Spring 2023

Notes from the Executive Director
Susan Heiserman
It’s that time of year! As the flowers and trees are blooming,
hopefully you are witnessing some musical blossoming in
your classrooms and programs. Many of you are very busy
preparing for MPAs, spring concerts and musicals, and other yearend
activities; but amidst all the bustle, I hope you can find small
moments to sit back, reflect on – and appreciate – your successes,
no matter how large or small. You’ve brought people together.
You’ve released beauty and joy into the world. There’s no doubt
you’ve inspired someone this year.
It’s for this reason we’ve landed on the theme Inspire
Harmony for our 2023 Professional Development Conference.
As music educators, you have the unique privilege to use your
art to transcend boundaries and inspire harmony on all levels
– musically, interpersonally, between cultures, and in society.
This year’s conference will explore and celebrate the many ways
outstanding educators are creating positive impact and change.
Mark your calendars and plan to join us in Winston-Salem,
November 4 – 7!
We wrapped up a fantastic Music In Our Schools Month and
have been working on a number of other advocacy items in the past
months. With the help of NCMEA’s lobbyists, we have established
many new connections with state government officials and have
shared input on issues like teacher licensure and compensation,
school report cards, accessing funding for music education, and
other proposed initiatives such as an arts proficiency diploma seal
and provisions to provide regular music classes to all K – 5 students
in North Carolina. If you ever have questions or concerns about
music education policy, please reach out to me.
There are a number of other exciting things happening within
NCMEA! From our new Popular Music Education Committee
to webinars to the NCMEA podcast (now 12 episodes in!), our
committees and leaders are working hard to identify and provide
resources and support that meet the needs of all music educators
across the state. We want all voices to be represented, so if you see
a need in a particular area or have a special interest, please let us
know – and consider joining our new Leadership Academy this
August.
Finally, I encourage you to consider nominating someone
for an NCMEA award. There are many outstanding, deserving
educators and administrators, but we need your help identifying
them! Nomination forms for Honor Administrator, Pat Hall Music
Educator Advocate, and the Hall of Fame awards will be open mid-
April – mid-June. Visit www.ncmea.net/programs/awards to learn
more.
I wish you the best of luck as you wrap up another school year.
If you have questions, need support, or want to get more involved
with NCMEA activities or leadership, I’d love to hear from you.
BOLD IDEAS.
BIG CITY.
Leadership Academy
NCMEA recognizes that there are a lot of talented leaders
within our membership – and we have a lot of leadership roles
within the organization that could benefit
from your involvement! For that reason,
we’re starting a Leadership Academy
for members who may be interested in
deepening their involvement with NCMEA.
The first cohort will start in August
2023 and will include an introduction
to NCMEA’s history and organizational
structure, how committees and meetings
work, leadership styles, and more. The
NCMEA Leadership Academy is a one-day
academy that is free and open to any NCMEA member who
would like to learn more about NCMEA policies, procedures,
history, and how to run an effective business meeting; which
includes Roberts Rules of Order and Parliamentary Procedure.
The leadership camp will be facilitated by David Albert, past
NCMEA president (2009-2011), and Maribeth Yoder White,
past NCMEA president (2003 – 2005) and
past Southern Division president (2012 –
2014). We have so many wonderful leaders
throughout the state of North Carolina.
Every time we observe an All-County, All-
District, All-State, or All-Region honors
ensemble, we are reminded how lucky we
are to serve such dedicated individuals.
If you are interested in learning more
about various leadership opportunities,
please fill out this short form. (This is not a
commitment to a leadership role or to the Leadership Academy,
just an expression of interest!)
Music at Charlotte
UPTOWN PERFORMANCES EXCITING GUEST ARTISTS
Charlie Parker at The Jazz Room Composer/Performer Pamela Z
@clt_coaa
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS
Carlisle Floyd’s opera, Susannah
At UNC Charlotte, studies go beyond the
university and into Charlotte's creative community.
With bold ideas and broad connections, our talented
faculty, students, and alumni are shaping the civic
imagination of this fast-growing city.
Holocaust Remembrance Day Concert
Backstage at the Eagles concert
Renowned saxophonist Branford Marsalis
music.charlotte.edu
6 | NORTH CAROLINA MUSIC EDUCATOR NORTH CAROLINA MUSIC EDUCATOR | 7