NAfME Awards Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarships to Allyson Horvath of the University of Indianapolis and Amari Junkins of Ohio Northern University

NAfME Awards Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarships to Allyson Horvath of the University of Indianapolis and Amari Junkins of Ohio Northern University

HERNDON, VA (June 23, 2025) – The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) honored Allyson Horvath of the University of Indianapolis and Amari Junkins of Ohio Northern University as the recipients of the 2025 Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship. Allyson and Amari were presented the scholarships during the June 2025 NAfME National Leadership Assembly and Collegiate Leadership Advocacy Summit. The Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship was created by Shannon’s family and friends in coordination with NAfME to honor her exemplary life and her love of teaching music. The scholarship award is open to current NAfME Collegiate members, who have been nominated for NAfME Collegiate Professional Achievement Recognition.

“I can think of no better way to celebrate the legacy of Shannon Kelly Kane’s influence and reach than by applauding the accomplishments and promise of these two exceptional individuals,” stated NAfME President Deb Confredo. “On behalf of the National Executive Board, I am delighted to congratulate Allyson (Ally) Horvath (University of Indianapolis) and Amari Junkins (Ohio Northern University), the 2025 recipients of the Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship. As a pre-service music educator, Ally has already developed a track record of service to the profession. Her devotion to teaching is evident and her passion for connecting arts education experiences underscores her belief in collaboration as a path toward growth. Amari stands as a magnificent model for other pre-service music educators in her action-oriented approach. She exemplifies unity and strength through her work as artist, educator, and advocate. The journey to the profession for these award recipients has already been high-powered and fruitful. We can’t wait to see what is next for them, and we are certain that the profession will be better off for their selfless efforts. Congratulations, Ally and Amari!”

Allyson Horvath (“Ally”), in her fourth year at the University of Indianapolis, has served as secretary, treasurer, and Vice President of the University of Indianapolis NAfME Collegiate chapter. “During her studies at the University of Indianapolis, Ally has been awarded multiple scholarships, grants, and awards,” shared Laurie C. Williams, Director of Music Education Programs and Orchestra & String Studies at the University of Indianapolis. “In 2023 and 2024, she received the George Thomas and Dorthymae Beeson Rush Scholarship for promise as a future vocal music educator. In the 2024-25 school year, she received the Indianapolis Alumni Scholarship from the Indianapolis Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. Most recently she was named as a 2025 IMEA Outstanding Future Music Educator Award recipient. To say that I am proud of Ally would be an understatement.”

“Her proudest accomplishment that year [2022–2023] was working with ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) to train UIndy music education students in the adjudication process and apply those skills to adjudicate for a contest with the Indianapolis Public Schools … ,” Williams added. “These students do not attend the same area and state contests that most schools are going to, so giving these students an opportunity to perform and receive feedback from individuals other than their teachers is always a great experience for them, as well.”

Ally’s work during the 2023–2024 school year—including collaborating with Kids Dance Outreach, who work with a diverse group of students including able-bodied children to students with mobility issues, and establishing a now-annual NAfME Collegiate chapter banquet—led to the chapter being recognized as the 2024 Indiana Music Education Association Outstanding NAfME Collegiate Chapter and receiving the 2024 National Chapter of Excellence Award for Service.

“In service, Ally exemplifies selflessness and passion for music education … ,” continued Williams along with Rebecca Sorley, Chair of the Department of Music at the University of Indianapolis in their nomination letter. “Ally is a strong leader who loves teachers and teaching. … In the future, she plans to be a fearless advocate for the arts in our schools as well as an educator. Our NAfME Collegiate chapter will be attending the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) ‘Days of Action’ on April 14, 2026, at the state capitol. We will be meeting with our representatives and having lunch with ISTA board members. She will be a part of making our voices heard concerning the removal of fine arts from the basic high school diploma in our state and advocate for the protection of fine arts class time in all levels of education.”

Amari Junkins, in her third year at Ohio Northern University (ONU), has been the President for the ONU NAfME Collegiate chapter for the past two school years. She “is an exemplary leader, educator, academician, and musician,” shared Rebecca L. Casey, Associate Professor of Music at ONU and chapter advisor; Joan Robbins, Chair of Music for the ONU School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Department of Performing Arts; and Kyler Lampton, Historian for the ONU NAfME Collegiate chapter in their nomination letter.

“As a future educator, Amari demonstrates remarkable skills and leadership and in musical skill/academics,” they continued. “She seeks out non-curricular opportunities to observe and teach by volunteering as a low brass instructor and giving free private lessons in Ada Schools. She also assists with their band camp, middle school sectionals, and Solo & Ensemble preparation. Additionally she has experience as a wind instructor and band camp counselor for Kenton High School. … Amari also works as a substitute teacher in Allen County, subbing not only in music but in other areas as well to gain additional “hands-on” experience, especially in classroom management skills. She has taught instrumental lessons in several local school systems.”

Regarding her work with her NAfME Collegiate chapter at ONU, Casey added, “I am extraordinarily impressed with her skills and potential. She served very effectively for the past two years as President and has committed significant time and effort to help elevate the organization a directionless disorganized group in 2021–2022 to a much larger, more active, effective, and focused chapter. Membership has doubled since before her presidency.” Casey shared Amari’s work on updating the bylaws and improving communications with membership via the website and social media as well as participation in NAfME Collegiate Kickoff Week activities in the fall. “Amari and the Publicity Committee also posted content each day for MIOSM® [Music In Our Schools Month® in March].”

Amari’s work with recruiting potential music education majors is notable as well, including organizing an ambitious “Spend-A-Day with ONU Music” event attended by 26 prospective music majors from Ohio high schools during which they could, among other things, shadow music students to gain understanding of a “typical day in ONU Music.” She also “writes personalized handwritten notes to all students who audition at ONU and serves as a student liaison between ONU music and our prospective students” and has organized guest speaker events for the music student body, connecting ONU and other Ohio NAfME Collegiate chapters with the Ohio Music Education Association.

Amari “is ambitious, organized, communicative, forward-thinking, goal-oriented, entrepreneurial, and clear in her expectations for others,” continued Casey. “She delegates tasks effectively and respects others talent. She meets challenges head on with professionalism, efficiency, and a positive outlook. I am deeply impressed with her maturity, high level of involvement, and success, not only at the college level at ONU, but also statewide through her work with the State Board. I believe it will not be long until Amari is a highly influential, popular, and successful leader at the national level.”

Learn about past recipients of the Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship, NAfME Collegiate Chapter of Excellence Recognition, and NAfME Collegiate Professional Achievement Awards. To learn more about the NAfME Collegiate program, visit nafme.org/membership/collegiate.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Catherina Hurlburt at NAfME
catherinah@nafme.org or (571) 323-3395

###

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is a collaborative community that supports music educators and advocates for equitable access to music education. The only association that addresses all aspects of music education, NAfME, together with its affiliated state music education associations, advocates at the national, state, and local levels and provides resources and opportunities for teachers, students, parents, and administrators. Founded in 1907 and representing more than 57,000 members teaching millions of students, NAfME advances the music education profession and promotes lifelong experiences in music.

Follow NAfME on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme) and Instagram (instagram.com/nafme). Follow NAfME Collegiate on Facebook (facebook.com/cnafme) and Instagram (instagram.com/nafmecollegiateofficial). For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at catherinah@nafme.org or 703-860-4000.