On Wednesday, November 15, Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) National Executive Director David. A. Dik joined a delegation of 85 music and arts advocates, music industry leaders, music teachers and faculty, and business leaders to speak directly to Members of Congress and their staff in support of full funding for quality, comprehensive school music education programs for all children.
The NAMM Music Education Advocacy D.C. Fly-In welcomed 85 new and returning advocates from around the country, representing 41 states, for the annual event that focused on the advancement of federal funding for music education that ultimately benefits state and local communities.
“The NAMM Fly-In gives YA a platform to further amplify its advocacy and be part of a unified voice. By engaging directly with policymakers, we’re asserting our voice in support of arts in schools at the national level and in states served by the Young Audiences Arts for Learning network.”
- David A. Dik, Young Audiences Arts for Learning National Executive Director and NAMM Fly-In Delegate
The three-day event kicked off with a Network with the Pros event at the University of the District of Columbia where 50 music industry professionals gave career advice to high school and college music students who were also treated to tours of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus.
Over the course of three days, delegates received a series of briefings from national arts leaders and peer-to-peer mentoring that helped formulate the delegates’ enthusiastic and authentic pleas to state policymakers. Training sessions were presented on emerging policy issues and hot topics relevant to music education.
NAMM’s Advocacy Fly-In comes on the heels of the recent launch of The NAMM Foundation’s Careers in Music initiative in partnership with NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations), which includes the most comprehensive resources ever offered to parents, students, teachers and career counselors who wish to learn more about the many options available for pursuing a successful career in the music and creative industries.
Learn more here.
About Young Audiences Arts for Learning
Founded in 1952, Young Audiences Arts for Learning is the nation’s largest art in education network, impacting more than 5 million students and families each year in rural, suburban, and urban communities. Young Audiences works to support its diverse network of affiliated organizations that are each dedicated to playing a decisive role in the personal, artistic, and educational development of young people. To learn more about Young Audiences’ mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts, please visit: www.youngaudiences.org.
Contact
Lauren Altschuler
Communications Manager
lauren@ya.org
