NAMM member Mark Despotakis discusses the importance of bringing everyone to the table to advance music education advocacy efforts, the value of attending The NAMM Show as a music educator, and being part of the “SupportMusic Coalition.”

Arts education leader Eric Booth spent the last 13 years working with El Sistema-inspired programs that bring music education opportunities to children and youth that also propel community connections. Booth talks about his beginnings as a Broadway actor, moving to Tanzania and Venezuela as a teacher, and working with The NAMM Foundation to grow a new El Sistema program in a Texas/Mexico border community where realities of immigration impact students and their families.

Steve Venz, Chief Program Officer of Little Kids Rock -a NAMM Foundation grantee- shares his insight as a devoted music education advocate including a review of resources
available to teachers and administrators to serve as champions for music education in their communities.

Stephanie Landino, senior at Millersville University, PA chats about attending The 2019 NAMM Show through the GenNext program and how it boosted her college-to-career path.

Chris Martin, president and CEO of Martin Guitar, discusses his recent role as Founding-Chair of The NAMM Foundation. Martin chats about a few things he finds to be remarkable, namely picking up a ukulele for the first time, digital technology and the meaning and rewards of donating to The NAMM Foundation.

Mike Reisman, President of MKTG, reflects on the life and loves of his late wife Liz Reisman: playing the flute, a vision for music education opportunities, and activism for elephants in Thailand. Reisman shares the reasons to creating The Liz Reisman Fund for School Music Education in The NAMM Foundation.

Robert Morrison, founder of Quadrant Arts Education Research, the nation’s leading arts education research and intelligence organization, joins host Mary Luehrsen to discuss the Drum Corps experience and what he did to change marching ensembles for years to come.

Bernie Williams joins guest host Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM, at NASMD. Bernie shares how his resiliency and determination in both baseball and music led to overall excellence in both fields.

NAMM Young Professionals (NAMM YP) is a network of music industry professionals under the age of 40. Several NAMM YP’ers joined us live at NASMD to talk about their roles in the music products industry, and the windy roads that led them to their current careers: Mark Despotakis, Progressive Music; Stephanie Murphy, DANSR; Nick Averwater; and Ryan West, West Music.

Mike Meyer- of Meyer Music and current president of the National Association of School Dealers- discusses his motivation for making sure music education programs are present in communities across the country. In this podcast episode Mike highlights supporting music education in schools and how to help music educators get more kids playing music.