The NFHS Podcast

Join NFHS Coordinator of Sports, Jessie Benner as she speaks with Becky Moran, NIAAA Associate Executive Director on the importance of encouraging support of female athletics. Moran explains what it means to her to be a woman in sports and how we can create a positive narrative around female sports and activities.

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Subscribe and share this episode!

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• https://www.nfhs.org/
• Know someone who would be a great guest? Email: kburke@nfhs.org

Host Ken Burke is joined by Eric Arnold, Program Director for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) Executive Institute at Western Illinois University. As someone who has so much experience with emergency action plans and campus safety, there are few people that know more than Eric on these issues and topics. 

Throughout this conversation, Eric shares stories, lessons-learned, and strategies that could help substantially in ensuring campus and event safety, no matter the location or size. Listen now and hear more about:

• Developing and implementing emergency action plans
• Initial steps he would suggest to administrators and event coordinators
• The most effective strategies he has implemented or observed
• Success stories of interventions or programs that significantly improved security
• Challenges that have emerged in the realm of school safety with the rise of digital platforms and social media

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Join NFHS Coordinator of Marketing and Social Media, Olivia Jennings as she speaks with NFHS Director of Sports, Julie Cochran on the origin and evolution of the Women in Leadership team. Cochran explains how she identified the need and began to create the program and the ways in which it has grown to serve our member states around the nation.

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On this episode of The Stage, host Ken Burke speaks with Ramon Rivera, Mount Vernon School District Mariachi Director, Mariachi Artist, and 2023 Washington State Music Educator of the year. Ramon Rivera began teaching Mariachi in the late 90s and brings a wealth of knowledge on the subject and on educating to this conversation.

As he leads and educates students through music, he has built the most extensive Mariachi Program on the west side of the state of Washington in the Mount Vernon High School Mariachi & Folklorico program with over 200 students enrolled. 

Talking points for today's discussion:

• How he initially became interested in music education 
• The unique benefits that mariachi music and Folklorico brings to students
• Letting students pursue their passions and any activity they want
• How he has seen mariachi music education positively impact cultural awareness and appreciation
• Ways in which parents and communities can support the growth of music education
• Success stories about students whose lives have been positively impacted by their involvement in mariachi music education

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On this episode, host Ken Burke interviews Dr. David Kelley, Associate Professor in the Sport Administration Program within the University of Cincinnati’s School of Human Services. He also currently serves as the Online Master’s Degree in Sport Administration Program Coordinator and has a wealth of knowledge not only on sport administration, but on grant writing, corporate sponsorships, and more!

Throughout this conversation, we discuss: 

• Having a hands-on teaching approach
• Growing programs from "humble beginnings"
• Why it's important for educators and administrators to educate themselves on grant facilitation
• The biggest challenge when it comes to fundraising and grant writing
• Tips he would give for anyone that is interested in securing grants or writing them

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On this episode of The Stage, our guest today is Tooshar Swain, Director of Public Policy at Americans for the Arts. Before joining Americans for the Arts, Tooshar served as Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the National Association for Music Education. Tooshar has made a career in Music Education, Policy, and Advocacy, and has even worked on Capitol Hill with the US Senate.

Throughout the conversation, you will hear more about:

• How Americans for the Arts aims to promote recognition and support for the arts
• Why his experience with the National Association for Music Education shaped his understanding of the challenges faced by music educators
• Successes and achievements he's been involved in to make a positive impact on arts education
•  The intersection between arts and policy

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Our guest today is Davine Davis, former Assistant Executive Director of the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Davine, who has recently retired, helped establish Missouri as one of the leading states in the country in terms of music and she has served on the NFHS Education Committee as well as the NFHS Spirit Rules Committee. She made a career out of strengthening relationships with music directors across the state of Missouri.

Listen and learn more about her career, what she learned throughout, and more, including: 

• How Davine's teaching background helped her throughout her career with the MSHSAA
• How she was able to stay plugged in with music directors across Missouri
• The most challenging part of her duties
• One thing that she wish she knew when she first started in this profession
• Her pivotal role in pioneering a music festival software to help facilitate district and state festivals

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On this episode of The Stage, our guest today is Chantal Epp! Chantal is the  Founder and CEO of ClicknClear. ClicknClear prioritizes music licensing for Choreographed Sports, Arts, and Fitness, and makes it easy! Chantal is a multiple award winning business founder and owner, an international cheerleader, and so much more that we will touch on throughout our conversation today.

