Sean King is the Executive Director of USBands and has been a member of the USBands team for 27 years. Since 2020, he has overseen the transition of the organization from one parent non-profit to a program offering of BD Performing Arts, a non-profit organization based in Concord, CA. Sean has been responsible for aligning organizational and operational cultures as well as the team building, strategy and communications for the largest scholastic music organization in the United States consisting of nearly 200 events in 20 states in excess of 700 participating schools and overall attendance of 300,000 individuals annually. He is a former Director of Marketing and Communications, a founder of an advertising agency, and someone who continuously empowers arts across the nation.As the NFHS is welcoming USBands as an official corporate partner of the NFHS and a founding corporate partner of NFHS Performing Arts, listen as we discuss: Why people should care about bands across AmericaThe mission of USBandsEnsuring inclusivity and support for diverse groups within the organizationMessaging given to educators and students alike when adjudication is successfulWays in which USBands collaborates with schools, directors, and other organizations to further music education and performanceSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

Amy Perras is the Instructional Supervisor for Music, Art, and Library Media for Milford Public Schools in Connecticut, a role she took on after spending 14 years teaching PK-12 instrumental, choral, and general music.  In addition to her work in Milford, Amy is the President of the Connecticut Arts Administrators Association and the NFHS Music Advisory Committee Chair. As we get to learn from Amy about her background in music and music education, listen while we discuss: Her lifelong intrigue with DisneyThe role of a district arts administrator and why it’s such an important roleHow her background in education has assisted her in her current roleThe main goals she has as the chair of the NFHS Music CommitteeWhy support systems are crucial for successSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

Join NFHS Coordinator of Sports, Jessie Benner as she speaks with Becky Moran, NIAAA Associate Executive Director on the importance of encouraging support of female athletics. Moran explains what it means to her to be a woman in sports and how we can create a positive narrative around female sports and activities.Subscribe and share this episode!Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.orgSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

Host Ken Burke is joined by Eric Arnold, Program Director for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) Executive Institute at Western Illinois University. As someone who has so much experience with emergency action plans and campus safety, there are few people that know more than Eric on these issues and topics. Throughout this conversation, Eric shares stories, lessons-learned, and strategies that could help substantially in ensuring campus and event safety, no matter the location or size. Listen now and hear more about:Developing and implementing emergency action plansInitial steps he would suggest to administrators and event coordinatorsThe most effective strategies he has implemented or observedSuccess stories of interventions or programs that significantly improved securityChallenges that have emerged in the realm of school safety with the rise of digital platforms and social mediaSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

Join NFHS Coordinator of Marketing and Social Media, Olivia Jennings as she speaks with NFHS Director of Sports, Julie Cochran on the origin and evolution of the Women in Leadership team. Cochran explains how she identified the need and began to create the program and the ways in which it has grown to serve our member states around the nation.Subscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode of The Stage, host Ken Burke speaks with Ramon Rivera, Mount Vernon School District Mariachi Director, Mariachi Artist, and 2023 Washington State Music Educator of the year. Ramon Rivera began teaching Mariachi in the late 90s and brings a wealth of knowledge on the subject and on educating to this conversation.As he leads and educates students through music, he has built the most extensive Mariachi Program on the west side of the state of Washington in the Mount Vernon High School Mariachi & Folklorico program with over 200 students enrolled. Talking points for today's discussion:How he initially became interested in music education The unique benefits that mariachi music and Folklorico brings to studentsLetting students pursue their passions and any activity they wantHow he has seen mariachi music education positively impact cultural awareness and appreciationWays in which parents and communities can support the growth of music educationSuccess stories about students whose lives have been positively impacted by their involvement in mariachi music educationSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode, host Ken Burke interviews Dr. David Kelley, Associate Professor in the Sport Administration Program within the University of Cincinnati’s School of Human Services. He also currently serves as the Online Master’s Degree in Sport Administration Program Coordinator and has a wealth of knowledge not only on sport administration, but on grant writing, corporate sponsorships, and more!Throughout this conversation, we discuss: Having a hands-on teaching approachGrowing programs from "humble beginnings"Why it's important for educators and administrators to educate themselves on grant facilitationThe biggest challenge when it comes to fundraising and grant writingTips he would give for anyone that is interested in securing grants or writing themSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode of The Stage, our guest today is Tooshar Swain, Director of Public Policy at Americans for the Arts. Before joining Americans for the Arts, Tooshar served as Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the National Association for Music Education. Tooshar has made a career in Music Education, Policy, and Advocacy, and has even worked on Capitol Hill with the US Senate.Throughout the conversation, you will hear more about:How Americans for the Arts aims to promote recognition and support for the artsWhy his experience with the National Association for Music Education shaped his understanding of the challenges faced by music educatorsSuccesses and achievements he's been involved in to make a positive impact on arts education The intersection between arts and policySubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

