The mission of the council is to advance orchestral music education by supporting and advising orchestral music educators in their professional endeavors and to have influence in the development of new and quality string programs nationally.
Head back-to-school with these tips from members of the NAfME Council for Orchestral Education
Find Council resources in the NAfME Resource Library, searchable by teaching area, level, type of resource, and more.
LaSaundra Belcher
LaSaundra Belcher is a National Board Certified teaching artist, inventor, author, conductor, and arts administrator. Belcher was named one of 50 Directors who Make A Difference by School Band and…
Council Members
LaSaundra Belcher (2024-2026) Chair
Executive Director
Wake Forest Community Youth Orchestra
Wake Forest, North Carolina
Elizabeth Fortune, (2024-2026) Past Chair
Associate Director
Washington Music Educators Association
Seattle, Washington
Emily Schaad (2024-2026) Eastern Division Representative
Director of Orchestral Activities
State University of New York at Fredonia
Fredonia, New York
Chung Park (2023-2025), North Central Division Representative
Associate Professor, Music Conductor, St. Olaf and Philharmonia Orchestras
St. Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota
Jerilynn Harris (2024-2026), Northwest Division Representative
Orchestra Director, Odyssey Program at the Libby Center
Spokane Public Schools
Spokane, Washington
Corie Benton (2023-2025), Southern Division Representative
Orchestra Director
Pope High School
Marietta, Georgia
Brigido (Beau) S. Garza (2024-2026), Southwestern Division Representative
Director of Orchestras
Midland Legacy High School
Midland, Texas
Angela Harman (2023-2025), Western Division Representative
Orchestra Teacher
Nebo School District
Spanish Fork, Utah
Krissi Davis (2024-2025), Member-At-Large Representative
Orchestra Director
Midtown High School
Atlanta, Georgia
Tonya Suggs (2024-2025), Member-At-Large Representative
String Instructor
Wake Forest Community Youth Orchestra
Wake Forest, North Carolina
Rosalind-Denise Rogers (2024-2025), Member-At-Large Representative
Orchestra Teacher / Founder/ Executive Director
East St Louis - Lincoln Middle School/ Inner Ear Foundation
East St Louis, Illinois
