VMEA - Virginia Music Educators Association

Congratulations VMEA - Virginia Music Educators Association!! This is a special national recognition for a special legislative season that pushed our leadership to ensure THE BEST for our students!!! Thanks to our Advocacy and Government Relations leaders Michelle Milligan, Nick Leonard alongside many additional Virginia leaders who brought collaboration and collective impact to this work!! BRAVO!!

It’s a great day to advocate for music education! As part of , we are joining educators and advocates from across the country to highlight the importance of music education and the critical role federal funding plays in sustaining high-quality programs and expanding opportunities for students. Contact your member of Congress today and tell them why music education matters to you: bit.ly/nafme-hill-day-2026

As school closes, we think fondly back on our All Virginia Event in Richmond!!! Enjoy these images from the event!!!

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It was an AWESOME day in Richmond for the ceremonial signing for HB 478 for the new Virginia Fine Arts Diploma Seal with Governor Abigail Spanberger and Delegate Vivian Watts. We have the most amazing arts education advocates and we are so proud of the work we do! Thanks to Michelle Milligan and Nick Leonard for their leadership, and Annie Ray, Chris Moseley and Annamarie Severini Bollino for representing VMEA on this historic signing!!

We share with profound sadness and grief the passing of educator and friend Doug Martin on May 18, 2026.

Doug dedicated years of service to our community, serving VMEA - Virginia Music Educators Association as head of the Conference Logistics Committee and Treasurer, as well as VBODA - Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors' Association as the Grading Committee Chair.

We offer our deepest condolences to all who are mourning his loss this week—including his wife, children, family, students, colleagues, and the countless others who benefited from Doug's incredible influence. www.vmea.com/in-memorium

VMEA and Arts Advocates - Join NAfME in this important advocacy effort!

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies meets soon to address the FY27 budget. Make sure your elected officials hear from you and federal education funding supporting music education is strengthened! Email Congress now: https://nafmeorg.quorum.us/campaign/157362/

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies meets soon to address the FY27 budget. Make sure your elected officials hear from you and federal education funding supporting music education is strengthened! Email Congress now: https://nafmeorg.quorum.us/campaign/157362/

FY 2027 Appropriations Heat Up How you can support arts education funding

Congratulations Virginia! We did it! 🎉

HB478 which requires the Board of Education to establish criteria for awarding a high school diploma seal for excellence in fine arts, was signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger (effective 7/1/2026)! 🎶 🎨 🎭 🩰

There is still a journey before we see this put into action, but it is a major step forward. The future of arts education is bright!

Thank you Delegate Vivian Watts for sponsoring this very important bill ❤️! Thank you to all of our members and partners for your advocacy and support of this bill.