National Association for Music Education

Save the date! The Iowa Music Educators Association 2026 Professional Development Conference takes place November 19–21 at the Iowa State Center – Scheman Building.

Iowa MEA 2026 Professional Development Conference – NAfME Call for session proposals

The June 2026 issue of ‘Teaching Music’ magazine is now available at NAfME’s website, exclusively in digital format. Beginning with this issue, the June issue replaces the traditional August print issue. The October, January, and April issues will be available in print and online format as they are currently. Additional articles will be published in this issue in early August. Log in to read new articles now: https://nafme.org/publications-resources/teaching-music/

New articles include:

*Sustaining Your Teacher Voice: Maintaining Vocal Health

*Beyond the Arrangements: The Hidden Skills Every Successful Music Educator Needs Today

*Jam Session: What is the one thing you do over the summer that saves you time and alleviates stress for the next school year?

*More than Routine: How a Thoughtfully Designed Warm-Up Can Enhance Your Lesson

*Planning Your Year: Balancing Classroom Requirements and Administrative Tasks

And many more informative articles!

Check your email inbox for NAfME Notes! News on the Biennial Music Research and Teacher Education conference, advocating for music education funding and policy and supporting NAfME Hill Day from home, highlighting state music education advocates, upcoming events, and more. Subscribe for biweekly updates on music education: https://bit.ly/NAfMESubscribe Check out the archives: https://bit.ly/NAfMENotes

Mark your calendars for the VMEA - Virginia Music Educators Association 2026 Professional Development Conference taking place at the Greater Richmond Convention Center November 18–21! (Registration opens August 1.) Learn more: https://nafme.org/event/2026-virginia-mea-professional-development-conference/

Congratulations to NAfME member Dr. Otis L. Eldridge, Jr. on being named the Baltimore City Public Schools Teacher of the Year! Learn more: https://news.maryland.gov/msde/2026-2027-teachers-of-the-year/

🎉 Congratulations to an outstanding Maryland music educator who has been named Baltimore City’s Teacher of the Year for 2026-2027, as recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education!

Dr. Otis L. Eldridge Jr. teaches at Hamilton Elementary School in Baltimore City, and has been a dedicated MMEA board member for the past four years.

We also extend our congratulations to the many exceptional music educators who were nominated and considered during this process.

Learn more about the Maryland Teacher of the Year program and read about the district finalists:
https://news.maryland.gov/msde/2026-2027-teachers-of-the-year/

NAfME is proud to endorse the Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act, introduced today by U.S. Senator Tim Kaine and Rep Jahana Hayes! This legislation “would provide funding for school districts to enhance and or establish mentoring and induction programs for new teachers and school leaders with less than two years’ experience.”

Read more about this bill here:

Kaine, Hayes Introduce Legislation to Provide Mentorship, Training to New Teachers | U.S. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and U.S....

Do you have a student entering high school and have concerns about juggling their studies and activities? NAfME member Erin Zaffini relates. “Students need to be taught to be more self-sufficient, and that does take time,” she writes. “But if we step back and give students more opportunities to practice taking ownership—while making sure they know support is there when they need it—we help them grow into more confident, independent musicians. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?!?

“That’s the heart of student agency. It’s about letting them take the wheel in manageable, intentional ways while we walk alongside as guides.”

Read more:

Level-Up Student Agency How to Do Less for Your Students So They Can Do More!

Last week, NAfME Senior Manager for State Advocacy and Equity Jazzmone Sutton traveled to New Mexico to attend the vibrant, creativity-filled AFTACON 2026! ☀️

During a dynamic panel discussion, Jazzmone emphasized the importance of state-level advocacy and highlighted the MAESTRO Act, model state legislation recently developed by NAfME to help advocates advance state-specific policies that expand access to high-quality music and arts education.

In addition to engaging in a thoughtful conversation with moderator Pam Breaux and fellow panelists Georgia Gempler, and Claire Rice, Jazzmone connected and shared stories with Rachel Rivard and fellow Arts North Carolina leaders Nate McGaha, Katie Cornell, and Rhonda Bellamy.

During the event, she also spent time exploring the lively arts scene and culture of Albuquerque, an inspiring reminder of how essential arts education is to a thriving community.

Learn more about the MAESTRO Act here: https://bit.ly/MAESTRO-Act

Americans for the Arts

Montana music educators: The Montana Music Educators Association Conference will be held in Bozeman at Gallatin High School, October 15–16, 2026.

Montana MEA Conference 2026 – NAfME The Montana Music Educators Association Conference will be held in Bozeman at Gallatin High School. More information coming soon!​​​​​ MMEA Registration Costs for 2026 Conference Registration for NAfME Members: $70 If you are within the first two years of your teaching career, you are elig...