CASMEC Medal of Honor

For her dedicated service to music education in the State of California and for her tireless commitment to the development and improvement of the California All-State Music Education Conference, the 2026 Medal of Honor is awarded to Kate Francis.

Kate is known not only as an exceptional educator, but also as a connector, collaborator, and deeply kind leader. Over the course of her 24-year career as a music educator, which has included service in several states, her influence on California music education has been both profound and lasting. During her years in California, she served in numerous leadership roles with the California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) and the CMEA Bay Section, including a term as President of CODA.

One of Kate’s most enduring contributions can be seen in the collaborative conference model currently shared by five statewide organizations: CODA, CBDA, CAJ, CCDA, and CMEA. At a pivotal time when these organizations were working to align more intentionally, Kate played a key role in shaping the collaborative spirit that ultimately became the current CASMEC structure. She was especially instrumental in increasing orchestra representation at the conference by expanding access for students through the junior high orchestra and increasing orchestra-specific professional development opportunities for teachers.

Kate consistently led with the belief that students and educators are best served when orchestra, band, jazz, choir, and general music teachers work together in a collaborative and unified way.

Our current CASMEC Coordinator, Jeff Detlefsen, summarized her impact as follows: “Kate was a huge force in finding a balance and working together as we began combining. She worked well with others, did not have an ego, and was always focused on what was best for students and educators in California.”

This sentiment is echoed by Joni Swenson, a CODA Past President, who shared: “I have truly valued my experience working alongside Kate. Whether in the classroom or through her leadership as President of CODA, she consistently brings positivity, insight, and dedication. Her commitment to her students and to the music education community is remarkable, and she makes a lasting impact on all those she works with.”

Today, Kate continues to live out her values in the classroom as an elementary orchestra and general music teacher in Alabama. There, she launched the district’s first elementary orchestra program and now ensures that every fourth-grade student receives violin instruction. While she is no longer teaching in California, her legacy of access, equity, and joyful music-making remains deeply embedded in our state’s music education community.

Kate is a leader who leads with kindness first. Her warmth, curiosity, and belief that every child deserves access to high-quality music education inspire those around her to raise the bar for their students, their colleagues, and the profession.

It is with deep gratitude and admiration that we present the CASMEC Medal of Honor to Kate Francis. We hope you will join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition.