Orchestrating Opportunity: Expanding Music Education Pathways Through CTE

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is expanding rapidly across states and districts—but what does it mean for music educators and music programs? This webinar will provide a practical, policy-informed overview of CTE, including the federal Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V), how funding flows to states and districts, and what types of programs qualify for support.

Participants will explore how music-related pathways—such as music performance, recording and production, audio engineering, and stage technology—can align with CTE career clusters while maintaining artistic rigor and integrity. Speakers will share real-world examples of successful CTE-aligned music programs and hear directly from music educators who are dual-certified in both music and CTE, offering insight into credentialing, curriculum design, and cross-department collaboration.

The session will also directly address common questions and concerns from the field, including whether CTE programs compete with or strengthen traditional music education offerings; how to ensure that CTE pathways complement, rather than replace comprehensive music programs; and what safeguards can help ensure certified music educators lead music-based CTE programs.

By the end of the webinar, attendees will:

• Understand the structure and intent of federal CTE policy and funding.
• Identify music programs that may qualify for CTE support.
• Recognize opportunities to expand student pathways in music-related careers.
• Gain strategies to advocate for strong, educator-led music CTE programs that enhance—not diminish—existing music education offerings.

This session is designed to equip music educators with the knowledge and tools to engage confidently in CTE conversations at the school, district, and state levels.

Speakers

• Bryan Powell (moderator), Chief Program Officers, Music Will
• Dr. Latasha Casterlow-Lalla, Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts, Passaic Public Schools (NJ)
• Danielle Collins, Director of Arts, Media, and Entertainment, Inspire EDU
• 3rd Speaker TBD
• Amanda Karhuse (conclusion), Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy and Public Policy, NAfME

Webinar Co-Hosts

• Grammy Museum
• Inspire EDU
• Music Will
• NAMM
• National Association for Music Education
• Save The Music

To submit questions before the webinar, please fill out this form.

NOTE THAT A COURSE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS WEBINAR. A recording will be available in NAfME’s Advocacy Resource Center following the program.

The views expressed are those of the presenter; they do not necessarily reflect the views of NAfME.