Tell your story and advocate for music education by engaging with the community, industry leaders, public schools, and organizations at local, state, and national levels. This interactive workshop provides strategies to ensure all students benefit from a quality music education. Through stories shared by our presenters, you'll gain insights into real-world examples from different areas of the music community. Whether you're a teacher, parent, industry professional, or community member, you’ll leave with tools to collaborate across sectors and strengthen music programs, ensuring they thrive in a supported and sustainable environment for future generations.
Target Audience
All Music Educators, Industry and Community Members, and Parents
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Anne Fennell
California Music Educators Association
Anne Fennell is the Immediate-Past President of California Music Educators Association, and NAfME’s Western Division President-Elect, and the recently retired Music Program Manager for San Diego Unified School District. She holds a bachelor’s in music education, a master’s in educational leadership studies, and Orff-Schulwerk Levels: I-II-III. Her experiences include 38 years in education, 6 years in administration and 32 years teaching music composition, steel drum ensembles (grades 9-12), K-8 music through Orff-Schulwerk, and leading vocal and instrumental ensembles. Anne is a published author and presents nationally and internationally. Her honors include the 2024 NAMM Believe in Music Award, Technology in Music Education National Teacher of the Year, MSA National Teacher of the Year, and GRAMMY Music Educator Top 10.
Kimberly Deverell
Kimberly Deverell is a proud San Diego State University alumna, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Music Education. With over 26 years in the music retail industry, she’s worn many hats—from instructing to managing—and now serves as the West Coast Regional Sales Manager for Eastman Music Company. Deeply committed to supporting music education, Kimberly is a strong advocate for keeping music and the arts thriving in schools at the local, state, and Federal levels. She was part of the first Women of NAMM (WON) Leadership Summit and spent four years on the NAMM Board of Directors. Her passion for music and belief in its power to change lives drives her continuous efforts to make a positive impact.
Armalyn De La O
California Music Educators Association, The California Arts Project
Ms. De La O is the Executive Director (Interim) of the California Arts Project, Regional Director of the RIMS California Arts Project and past president for the California Music Educators Association. Place Holder until I receive an updated bio.
Sameer Patel
Named Musical America’s April 2023 New Artist of the Month and recognized for his “profound artistry” (The San Diego Union Tribune), Sameer Patel is one of America’s most exciting conductors. Patel was recently appointed the Music Director and Orchestra Conductor of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus and is also Artistic Director of the San Diego Youth Symphony. Formerly, he served as Associate Conductor of the Sun Valley Music Festival and Associate Conductor of the San Diego Symphony, and held conducting positions with the Chicago Sinfonietta and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Patel has assisted and learned from some of the greatest conductors of our time – Gianandrea Noseda, Daniele Gatti, Gustavo Dudamel, Jaap van Zweden, Charles Dutoit, Paavo Järvi, Kurt Masur, Bernard Haitink, Edo de Waart, Robert Spano, and Stéphane Denève – and is dedicated to fostering the next generation of passionate musicians. Patel’s impressive work has led to recognition by the Solti Foundation U.S., which granted him three consecutive Career Assistance Awards and an Elizabeth Buccheri Opera Residency with North Carolina Opera; Daniele Gatti, acknowledging Patel as a top conductor at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy; Kurt Masur, the late Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, with a prize from the Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Foundation; and the League of American Orchestras. Born and raised in Michigan, Patel makes his home in San Diego with his wife, Shannon, and two children, Devan and Veda.