VMEA - Virginia Music Educators Association

Another for the books! We are proud to have joined nearly 300 advocates on
Capitol Hill to amplify the importance of music education and the need for strong federal
support of programs and legislation that expand access to the arts. We were grateful to
meet with all of our members of Congress to discuss how legislative and programmatic support can help expand music education opportunies for students in Virginia and across the country. Let’s keep the momentum going!
Keep advocating by contacting your members of Congress: bit.ly/nafme-hill-day-2026

We would like to take a moment to shoutout our amazing Virginia Delegation who participated in the NAfME Hill Day! We had the BEST team filled with state leaders, supervisors, educators and collegiate students who visited all 13 offices AND the Virgin Islands to share their stories and advocate for music education. Thank you for your leadership and service to VMEA!

Congratulations VMEA - Virginia Music Educators Association!! This is a special national recognition for a special legislative season that pushed our leadership to ensure THE BEST for our students!!! Thanks to our Advocacy and Government Relations leaders Michelle Milligan, Nick Leonard alongside many additional Virginia leaders who brought collaboration and collective impact to this work!! BRAVO!!

It’s a great day to advocate for music education! As part of , we are joining educators and advocates from across the country to highlight the importance of music education and the critical role federal funding plays in sustaining high-quality programs and expanding opportunities for students. Contact your member of Congress today and tell them why music education matters to you: bit.ly/nafme-hill-day-2026

As school closes, we think fondly back on our All Virginia Event in Richmond!!! Enjoy these images from the event!!!

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It was an AWESOME day in Richmond for the ceremonial signing for HB 478 for the new Virginia Fine Arts Diploma Seal with Governor Abigail Spanberger and Delegate Vivian Watts. We have the most amazing arts education advocates and we are so proud of the work we do! Thanks to Michelle Milligan and Nick Leonard for their leadership, and Annie Ray, Chris Moseley and Annamarie Severini Bollino for representing VMEA on this historic signing!!

We share with profound sadness and grief the passing of educator and friend Doug Martin on May 18, 2026.

Doug dedicated years of service to our community, serving VMEA - Virginia Music Educators Association as head of the Conference Logistics Committee and Treasurer, as well as VBODA - Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors' Association as the Grading Committee Chair.

We offer our deepest condolences to all who are mourning his loss this week—including his wife, children, family, students, colleagues, and the countless others who benefited from Doug's incredible influence. www.vmea.com/in-memorium

VMEA and Arts Advocates - Join NAfME in this important advocacy effort!

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies meets soon to address the FY27 budget. Make sure your elected officials hear from you and federal education funding supporting music education is strengthened! Email Congress now: https://nafmeorg.quorum.us/campaign/157362/

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies meets soon to address the FY27 budget. Make sure your elected officials hear from you and federal education funding supporting music education is strengthened! Email Congress now: https://nafmeorg.quorum.us/campaign/157362/