The journey to becoming a music educator is shaped by far more than coursework and rehearsals. It is built through experiences that challenge us, inspire us, and prepare us to become stronger teachers, leaders, performers, and advocates. Throughout the summer, Alabama CNAfME officers embraced opportunities that allowed them to grow professionally in unique ways—from performing with a world-class drum corps and mentoring young musicians to working alongside successful school music programs and advocating for music education on Capitol Hill. As the 2026–2027 school year begins, we invite you to celebrate their accomplishments, reflect on your own professional goals, and consider how you can become involved in experiences that will impact your future as a music educator.
Sarah Beth Black, CNAfME State President, is spending her summer on the road with the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps, where she marches contra (tuba). After dreaming of marching Drum Corps International since middle school, Sarah Beth earned a spot with the Madison Scouts in 2024. During that historic season, she was part of the first Women of Madison to perform on Finals Night. Sarah Beth describes the experience as one that “completely changed my life” and says she is “beyond proud” to be a Woman of Madison. This summer, she returned to the Madison Scouts for her age-out season. From early morning rehearsals to late-night performances, drum corps challenges members to develop exceptional musicianship, physical endurance, discipline, leadership, and teamwork while performing across the country. Experiences like these not only strengthen performers but also prepare future music educators to lead with confidence, resilience, and excellence in the classroom.
Through this experience, Sarah Beth continues to grow as both a performer and a leader while representing Alabama’s future music educators on a national stage. We look forward to welcoming her back this fall with new experiences, leadership skills, and musical insights to share with our collegiate members.
Mary Cole Kinney, CNAfME State Vice-President, spent her summer serving as a camp counselor at the internationally recognized Interlochen Arts Camp, where she worked alongside nationally recognized music educators and professional musicians while mentoring young musicians from across the country. In addition to her counselor responsibilities, Mary Cole led sectionals, coached chamber ensembles, and worked one-on-one with students, gaining valuable experience communicating musical concepts, fostering student independence, and adapting her teaching to meet diverse learning needs. Reflecting on her summer, Mary Cole shared that working alongside extraordinary educators and observing their teaching each day felt like participating in an ongoing masterclass in music education. She was inspired by the way these educators balanced technical excellence with creativity while challenging students, building confidence, and creating an environment where excellence and joy could coexist. Beyond the rehearsal hall, she discovered that meaningful teaching begins with relationships, realizing that students perform and learn best when they feel safe, respected, and genuinely supported. Experiences like Interlochen provide aspiring music educators with invaluable opportunities to refine their teaching, strengthen their leadership and adaptability, and learn alongside some of the nation’s finest educators and performers.
Mary Cole wraps up the summer inspired by the mentors who invested in her and with the conviction that the best music educators do far more than teach notes and rhythms—they inspire curiosity, cultivate confidence, foster meaningful relationships, and help students discover both their artistic voices and their potential as people.
William Clay, CNAfME State Treasurer, spent his summer gaining valuable hands-on experience as a part-time instructor and logistics coordinator with his alma mater, Homewood High School Bands. Supporting a large and active band program has given William firsthand experience in the planning, organization, and collaboration required to build and sustain excellence. Through his work, he has gained valuable insight into what makes outstanding music programs thrive. William’s journey began simply by saying “yes” to opportunities to serve, a decision he encourages every collegiate member to consider. William credits much of that success to the strong relationships among educators, parents, volunteers, and the community, all working together to create meaningful experiences for students. He believes that becoming involved with a local middle or high school program is one of the most valuable experiences a collegiate music education student can have. Beyond developing teaching skills, he has learned how to communicate effectively with students, parents, and administrators while adapting instruction to meet the unique needs of every learner. His greatest takeaway is that successful educators don’t simply look for the perfect program—they use their strengths to serve the needs of their students and community.
In addition to his work this summer, William represented Alabama CNAfME at the AMEA Executive Board meeting held at Oak Mountain High School in June, where he participated in discussions and planning efforts that support music education across Alabama. His participation demonstrated his commitment to representing the voices of Alabama’s future music educators and reflects the important role collegiate members play in shaping the future of music education in Alabama.
William wraps up the summer with a deeper appreciation for servant leadership, collaboration, and the lasting impact that strong school and community partnerships have on student success—valuable experiences that will continue to shape him as a future music educator.
Hannah Herring, CNAfME State Secretary, spent part of her summer working for the Summer Show-Offs music camp where she collaborated with current and future vocal music educators from across the Southeast. Through her work will students of all ages, Hannah expanded her knowledge of vocal music education, strengthened connections with future vocal music educators, and gained valuable hands-on experience working alongside fellow educators. She believes opportunities like Summer Show-Offs allow future music educators to continue growing beyond the college classroom while building lasting relationships with colleagues who share a passion for music education. For Hannah, the camp was a phenomenal learning opportunity that allowed her to further her education in the vocal field while preparing for her future career as a music educator.
In June, Hannah represented Alabama Collegiate NAfME alongside other AMEA leadership at the NAfME National Assembly in Washington, D.C., where she joined collegiate music education students and educators from across the country for leadership training and advocacy. As part of the experience, she participated in NAfME’s annual Hill Day on Capitol Hill, meeting with congressional offices to advocate for music education and discuss the importance of continued federal support for a well-rounded education that includes music. Experiences like the National Assembly and Hill Day empower future music educators to become informed advocates who can effectively communicate the value of music education to school, community, and government leaders. Through these experiences, Hannah collaborated with collegiate leaders from across the nation, exchanged ideas to strengthen state and local chapters, and gained a deeper understanding of the impact of collaboration in our field and the important role collegiate members play in shaping the future of music education.
Hannah wraps up the summer inspired by the relationships she has built, the ideas she looks forward to sharing with our membership, and a renewed commitment to advocating for music education and the next generation of music educators.
The experiences of our officers this summer demonstrate the many ways collegiate members can continue growing beyond the classroom. As another exciting year begins, Alabama CNAfME looks forward to the opportunities ahead. Whether you’re attending your first Fall Summit, participating in the AMEA Professional Development Conference, serving your local chapter, or simply looking for new ways to grow, there is a place for you here. We encourage you to embrace opportunities that challenge you, inspire you, and prepare you for a successful career in music education, and we look forward to seeing you on September 20th at the CNAfME Fall Summit as we continue learning, leading, serving, and advocating together.
As the Alabama CNAfME State Advisor, I am honored to serve AMEA and look forward to creating meaningful opportunities with our future music educators as they grow, connect, and prepare to enter our profession. To our current music educators—thank you for investing in the next generation of teachers. We hope these stories inspire you to continue creating opportunities, offering encouragement, and mentoring future music educators as they begin their own journeys.