Dr. Rob Deemer is a composer, conductor, educator, author, and advocate. His work as an advocate for underrepresented composers led him to create the Institute for Composer Diversity and the Composer Diversity Database. Deemer is a Professor and Head of Composition at the State University of New York at Fredonia, the State Chair of the NYSSMA Composition/Improvisation Committee, and the Past Chair of the NAfME Council for Music Composition.

image of Hilton Long Beach hotel with copy 2026 Biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference. Long Beach, California. Call for proposals due February 23, 2026. Logos for Society for Music Teacher Education and Society for Research in Music Education
From Budget to Brilliance: Building Strong Music Programs. 2026 NAfME Music Program Leaders Forum. January 29-30, 2026. Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona. Image of Delta Hotels Marriott. Logos for NAfME Council of Music Program Leaders and Arizona Annual State Music Education Conference theme Teaching with Passion, Leading with Purpose
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