SupportMusic Coalition Webinar Highlights State Alliance Strategies

March 31, 2026

The SupportMusic Coalition convened advocates, educators and industry partners on March 25 for a webinar focused on building effective state music education alliances. NAMM member advocates from Pennsylvania, Missouri and California shared hard-won lessons on coalition organizing, school board engagement and cross-sector collaboration.

NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak opened the session by acknowledging a recent federal funding win — the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 largely preserved K-12 education funding levels — while cautioning that flat budgets in a high-inflation environment mean pressure on music programs is far from over. "The real fight is now at the state and local level," he noted.

Artist, producer and longtime advocate for music education J.Dash provided inspiration with his message, “Put Your Heart Into It.” He compared the work of advocacy to the rhythm of a heartbeat, He said, “When voices align, and when purpose is shared, that rhythm expands. It becomes something bigger than any one person." He continued, "Real change doesn't happen in a single moment. It happens in patterns - consistent, repeated, intentional - just like a heartbeat." And concluded with, "One person speaking is powerful. But a coalition? It's momentum."

NAMM Associate Director of Public Policy Claire Kreger-Boaz and NAfME's Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy and Public Policy Amanda Karhuse mapped the federal landscape, emphasizing that enacted appropriations don't guarantee dollars reaching students. With the Department of Education having lost roughly half its staff, state coalitions play a critical role in ensuring federal investments flow as intended.

State advocates then took the stage with the thoughtful guidance of Mike Kamphuis. Pennsylvania's Beth Schiemer outlined practical strategies for engaging school boards; Missouri's Amanda Rueter and Craig Denny demonstrated the power of mobilizing extended professional networks; and California's Scott Mandeville, Hapa Brandon Perdue and Heather Mansell spoke to the unique challenges — and strengths — of building a large, multi-discipline coalition.

Attendees left with three concrete actions: schedule one conversation with a decision-maker, activate three allies outside music education and join or launch a state coalition.