United Through Music: Shaping Policy to Impact Futures

NAfME, NAMM, and the CMA Foundation are coming together to host a congressional briefing marking more than 40 years of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®)—a nationwide celebration that shines a spotlight on the transformative power and enduring importance of music education in our schools.

This convening will take place on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 1–2 PM ET.

Watch the livestream at 1 PM ET on March 5, 2026

The event will feature a dynamic discussion on the importance of making music education accessible to all students in our schools. In celebration of MIOSM®, the gathering will provide Members of Congress, congressional staff, and policymakers with real-world insights on how high-quality music education programs benefit students of all ages and bring value to communities. The briefing will highlight the need for a united front to advance policies that shape a bright future for music education in schools nationwide.

Speakers will include:

• Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez – United States Representative NY-07
• Christopher Woodside – Executive Director, NAfME
• John Mlynczak – President and CEO, NAMM
• Michelle Kirk – Senior Director, CMA Foundation

With a panel discussion from:

• Cecil Adderley – President, NAfME; Berklee College of Music, MA
• Jesse Cannon II – Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Fort Worth ISD, TX; Past-President, TMEA
• Megan Perdue – 2025 Music Teacher of Excellence, Sheldon High School, Eugene School District 4J, OR
• Mia Morrow – NAfME Collegiate Chapter President, George Mason University, VA

*This event is designed to comply with Senate and House ethics rules.