Orchestrating Opportunity: Expanding Music Education Pathways Through CTE

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is growing nationwide, and it’s important to understand what that means for music programs. This April 29, 2026, webinar offered a practical, policy-focused overview of CTE, including Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, funding structures, and program eligibility.

Panelists discussed how music pathways—performance, recording and production, audio engineering, and stage technology—can align with CTE career clusters while preserving artistic rigor. They also shared examples of successful programs, with insights on credentials, curriculum, and cross-department collaboration.

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Speakers

• Bryan Powell (moderator), Chief Program Officers, Music Will
• Latasha Casterlow-Lalla, Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts, Passaic Public Schools (NJ)
• Danielle Collins, Director of Arts, Media, and Entertainment, Inspire EDU
• Cody Talarico, Senior Director, K-12 Partnerships, Music Will
• Amanda Karhuse (conclusion), Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy and Public Policy, NAfME

The webinar was co-hosted by Grammy Museum, Inspire EDU, Music Will, NAMM, The National Association for Music Education, and Save The Music.