CMEA: California Music Educators Association

09/02/2026

🎙️ CMEA Chats — Episode 1 is here!

We’re kicking off our very first episode of CMEA Chats with Carrie O’Neill, CMEA North Coast Section President! 🎶

Join us as we chat about music education, advocacy, leadership, and what’s happening across the North Coast Section.

🎧 Episode 1 is available now! Tune in on our socials and on YouTube, get to know Carrie, and join the conversation!

08/27/2026

🎙️ Introducing CMEA Chats!

We’re excited to launch CMEA Chats, a new podcast series featuring CMEA President Dr. David Betancourt and voices from across music education in California!

Each month, we hope to sit down with educators, leaders, and special guests for conversations about music education, advocacy, leadership, our programs, and the work happening across our state.
This is a space to connect, share ideas, and talk about what matters to California music educators.

🎧 Stay tuned — our first CMEA Chat is coming soon!

🎙️ Introducing CMEA Chats!We’re excited to launch CMEA Chats, a n...

08/26/2026

https://nafmeorg.quorum.us/campaign/167843/

08/24/2026

🎶 Congratulations to all of the ensembles selected to perform at the 2027 CMEA State Band & Orchestra Festival! 🎶

A huge thank you to the many outstanding ensembles who applied this year. We appreciate your dedication to music education and your commitment to providing meaningful musical experiences for your students.

We look forward to hearing the selected ensembles perform at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center on
April 30, 2027! 🎺🎻

08/19/2026

🍎 Student Teachers: Check This Out!

California’s Student Teacher Stipend Program provides eligible student teachers with a $10,000 stipend while completing unpaid student teaching!

Funding is first-come, first-served, so be sure to check with your credential program or placement district for more information.

🔗 Learn more through the CTC website!

https://www.ctc.ca.gov/program-sponsors/grant-funded-programs/student-teacher-stipend/

08/16/2026

We are thrilled to announce our 3rd annual, CMEA Multi-Musical State Festival, happening as part of this year's California All-State Music Education Conference in Sacramento!

📍Wednesday, January 13, 2027 at the Crest Sacramento Theatre — a beautiful venue just a short walk from the SAFE Credit Union Convention and Performing Arts District!

This unique festival showcases school ensembles that explore creative, mixed, and popular music formats. Each group will perform and receive an on-stage clinic with prominent guest clinicians, plus recorded feedback to take back to the classroom.

📆 Applications (including recordings are due October 1, 2026. For more information and to apply » click here https://calmusiced.com/membership-services/state-festivals/ -id-3



National Association for Music Education Northcoast CMEA CMEA Capitol Section CMEA Bay Section CMEA Central Coast Section CMEA Central Section CMEA Southeastern Section CMEA Southwestern Section CMEA-SBS (CA Music Education Association, Southern Border Section

08/12/2026

This summer, nine collegiate music education students from California represented our state at the 2026 NAfME Collegiate Leadership Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C.!
Throughout the summit, students connected with fellow collegiate music educators from across the country, participated in leadership and advocacy training, and learned more about the role they can play in shaping the future of music education.

The experience culminated with NAfME Hill Day, where students headed to Capitol Hill to meet with congressional representatives and staff and advocate for music education at the federal level.

CMEA is proud to see California’s future music educators developing their voices as leaders and advocates for our profession. Congratulations to all nine students who represented our state! 🎶👏

08/11/2026

CMEA Leadership at Work! 🎶

Our CMEA leaders from across California came together in Sacramento for our August Board of Directors Meeting! From our Executive Board to our Section Presidents, these music educators represent communities across the state and help guide CMEA’s work in supporting, connecting, and advocating for music educators throughout California along with prepping for the upcoming year!

Executive Board
🎵 David Betancourt — President
🎵 Jenny Gee — Vice President
🎵 Emelynn Montoya — Secretary
🎵 Trish Adams — Executive Administrator
🎵 Chad Zullinger — Past President

Section Presidents
📍 Bay — Jonathan Pwu
📍 Capitol — Mike Mangonon
📍 Central — Ashley Shine-Dirlam
📍 Central Coast — Brandon Ellsworth
📍 North Coast — Carrie O’Niell
📍 Northern — Ethan Jacobsen
📍 Southeastern — Troy Trimble
📍 Southern Border — Michael Gray
📍 Southwestern — Megan Foley

We’re grateful for the leadership and dedication of our Executive Board and Section Presidents and excited for all that’s ahead for CMEA this year!

Be sure to follow your local CMEA Section and stay connected with music education happening throughout California! 🎶

07/31/2026

CMEA Members!

Mark your calendars for the 2026 NAfME Biennial Music Research and Teacher Education Conference, September 30–October 3 at the Hilton Long Beach.

Early-bird registration ends August 14!

Learn more and register: https://nafme.org/event/2026-biennial-nafme-music-research-and-teacher-education-conference/

07/18/2026

CMEA was included in the recent EdSource article about the progress and ongoing challenges of AMS/Proposition 28 implementation. Immediate Past President, Dr. Chad Zullinger, reflects on CMEA's ongoing role in statewide policy and advocacy conversations.

The CMEA Advocacy Team played an active role throughout the legislative process for AB 2440, the Arts and Music in Schools: Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi). Our work focused on strengthening implementation of Proposition 28 and supporting the expansion of arts and music programs for California's students.

Read more here: https://edsource.org/2026/california-schools-arts-funding/762315

National Association for Music Education Northcoast CMEA CMEA Capitol Section CMEA Bay Section CMEA Central Coast Section CMEA Central Section CMEA Southeastern Section CMEA Southwestern Section CMEA-SBS (CA Music Education Association, Southern Border Section

CA lawmakers hope to address the “chilling effect" of schools leaving Prop. 28 funds unspent three years after the voter-approved mandate for arts education.