Our guest today is Davine Davis, former Assistant Executive Director of the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Davine, who has recently retired, helped establish Missouri as one of the leading states in the country in terms of music and she has served on the NFHS Education Committee as well as the NFHS Spirit Rules Committee. She made a career out of strengthening relationships with music directors across the state of Missouri.Listen and learn more about her career, what she learned throughout, and more, including: How Davine's teaching background helped her throughout her career with the MSHSAAHow she was able to stay plugged in with music directors across MissouriThe most challenging part of her dutiesOne thing that she wish she knew when she first started in this professionHer pivotal role in pioneering a music festival software to help facilitate district and state festivalsSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode of The Stage, our guest today is Chantal Epp! Chantal is the  Founder and CEO of ClicknClear. ClicknClear prioritizes music licensing for Choreographed Sports, Arts, and Fitness, and makes it easy! Chantal is a multiple award winning business founder and owner, an international cheerleader, and so much more that we will touch on throughout our conversation today.Listen now and learn more about her career and life, including: Why/How she started ClicknClearHow her background in cheerleading and music assisted her in making connections for music rightsWhy it's so important for schools, companies, and organizations to be educated on music licensing and copyrightHow the NFHS and ClicknClear work together to help schools and organizationsSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode of The Stage, our guest today is Craig Manteuffel, Assistant Executive Director with the Kansas State High School Activities Association and newly appointed Assistant Executive Director of the Kansas Music Educators Association. In his role, Craig oversees Speech, Debate and Drama, Music, Piano administration, Sportsmanship and Event Sanctioning. He is also coming off of his time as the NFHS Music Advisory Committee Chair.In this conversation, Craig gives insight into his teaching background, his love for the performing arts, and legendary stories that will make you laugh, think, and wonder. Listen today as we discuss: The best part of teaching in performing arts for nearly 30 yearsReflection on working at the KSHSAA and as the NFHS Music Committee ChairWhy state associations should work together within and throughout the NFHSHow he has seen the work done in the middle and high school space carry on for the rest of students’ livesWhy he loves Kansas City culture, football, and barbequeSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode of The Stage,  Nick Averwater, Vice President of Amro Music, joins the show today to discuss how the retail industry continues to support music education across the nation. Amro Music is the largest piano, band, and orchestra store in the Mid-South and one of the largest in the nation. It has been family-owned and operated in Memphis since 1921. Nick also hosts their podcast called "After Hours", in which he has conversations for music educators all across the nation!Today, Nick and host Ken discuss a variety of topics from Nick's personal and professional life, including: What it's like to work for and run the Mid-South's largest music companyHow to support music education from the retail industryThe work he does with NASMD, NAMM, and the Music Achievement CouncilHow the After Hours Podcast helps music educatorsChallenges that music educators face todayCheck out the After Hours Podcast!Subscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode of the Stage, we honor Jamelle Brown, 2023 NFHS Citation Award recipient for Speech and Debate. For those of you who remember, Jamelle was a guest on our show a few months ago, but we invited her back on to talk more about her education background, how it feels to win a NFHS Citation award, and more.Jamelle is a high school speech and debate coach at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in Kansas City, Kansas, teaching and inspiring students for years.  She was named the 2022 NFHS Speech, Debate and Theatre Outstanding Educator Award for Section 5 and has led speech and debate teams to a number of Kansas State Championships, along with holding so many leadership roles in the education world. Get ready to listen and learn from one of the brightest minds in the Speech and Debate profession!This series aims to shine light on all three of the 2023 Performing Arts NFHS Citation Award Recipients. Topics for this discussion include: Jamelle's thoughts on receiving the 2023 NFHS Speech & Debate Citation AwardWhy women should hold leadership roles and her experiences as oneWhy “Fear is NOT an Option”How speech and debate pushes students creatively and intuitively unlike any other activityWhat she hopes to accomplish next in her careerListen to Jamelle's previous interview on The Stage: https://thenfhspodcast.buzzsprout.com/274814/12007412 Subscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

