. Share your thoughts on this episode on the NAfME Amplify platform or with Jazzmone at advocacy@nafme.or...

Join Amanda Karhuse, Assistant Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, and Zachary Keita, Advocacy and Public Policy Communications Manager, as they share an update of the 2022 Federal Elections and how it may impact the music education landscape. Episode Notes: NAfME Advocacy Blog NAfME Local Advocacy Action  Share your thoughts on this episode on Amplify or with Jazzmone at advocacy@nafme.org. *...

Welcome to the Music Education Advocate Podcast! Join host, Jazzmone Sutton, and other music education advocates as they share stories of music education advocacy. *Music provided by Skilsel. © 2023 The National Association for Music Education