activities · 13
what they do
direct service · 8
- Host annual professional development conferences Music Educator Conference & Career Pipeline EventsOrganizes the annual Arizona Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, most recently scheduled for January 29–30, 2027, at the Delta Hotels Marriott Phoenix Mesa, to improve music education methods, share professional information, and support educator development. The conference includes session proposals and in-service events for recertification.
- Hosting Future Music Educators Celebration Music Educator Conference & Career Pipeline EventsHosts the annual Future Arizona Music Educators (FAME) Celebration for high school students interested in pursuing careers in music education.
- Organize student music festivals and honor ensembles School-Based Competitive Music EnsemblesProvides performance and educational opportunities for K–12 students through a range of festivals including High School Regional, All-State, Solo and Ensemble, All-State Guitar, All-State Jazz, Show Choir, and regional honor bands/orchestras/choirs, as well as festivals for elementary and middle school students across Arizona.
- Organize student music festivals and honor ensembles School-Based Competitive Music EnsemblesHosts a range of student music festivals across Arizona, including High School Regional, All-State, Solo and Ensemble, All-State Guitar, and Jazz/Show Choir events, as well as festivals for elementary and middle school students such as All-State Bands, Choirs, and Orchestras. These events align with State and National Music Standards and provide performance and assessment opportunities for students.
- Organizing Student Music Festivals School-Based Competitive Music EnsemblesOrganizes various music festivals for students across the state, including High School Regional, All-State, Solo and Ensemble, All-State Guitar Festivals, and festivals for elementary and middle school students such as All-State Bands, Choirs, Orchestras, Solo and Ensemble, and regional honor bands/orchestras/choirs, all aligning with State and National Music Standards.
- Recognize excellence in music education Professional and Organizational Achievement AwardsAdministers the Music Educator of the Year award, recognizing excellence in teaching, leadership, and advocacy, with recent recipients including Scott Burgener (2025) and Dr. Sandra Stauffer (2026). Also maintains the Music Educators Hall of Fame, established in 1989, and inducts deserving members annually.
- Support future music educators through student engagement events Music Educator Conference & Career Pipeline EventsHosts the annual Future Arizona Music Educators (FAME) Celebration at the Mesa Convention Center for high school students interested in pursuing careers in music education, providing exposure and encouragement to enter the field.
- Support future music educators through student programming Music Educator Conference & Career Pipeline EventsHosts the annual Future Arizona Music Educators (FAME) Celebration for high school students interested in pursuing careers in music education, held at the Mesa Convention Center to inspire and engage the next generation of educators.
capacity building · 5
- Host annual in-service and professional development conference Music Educator Conference & Career Pipeline EventsOrganizes the annual Arizona Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, held in January at rotating locations including the Delta Hotels Marriott Phoenix Mesa, to improve music education methods, share professional information, and support educator development; includes call for session proposals and recertification documentation for participants.
- Organizing Music Education ConferencesOrganizes an annual state conference for music educators, administrators, and others interested in music education to improve teaching methods, develop new techniques, and disseminate professional information. This includes soliciting session proposals and providing recertification documentation for participants.
- Provide professional leadership development Music Educator Professional Development & Peer Mentorship ProgramsConducts leadership development initiatives for music educators, including the First Annual Summer Leadership Planning Retreat held in Tucson, aimed at building capacity and strengthening organizational and pedagogical leadership in the field.
- Recognize excellence in music education through awards and Hall of Fame Professional and Organizational Achievement AwardsAdministers the Music Educator of the Year award, recognizing excellence in teaching, leadership, and advocacy, with recent recipients including Scott Burgener (2025) and Dr. Sandra Stauffer (2026); maintains a Hall of Fame established in 1989, inducting deserving members annually since its inception, with the first honoree in 1964.
- Recognizing Music EducatorsSelects deserving members annually for induction into the Music Educators Hall of Fame and bestows the Music Educator of the Year award to recognize excellence in teaching, leadership, and advocacy for music and arts education in Arizona.
strategies · 19
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advance educator capacity through professional development professional_developmentStrengthens music education by providing ongoing professional development opportunities, including workshops and instructional evaluations, to improve teaching practices and leadership among music educators and administrators.
- Career exploration and networking for aspiring music educators career_exploration_and_networkingConnects high school students with experienced music educators and higher education music programs to foster interest in music education careers and support pipeline development.
- Enhancing Music Education through Professional Development professional_developmentThe organization improves music education by providing comprehensive professional development opportunities, including an annual state conference, to equip educators with new teaching techniques and resources.
- Ensure instruction by qualified music educators qualified_teacher_instructionAdvocates for music instruction led by state-certified, highly qualified music educators, grounded in the belief that educator expertise directly impacts the quality and effectiveness of music education.
- Fostering Future Music Educators through Career Exploration and Networking career_exploration_and_networkingThe organization connects high school students with experienced music educators and university representatives to facilitate career exploration and networking opportunities in music education.
- Instruction by certified and highly qualified music educators qualified_teacher_instructionAdvocates for music instruction delivered exclusively by state-certified, highly qualified music educators to ensure high standards and effectiveness in music education.
