Inspiration, Tips, and Ideas from the NAfME Councils

Collegiate Advisory Council

• What United Through Music means to Council Western Division Representative Michael Ruybalid

Council for General Music Education

• Bob Wicks, Idaho Music Educators Association President and music educator in the Lewiston School District, speaks with Chair Stephanie Benischek
• Gabriel Gray, William A. Diggs Elementary School in Charles County, Maryland, and Maryland Music Educators Association President of the General Music component, Maryland General Music Teachers Association
• Estela Torres Guernsey, Council Northwest Division Representative—students share how music makes them feel connected to others (video 1, video 2, video 3)
• A student shares how music unites us; how music makes us successful; how music gives us a place to belong; why every student should have music; and how music makes us feel connected.
• Mr. C and one of his students share why every student should have music.
• Gail Shriver, Council Southwestern Division Representative, shares testimonials from students on why every student should have music.
• Michele Paynter Paise, Council Southern Division Representative, and one of her students shares how music connects us, why every student should have music, and her favorite thing about music class (video 1, video 2)
• Council Chair Stephanie Benischek and Dr. Ricky Hutton talk about why every student should have music.

Council of Music Program Leaders

• Teacher Spotlight: Doug Conrad, Urbana Middle School Band Director in Frederick, Maryland
• Teacher Spotlight: Gigi Albornoz, elementary music educator in Henrico County, Virginia
• Teacher Spotlight: Jaici Brewster, K–6 general music educator in Mesa, Arizona
• Teacher Spotlight: Koreen Bennett, middle school band and orchestra teacher from Vancouver, Washington

Music Honor Society Advisory Council

• Music In Our Schools Month Resolution by Superintendent Ray Rogers of Dillon District Four in South Carolina, from Council Southern Division Representative Kevin McLellan
• How the West Shamokin Jr-Sr High School Tri-M chapter celebrated Music In Our Schools Month last school year
• Punxsutawney High School’s Tri-M® chapter’s President and Vice President share how their chapter is active in the community

Council for Orchestral Education

• LaSaundra Belcher, Council Chair: video 1, video 2, video 3
• Tonya Suggs, Council Member-At-Large Representative: video 1, video 2, video 3
• Brett Noser, Council North Central Division Representative: broken rosin recommendation, why consistency matters
• Jerilynn Harris, Council Northwest Division Representative: blank string map, finger strength building reps

Council for Jazz Education

• From Dr. Roosevelt Griffin III, Council North Central Division Representative: West Lake High School Jazz Band of Smyrna, Georgia, after the Jazz Education Network Conference.
• From Council Chair Bethany Robinson: Former alumni and instructors from Noblesville High School (Noblesville, Indiana) with current students
• Allyssa Jones hosting Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds, Council Member-At-Large Representative, during a residency at University of South Florida
• From Lisa Linde, Council Member-At-Large Representative: Newton South high school jazz ensemble preparing to perform at the Charles Mingus Festival (link to come)
• From Jeremy Lumpkin, Council Chair-Elect and Southern Division Representative: The Hillgrove High School Jazz Orchestra performing at the 2025 Jazz Educator Network conference in Atlanta, Georgia. (link to come)
• From Bill Leather, Council Northwest Division Representative: Mount Si High School Jazz combo warming up in the KNKX studios (Seattle NPR station). (link to come)