From the Capitol to the Stage: Music, Advocacy and Connection

May 29, 2025

There’s something magical about arriving in Washington, D.C., when the Capitol dome comes into view. It’s one of those moments that takes your breath away. 

On May 4, we drove to D.C. from Ossining, N.Y., where Mike Risko Music, our music school and retail store of 30 years, is located. We were proud to return to D.C. for our second NAMM Fly-In. For those who haven’t attended, the NAMM Advocacy D.C. Fly-In is an event where NAMM members gather at the U.S. Capitol to advocate for music education funding. We learned so much in our first year, and this time, we felt ready to build on that. This year, I (Miriam) was selected to be the team captain for New York, which made the experience even more meaningful. As a team captain, I helped to coordinate meetings with Members of Congress for the delegates in our state team. 

The week was amazing from start to finish. The event kicked off with Monday’s Day of Service, where we networked with D.C. students at Eastern Senior High School and shared information on having a career in the music industry. On Tuesday, we soaked in all the training on how to be effective advocates and connected with other advocates from our industry. There was an instant bond among all of us. 

When it came time to meet with lawmakers on Wednesday (known as “Hill Day”), we were ready — informed, passionate and proud to work with our New York teammates. We shared stories from our school partnerships and reflected on moments like showing kids in a Yonkers after-school program their first electric guitar. Watching their faces light up is the kind of spark we are fighting for. 

One challenge we’ve faced in our careers is that people often see music as a hobby, not a profession. But during the Fly-In, we have the opportunity to share with Members of Congress that we are entrepreneurs, educators and community leaders. We create jobs, support schools and help people find and share their voices.
  
Meeting with Congressmen Mike Lawler and George Latimer, both from our home district, was especially meaningful. As performing musicians, we’ve crossed paths with both of our representatives many times at local events in our community. But somehow reconnecting on Capitol Hill to talk about music education policy and access brought everything full circle. 

The Fly-In reminded us how much impact our voices can have — not just as musicians but also as business owners and educators. This experience deepened our commitment to advocating for music in schools and communities on behalf of the industry. 

We were also honored to organize the NAMM Jam because it let us do what we love most — connect with fellow musicians and make music happen. Mike built the set list and paired players, giving as many NAMMers as possible the chance to take the stage. It was a highlight to invite Sebastian De La Peña, senior policy advisor to Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett, to join us — proving how music truly brings people together. 

The NAMM Jam was the perfect finale to the NAMM Advocacy Fly-In. Musicians from more than a dozen states shared the stage together for the first time, and the music just worked. It always does. And when we closed with “Don’t Stop Believin’,” it captured everything the D.C. Fly-In week had been about: connection, purpose and joy. 

We’re proud to support music in New York, proud to be part of this incredible industry, and proud that we got to lend our voices — and instruments — to something that truly matters. We’ll keep coming back. Each year, we grow stronger and more ready to stand up for music!