The mission of the Council for General Music Education is to encourage and improve the quality of teaching and research in general music at all levels with particular attention given to general music instruction from preschool through grade 8.
NAfME Council for General Music Education Back-to-School Message from Chair Steph Benischek
April 26, 2025: 3rd Annual NAfME General Music Virtual Mini-Conference
Find Council resources in the NAfME Resource Library, searchable by teaching area, level, type of resource, and more.
Steph Benischek
Stephanie Benischek teaches K-5 general music at Star Elementary School in Star, Idaho. She received her Bachelor of Music Education in 1997 and Kodály certification in 2002 from Nebraska Wesleyan…
Council Members
Steph Benischek (2024-2026) Chair
Elementary General Music Educator
Star Elementary School
Meridian, Idaho
Rob Lyda (2024-2026) Past Chair
Music Teacher
Cary Woods Elementary School
Auburn, Alabama
Molly Park (2024-2026), Eastern Division Representative
Music Teacher
Howard County Public School System
Columbia, Maryland
BethAnn Hepburn (2023-2025), North Central Division Representative
Elementary & Middle School General Music Educator
Streetsboro City Schools
Streetsboro, Ohio
Estela Torres Guernsey (2024-2026), Northwest Division Representative
General and Instrumental Music Teacher
Paintbrush Elementary School
Gillette, Wyoming
Becky Halliday (2023-2025), Southern Division Representative
Professor of Music
University of Montevallo
Helena, Alabama
Gail Shriver (2024-2026) Southwestern Division Representative
General Music Teacher/Choir Director
Meadow Lane Elementary
Olathe, Kansas
Rene Canto-Adams (2024-2025), Western Division Representative
Judith Bush (2024-2025), Member-at-Large Representative
Music Teacher Leader
Lincoln Public Schools
Lincoln, Nebraska
Jonathan Dillon (2024-2025), Member-at-Large Representative
Assistant Professor of Music Education
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Ashleigh Lore (2024-2025), Member-at-Large Representative
BK-4th Elementary Educator & Education & Outreach Coordinator
Grand Ledge Public Schools & Lansing Symphony Orchestra
Lansing, Michigan
