Candidates for 2026–2028 NAfME National President-Elect
Judy
Bush
View Judy's profile to learn more about her experience and vision.
Patrick K.
Freer
View Patrick's profile to learn more about his experience and vision.
Hear from the Candidates
Moderated Question and Answer Session at June 2025 NAfME National Leadership Assembly—See the candidates' individual responses below or read the complete transcript.
Question 1: The conceptual framework of NAfME’s strategic plan highlights the importance of passion, lifelong learning, and a commitment to music education. Can you share a personal story or experience that shaped your values as a music educator and leader? How has this experience influenced your personal vision as a leader in NAfME, as well as your approach to serving our diverse membership and collaboration with the state MEAs?
Question 2: Describe what you believe are the critical issues in music education that require a clear, unified national direction. As president, how would you navigate the balance of providing clear, unified national direction on critical issues in music education and empowering state affiliates to develop their own approaches?
Question 3: NAfME’s strategic plan emphasizes building coalitions and grassroots advocacy to ensure equitable access to music education. How can NAfME strengthen advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels? What steps would you take to expand the reach and impact of the association's advocacy initiatives?
Question 4: Given NAfME’s commitment to equity as a keystone of its strategic plan, how will you ensure that the association continues to advance equity and access in music education, particularly in light of evolving federal positions on DEI, while simultaneously preserving NAfME's future ability to serve members?
Question 5: Delivering professional development through online or virtual methods, as well as through our journals and magazine, has continued to be an effective method of supporting NAfME members in recent years. Recognizing the importance of responsive, timely, and relevant professional development for members, what do you see as the top priorities for professional learning, and how would you lead NAfME in reviewing and promoting our professional learning resources - particularly to those who may not realize what exists for them?
Question 6: How should NAfME position itself to ensure growth, sustainability, and relevancy as it relates to the current political climate, the need to recruit and retain music educators, and the financial realities faced by school systems and our family of associations?
Question 7: Would you like to share any last remarks with the audience before we close?
2026 NAfME Elections
Information about division candidates and proposed bylaws amendments will be posted soon. Current NAfME membership during the voting period is required to vote.