Listen now and learn more about her career and life, including: 

• Why/How she started ClicknClear
• How her background in cheerleading and music assisted her in making connections for music rights
• Why it's so important for schools, companies, and organizations to be educated on music licensing and copyright
• How the NFHS and ClicknClear work together to help schools and organizations

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On this episode of The Stage, our guest today is Craig Manteuffel, Assistant Executive Director with the Kansas State High School Activities Association and newly appointed Assistant Executive Director of the Kansas Music Educators Association. In his role, Craig oversees Speech, Debate and Drama, Music, Piano administration, Sportsmanship and Event Sanctioning. He is also coming off of his time as the NFHS Music Advisory Committee Chair.

In this conversation, Craig gives insight into his teaching background, his love for the performing arts, and legendary stories that will make you laugh, think, and wonder. Listen today as we discuss: 

• The best part of teaching in performing arts for nearly 30 years
• Reflection on working at the KSHSAA and as the NFHS Music Committee Chair
• Why state associations should work together within and throughout the NFHS
• How he has seen the work done in the middle and high school space carry on for the rest of students’ lives
• Why he loves Kansas City culture, football, and barbeque

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On this episode of The Stage,  Nick Averwater, Vice President of Amro Music, joins the show today to discuss how the retail industry continues to support music education across the nation. Amro Music is the largest piano, band, and orchestra store in the Mid-South and one of the largest in the nation. It has been family-owned and operated in Memphis since 1921. Nick also hosts their podcast called "After Hours", in which he has conversations for music educators all across the nation!

Today, Nick and host Ken discuss a variety of topics from Nick's personal and professional life, including: 

• What it's like to work for and run the Mid-South's largest music company
• How to support music education from the retail industry
• The work he does with NASMD, NAMM, and the Music Achievement Council
• How the After Hours Podcast helps music educators
• Challenges that music educators face today

Check out the After Hours Podcast!

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Jennifer Brooks began her career in 1996 as a band and choir director for Banks (Oregon) Junior and Senior High School before moving to the David Douglas School District in Portland, Oregon, in 1998, where she currently works as the director of all music in the K-12 schools. Today, we get to talk to Jennifer about winning this year’s NFHS Music Citation Award, her career as an educator, and what she’s learned from holding numerous leadership roles with the NFHS, the Oregon Band Directors Association, and the Oregon Music Educators Association. 

This series aims to shine light on all three of the 2023 Performing Arts NFHS Citation Award Recipients. Topics for this discussion include: 

• The one thing Jennifer is most proud of
• Analysis on her time serving on the NFHS Music Committee as a member and later as the Chair
• Why she has felt called to educate the next generation on the importance of music in the world
• Advice for young women in the performing arts education space

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On this episode of the Stage, we honor Jamelle Brown, 2023 NFHS Citation Award recipient for Speech and Debate. For those of you who remember, Jamelle was a guest on our show a few months ago, but we invited her back on to talk more about her education background, how it feels to win a NFHS Citation award, and more.

Jamelle is a high school speech and debate coach at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in Kansas City, Kansas, teaching and inspiring students for years.  She was named the 2022 NFHS Speech, Debate and Theatre Outstanding Educator Award for Section 5 and has led speech and debate teams to a number of Kansas State Championships, along with holding so many leadership roles in the education world. Get ready to listen and learn from one of the brightest minds in the Speech and Debate profession!

This series aims to shine light on all three of the 2023 Performing Arts NFHS Citation Award Recipients. Topics for this discussion include: 

• Jamelle's thoughts on receiving the 2023 NFHS Speech & Debate Citation Award
• Why women should hold leadership roles and her experiences as one
• Why “Fear is NOT an Option”
• How speech and debate pushes students creatively and intuitively unlike any other activity
• What she hopes to accomplish next in her career

Listen to Jamelle's previous interview on The Stage: https://thenfhspodcast.buzzsprout.com/274814/12007412 

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On this episode of the Stage, we are honoring Rebecca Meyer-Larson, 2023 NFHS Citation Award recipient for Theatre. Rebecca is a theatre and speech & debate educator at Moorhead High School in Minnesota and has led her students to MANY state titles, awards, and more. During her 32-year career, Meyer-Larson has received several honors including two U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Teacher awards, NFHS Outstanding Educator State Award and Spotlight Education Theater Educator Award, five Diamond Coach in the National Speech and Debate Association and the 2019 Minnesota State High School League AA Coach of the Year.

Today you as the listener get to hear from someone that puts her students first, has a passion for theatre and speech & debate, and gives excellent advice for students and educators on being able to have a life full of performing, laughter, and support. 

