The Music Education Advocate Podcast

In this episode, host Jazzmone Sutton is joined by her own colleague Amanda Karhuse, NAfME Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy and Public Policy, for a crash course on how federal policy shapes music education access and why advocacy matters. Amanda explains key federal programs that support music education—including Title I, Title II, Title IV-A, IDEA, the Assistance for Arts Education Program, and the National Endowment for the Arts—and outlines how advocates can help protect these key funding streams and advance legislation that expands access to music education.

Throughout the conversation, Amanda underscores the importance of advocates’ and shares ways listeners can participate in the upcoming NAfME Hill Day, even from afar, encouraging them to contact their members of Congress in support of music education. Whether you're new to advocacy or looking to deepen your engagement, this episode offers practical insights into how federal policy decisions affect students’ access to music education and how you can help make a difference.

For more information on the resources mentioned in thisepisode, check out the NAfME Hill Day page and federal funding toolkits. To support NAfME legislative priorities, reach out to your members of Congress today.

Host Jazzmone Sutton sits down with Christy Todd, Chief of Staff at the Georgia Department of Education, to discuss her journey from classroom music teacher to statewide education leader. Christy shares how serving as Georgia’s 2024 Teacher of the Year inspired her to further amplify teacher voices in decision-making, champion opportunities for creativity in schools, and support educator recruitment and mentorship through initiatives like “Teach in the Peach.”

Throughout the episode, Christy highlights how many impactful statewide initiatives and legislative changes begin with teachers speaking up about everyday classroom challenges. She offers practical advice for music education advocates, encouraging them to clearly identify problems, engage in solution-building, and remember that educators’ voices and expertise are essential in shaping meaningful change.

Listen to Christy’s previous episode and learn more about the Americans for the Arts data resources mentioned in the episode. 

Host Jazzmone Sutton is joined by Massachusetts Music Educators Association Immediate Past President Tony Beatrice and Advocacy Chair Allyson Rottman for an inspiring conversation about their work to advance the Lowell Mason Arts Education Equity Act. This proposed legislation would dedicate an additional percentage of state education funding exclusively to arts education in Massachusetts school districts, creating stronger support for educator salaries, professional development, and long-term investment in music and arts programs statewide.

Together, Tony and Allyson share the story behind the initiative, how they built a compelling case for lawmakers, and the grassroots advocacy efforts that helped turn an idea into a growing movement. They also offer practical strategies for meeting with legislative staff, finding champions for arts education across political lines, and understanding how every advocate’s voice can help shape lasting change.

Click here to download the state-level model legislation resources mentioned in this episode.

Join host Jazzmone Sutton for a lively conversation with Annie Ray, Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Chair at Annandale High School, about building community through a local Parent Orchestra program. What began in 2018 with just 25 participants has grown to more than 200 caregivers learning instruments alongside their children, strengthening connections and deepening engagement in local school music programs.

Annie emphasizes the importance of viewing music education as a partnership not just between teachers and students, but with parents—a key piece often missing in public schools that Parent Orchestra helps restore. She shares how the group was formed and offers guidance for educators interested in launching similar initiatives in their own communities. She explores how parent participation helps families better understand students’ musical journeys, creates meaningful mentorship opportunities, and fosters relationships that might not otherwise form. Annie highlights the value of authentic, community-centered music experiences and shares how educators can advance advocacy simply by sharing stories from their classrooms.

Contact Annie Ray at [email protected] to learn more!

In this heartfelt conversation, Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Franklin Willis, joins host Jazzmone Sutton to revisit a 2024 student project that grew far beyond its original vision, earning national recognition for the district’s music programs. What began as a simple call for students to create a song inspired by the district mantra “Every Student Known” evolved into a fully student-produced album, “I Believe I Belong,” and an Emmy-winning documentary.

Franklin highlights how bold creative asks, intentional partnerships, and student-centered storytelling can bolster music education advocacy efforts. He reflects on the importance of taking risks and embracing rejection to unlock meaningful opportunities for students. Ultimately, he exemplifies how investing in student creativity can not only transform their futures but elevate programs, strengthen communities, and build lasting support for the arts along the way.

Check out the district’s original song, full album, and Emmy-winning documentary: https://www.mnps.org/departments/arts/i-believe-i-belong

Listen as Laura Arthur, Public Policy Chair for the OregonMusic Education Association, joins host Jazzmone Sutton to discuss why advocacy in music education must be proactive, not just reactive. Drawing on her transition from the classroom to policy work, Laura highlights both the challenges and opportunities of building sustainable, system-level advocacy.

She introduces the concept of a “fire suppression system”for advocacy, emphasizing the importance of having strategies in place that help prevent issues before they arise. From asking the right questions and aligning with standards to defining clear, data-driven asks, Laura shares practical ways educators can take small, intentional steps to strengthen their programs. She stresses the value of staying proactive, reminding us that effective advocacy is less about grand gestures and more about consistent, thoughtful actions that center student impact.

As mentioned in the episode, OMEA's advocacy toolkit is available here: https://oregonmea.org/advocacy/advocacy-toolkit/

Tune in as Amy Schendel, a Montana-based music education advocate and Fine Arts Coordinator for Billings Public Schools, joins host Jazzmone Sutton to explore the power of community-building in advocacy. Amy emphasizes that by contributing in small but meaningful ways in their own communities, educators can create ripple effects that demonstrate the value of their music programs, deepen local relationships, and lay the groundwork for lasting advocacy.

Drawing on her experience teaching in rural Montana, she shares how music educators across the state sustain advocacy efforts and mentorship, even when many work in siloed roles and often travel hours away to connect with the nearest peer. She reflects on how the state’s annual conference serves as a vital gathering point where shared experiences, intentional connection, and mutual support strengthen both mentorship and statewide advocacy.

Learn more about federal legislation supporting educator recruitment and retention: https://nafme.org/advocacy/arts-education-alliance/#related-bills

In this episode of The Music Education Advocate Podcast, host Jazzmone Sutton sits down with Debbie Martinez, Nebraska Music Education Association Immediate Past President, for a candid conversation about working effectively with school and district administrators.

Debbie shares practical tips for building trust, aligning your music program with school priorities, and navigating conversations around budgets, staffing, and scheduling. From strengthening everyday communication to positioning music education as essential to student success, this episode offers down-to-earth advice to help educators approach admin as partners in advocacy—not obstacles.

In the season two premiere, West Virginia Music EducatorsAssociation Advocacy Chair Genesis Tomalko joins host Jazzmone Sutton for an inspiring conversation about stepping into advocacy leadership as a young musiceducator.

From discovering her passion for music education toembracing advocacy early in her career, Genesis shares how mentorship, storytelling, and transformative Hill Day experiences shaped her leadership journey. She reflects on finding the confidence to claim her seat at the table, helping expand advocacy efforts across West Virginia, and why new leaders don’t have to have all of the answers to make a lasting impact.

Join the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Christy Todd, and host Jazzmone Sutton as they discuss how to expand community engagement to meet the needs and goals of the students that we serve.

Episode Resources:

Story Arts 

Hall Pass Entertainment 

Share your thoughts on this episode by leaving a comment below, in the NAfME Amplify or send Jazzmone an email at [email protected].

© 2023 National Association for Music Education