- Integrate music into core academic development core_curriculum_integrationUses music education as a tool to enhance students' creativity, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary learning in core subjects such as literacy, math, and science, based on the belief that music strengthens cognitive and academic growth.
- Integrating Music Education for Holistic Academic Development core_curriculum_integrationThe organization integrates music education into core academic development to foster creativity, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary skills in subjects like literacy, math, and science.
- Integration of music education into core academic development core_curriculum_integrationIntegrates music education into core academic subjects to enhance students' creativity, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary skills in literacy, math, and science, based on the belief that music strengthens overall academic learning.
- Leverage national affiliation for state impact official_state_affiliateOperates as the official state affiliate of the National Association for Music Education to align with national standards, amplify advocacy efforts, and strengthen legitimacy and reach within Arizona’s public education system.
- Professional development for music educators professional_developmentSupports high-quality music instruction through ongoing professional development, including workshops, training, and resources, to build educator capacity and improve student outcomes.
- Promote music education careers through networking career exploration and networkingConnects high school students with experienced music educators and higher education music programs to foster career exploration and pathways into music education.
- Promoting Qualified Music Instruction qualified_teacher_instructionThe organization advocates for music instruction to be delivered by state-certified, highly qualified music educators to ensure high standards of teaching.
- Recognition of excellence in music education awards_and_recognitionReinforces high standards and motivates continued excellence by annually recognizing individuals who demonstrate outstanding teaching, leadership, and advocacy in Arizona’s music and arts education community.
- Recognize excellence to strengthen the field awards_and_recognitionUses awards to recognize outstanding contributions in teaching, leadership, and advocacy, reinforcing high standards and motivating continued excellence in music and arts education across Arizona.
- Recognizing Excellence in Music and Arts Education awards_and_recognitionThe organization recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and advocacy for music and arts education through an annual awards program.
- Specialized programming for distinct music educator communities specialized_programmingDevelops targeted programs and organizational structures to meet the unique needs of specialized music educators, such as band directors, addressing service gaps and improving support.
- State-level advocacy through national affiliation official_state_affiliateStrengthens legitimacy and advocacy capacity by operating as the official state affiliate of the National Association for Music Education, enabling coordinated policy influence and access to national resources.
- Support specialized music education communities specialized_programmingDevelops targeted programming and organizational structures to serve specialized music educators, such as band directors, addressing gaps in support and fostering community-specific growth and effectiveness.
named programs · 11
what they call their work
AMEA Career Award
An award recognizing members for their contributions to music education.
AMEA Elementary/Middle School Festivals
Festivals for elementary and middle school music students including All-State Bands, All-State Choirs, All-State Orchestras, Solo and Ensemble, and regional honor ensembles.
AMEA High School Festivals
Festivals for high school music students including Regional Festival, All-State Festival, Solo and Ensemble Festival, and All-State Guitar Festival.
AMEA In-Service Conference
An annual conference for music educators featuring professional development sessions, an exhibit hall for vendors, and networking opportunities.
Future Arizona Music Educators (FAME) Celebration
An annual event for high school students interested in music education careers, offering insights from veteran educators, college representatives, and an exhibit hall visit.
George C. Wilson Leadership/Service Award
An award recognizing members for leadership and service in music education.
Music Educator of the Year Award
An annual award recognizing an Arizona music educator for excellence in teaching, leadership, and advocacy for music and arts education.
O.M. Hartsell Excellence in Teaching Music Award
An award recognizing excellence in music teaching.
Outstanding Administrator Award
An award recognizing administrators who support music education.
Raymond G. Van Diest Music Advocacy Award
An award recognizing advocacy for music education.
William E. Richardson Retired Member Service Award
An award recognizing service by retired members.
relationships · 12
who they work with
- ABODA Partner — Partners on festivals, with registration handled on the ABODA site.
- ACE Partner — Collaborates on festivals including Fall Choral Festival, All-State Jazz and Show Choirs, and Spring Elementary/Junior High Choral Festival.
- AMEA general membership Partner — Nominates candidates for the Music Educator of the Year award.
- Arizona Alliance for Arts Education Partner — Formed a joint In-Service Conference in 1974 and became affiliated in 1973 to collaborate on arts education initiatives.
- Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association Partner — Constituent organization under AMEA, committed to supporting music educators in their content area.
- Arizona Choral Educators Partner — Constituent organization under AMEA, committed to supporting music educators in their content area.
- Arizona Society for General Music Partner — Constituent organization under AMEA, committed to supporting music educators in their content area.
- Committee of past recipients Partner — Selects the recipient of the Music Educator of the Year award.
- Mesa Convention Center Partner — Host venue for the AMEA state conference on January 29–30, 2027.
- Music Educators National Conference Network — Officially affiliated with the Music Educators National Conference in 1940, establishing AMEA as the recognized state-level organization.
- NAfME Partner — Partner organization, indicated by logo and link on the website.
- National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Network — Affiliated with and holds joint membership with NAfME, which is a requisite for AMEA membership.