This series aims to shine light on all three of the 2023 Performing Arts NFHS Citation Award Recipients. Topics for this discussion include: 

• Rebecca's thoughts on receiving the 2023 NFHS Theatre Citation Award
• How she has prioritized inclusivity and social change through education 
• Why it's important to highlight the work and talent that students possess
• Continuing theatre well into adulthood

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On this episode of The Stage, John Mlynczak, the new President and CEO of National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), joins the show to discuss how music education and creative industry can work together to better the future of music as a whole. John has so much experience not only in the creative industry space, but also in the music education world, as well. He has worked as a music educator, the VP at Hal Leonard, and even in the music technology space. 

Some topics discussed in today's conversation:

• How John's background in music education and music technology assisted in getting him to this point
• What he hopes to accomplish in his presidency with NAMM
• Importance of the NAMM Show for the creative industry
• Relationship of music education and creative industry in 2033
• Future plans for arts advocacy
• His favorite hobby

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Dr. Steven Karageanes is a primary care sports medicine physician at Restorative Physical Medicine, a founding member of Athletes and the Arts and co-hosts the Athletes and the Arts podcast, and is one of the first physicians in the United States certified in performing arts medicine by the Performing Arts Medical Association. 

Today, Dr. Karageanes joins the show today to discuss how to emphasize health and wellness within the performing arts space.  As he has been involved with medicine in athletics and the arts, he brings a unique perspective to this conversation. 

Listen today as we discuss:

• Why it's important to advocate for physical and mental health within the performing arts space
• Mission and goal of Athletes and the Arts
• What he's learned from doing the Athletes and the Arts Podcast
• Increasing awareness on performer health
• How to advocate for all activities equally, creatively, and collectively

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Join NFHS Coordinator of Sports, Jessie Benner, as she speaks with Executive Director and Co-Founder of American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Tommie Storms, to share her journey. Storms emphasizes the importance of offering inclusive opportunities for all and explains how AAASP came about.

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On this episode of The Stage,  Adam Jacobi, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association comes on the show. Adam has been involved in education, adjudication, communication, and so much more for 20-plus years, and he continues to work to bring opportunities for every student in Wisconsin. With a background with the NFHS, NSDA, high school outreach programs, and more, he has wisdom and advice for all educators involved in speech, debate, and theatre. 

Throughout the conversation, we discuss a wide variety of topics, including:

• Why Adam has made a career out of advocating and teaching speech, debate, and theatre
• His journey through educating, adjudicating, coaching, and more
• His educating experience in China
• How his work is helping high school students in Wisconsin 
• The biggest challenges he's faced in his tenure

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On this episode of The Stage, Robyn Hilger, Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association, joins the show to discuss what it means to have sustained creativeness and entrepreneurialism in the music classroom. With a wealth of knowledge within music education and advocacy, Hilger provides key information for all music educators looking for new, innovative ideas in their curriculums.

Learn from one of the brightest minds in music education and advocacy on:

• Robyn's unique journey from band student to choral professional
• Resources that ACDA gives for music educators and programs all over
• Advice she would give for music educators in maintaining creativity and longevity
• Her love for educating, advocating, and Formula 1 racing

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As March is Music In Our Schools Month, there is no better way to celebrate than talking with NAfME president Scott Sheehan on the importance of music education across the nation! Scott's presidency began last year, but he has been in music education for nearly three decades. As the Director of Bands and Music Department Chairperson at the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in Pennsylvania and former President of the NAfME Eastern Division, he continues his work in advocacy and relationship building throughout the entire country. 

While we celebrate music education this entire month,  this conversation provides context behind why we should be advocating for music in every school. There are central talking points in this discussion, too, including:

• How Scott's background has helped him in his presidency
• Resources for music educators all over in Music In Our Schools Month
• Balancing advocacy, research, learning, and growth
• The trajectory of music education opportunity in the US
• Emphasizing collaboration and trust in music education

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On this episode of the Stage, Dr. Mark Spede, Director of Bands at Clemson University, joins the show to discuss how to achieve growth and prosperity in music programs across the nation. As the recipient of the Clemson University 2009 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and a three-time recipient of the Clemson University Board of Trustees Awards for Faculty Excellence, Dr. Spede has a plethora of experience in not only growing programs, but maintaining success in the college setting. 

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Spede gives excellent advice to band directors across the country that want to grow their programs, whether that be at the collegiate level or the high school level. Listen and learn about:

• What he looks for in high schoolers when recruiting for his band
• The best part about leading bands and students at Clemson University
• His involvement with the International Performing Arts Aerosol Study
• How he's used his platform to see continuous growth at Clemson, going from 150+ band members to over 360 during his time at the university
• Advice he would give to music educators about growth, success, and stability

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