Jennifer Brooks began her career in 1996 as a band and choir director for Banks (Oregon) Junior and Senior High School before moving to the David Douglas School District in Portland, Oregon, in 1998, where she currently works as the director of all music in the K-12 schools. Today, we get to talk to Jennifer about winning this year’s NFHS Music Citation Award, her career as an educator, and what she’s learned from holding numerous leadership roles with the NFHS, the Oregon Band Directors Association, and the Oregon Music Educators Association. This series aims to shine light on all three of the 2023 Performing Arts NFHS Citation Award Recipients. Topics for this discussion include: The one thing Jennifer is most proud ofAnalysis on her time serving on the NFHS Music Committee as a member and later as the ChairWhy she has felt called to educate the next generation on the importance of music in the worldAdvice for young women in the performing arts education spaceSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode of the Stage, we are honoring Rebecca Meyer-Larson, 2023 NFHS Citation Award recipient for Theatre. Rebecca is a theatre and speech & debate educator at Moorhead High School in Minnesota and has led her students to MANY state titles, awards, and more. During her 32-year career, Meyer-Larson has received several honors including two U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Teacher awards, NFHS Outstanding Educator State Award and Spotlight Education Theater Educator Award, five Diamond Coach in the National Speech and Debate Association and the 2019 Minnesota State High School League AA Coach of the Year.Today you as the listener get to hear from someone that puts her students first, has a passion for theatre and speech & debate, and gives excellent advice for students and educators on being able to have a life full of performing, laughter, and support. This series aims to shine light on all three of the 2023 Performing Arts NFHS Citation Award Recipients. Topics for this discussion include: Rebecca's thoughts on receiving the 2023 NFHS Theatre Citation AwardHow she has prioritized inclusivity and social change through education Why it's important to highlight the work and talent that students possessContinuing theatre well into adulthoodSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode of The Stage, John Mlynczak, the new President and CEO of National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), joins the show to discuss how music education and creative industry can work together to better the future of music as a whole. John has so much experience not only in the creative industry space, but also in the music education world, as well. He has worked as a music educator, the VP at Hal Leonard, and even in the music technology space. Some topics discussed in today's conversation:How John's background in music education and music technology assisted in getting him to this pointWhat he hopes to accomplish in his presidency with NAMMImportance of the NAMM Show for the creative industryRelationship of music education and creative industry in 2033Future plans for arts advocacyHis favorite hobbySubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

Dr. Steven Karageanes is a primary care sports medicine physician at Restorative Physical Medicine, a founding member of Athletes and the Arts and co-hosts the Athletes and the Arts podcast, and is one of the first physicians in the United States certified in performing arts medicine by the Performing Arts Medical Association. Today, Dr. Karageanes joins the show today to discuss how to emphasize health and wellness within the performing arts space.  As he has been involved with medicine in athletics and the arts, he brings a unique perspective to this conversation. Listen today as we discuss:Why it's important to advocate for physical and mental health within the performing arts spaceMission and goal of Athletes and the ArtsWhat he's learned from doing the Athletes and the Arts PodcastIncreasing awareness on performer healthHow to advocate for all activities equally, creatively, and collectivelySubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

Join NFHS Coordinator of Sports, Jessie Benner, as she speaks with Executive Director and Co-Founder of American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Tommie Storms, to share her journey. Storms emphasizes the importance of offering inclusive opportunities for all and explains how AAASP came about.Subscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode of The Stage,  Adam Jacobi, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association comes on the show. Adam has been involved in education, adjudication, communication, and so much more for 20-plus years, and he continues to work to bring opportunities for every student in Wisconsin. With a background with the NFHS, NSDA, high school outreach programs, and more, he has wisdom and advice for all educators involved in speech, debate, and theatre. Throughout the conversation, we discuss a wide variety of topics, including:Why Adam has made a career out of advocating and teaching speech, debate, and theatreHis journey through educating, adjudicating, coaching, and moreHis educating experience in ChinaHow his work is helping high school students in Wisconsin The biggest challenges he's faced in his tenureSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

On this episode of The Stage, Robyn Hilger, Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association, joins the show to discuss what it means to have sustained creativeness and entrepreneurialism in the music classroom. With a wealth of knowledge within music education and advocacy, Hilger provides key information for all music educators looking for new, innovative ideas in their curriculums.Learn from one of the brightest minds in music education and advocacy on:Robyn's unique journey from band student to choral professionalResources that ACDA gives for music educators and programs all overAdvice she would give for music educators in maintaining creativity and longevityHer love for educating, advocating, and Formula 1 racingSubscribe and share this episode! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!https://www.nfhs.org/Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org