Leading a music program today means more than managing teachers, schedules, and budgets—it requires navigating an increasingly political educational landscape. Whether addressing curriculum mandates, budget constraints, or cultural shifts, music education leaders must balance advocacy with diplomacy to sustain and grow their programs. This session explores how every decision—from repertoire to resource allocation—exists within a political context and how leaders can operate effectively within it. Participants will examine real-world scenarios, identify strategies to build alliances with administrators and policymakers, and learn to reframe advocacy as a daily leadership practice rather than a crisis response. Attendees will leave with practical tools and perspectives for leading courageously and strategically on behalf of music education.
Target Audience
Music Education Site and District Leadership
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Russ Sperling
Northstar Horizons Consultants
Russ Sperling is a nationally recognized arts education leader and advocate, having served over 20 years in central office administration positions and in state and national-level professional association leadership roles. He currently is a principal consultant with Northstar Horizons Consultants, a firm that supports school district leadership in delivering equitable arts education programs. He is a student teacher supervisor for San Diego State University and he is the Director of the Grossmont College Concert Band. Mr. Sperling served as Director of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) for San Diego Unified School District for ten years. He has served as Western Division President of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and also as President of the California Music Educators Association (CMEA). He is the founding President and present board member of the San Diego Winds.
Brad Van Patten
Northstar Horizons Consultants
Brad Van Patten, Ed.D. is a driving force in the world of K-12 arts education. With over 40 years of hands-on teaching and administrative experience in public school experience, Brad has dedicated his life to helping educators optimize their instructional practices. He combines his extensive educational study and research with real-life experience to provide unparalleled insights into the needs of today’s classrooms. In his workshops, Brad shares the research-based principles and strategies of Time to Teach classroom and behavior management, all from the perspective of someone who has lived it and knows what works. With Brad on your team, you can be confident that you are getting the very best in arts educational expertise and guidance.