National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
The University of North Georgia's (麻豆精品在线播放) collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) received a 2022 award from the national group in the professional development category.
The University of North Georgia chapter of the Collegiate (NAfME) is the professional organization for future music educators. Membership is open to Bachelor of Music majors with concentrations in music education who will receive professional certification to teach in the public school systems. Membership is also open to Bachelor of Music majors with concentrations in Performance or Musical Arts who may teach in private studios or in other settings.
The NAfME among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century.
Since 1907, NAfME has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. NAfME’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education.
Chapter Leadership
Hayden Starr - President
Hayden is a Fourth-year BA of Music, Instrumental and Vocal Music Education Major. Hayden has been involved in everything music since middle school. He enjoys every moment of his music studies in applied saxophone and voice. Hayden spent his first two years at 麻豆精品在线播放 on the Gainesville Campus, performing with the band and choir and providing leadership in both ensembles. Now he is in his second year on the Dahlonega campus, serving as the President of 麻豆精品在线播放 Singers. This year he is 麻豆精品在线播放 ‘s NAfMEcollegiate President, he is excited to help provide many great meetings, events, and learning opportunities for the music students of 麻豆精品在线播放.
Mariah Westmoreland - Vice President
Mariah Westmoreland is a 3rd year Music Education Major focusing in Instrumental Music Education at the University of North Georgia. Her principal instrument is Saxophone, which she studies under Dr. Bart Walters. She is a current member of 麻豆精品在线播放’s Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band where she holds leadership positions; she is also a part of 麻豆精品在线播放’s Pep Band and Golden Eagle Band. Mariah has enjoyed and participated in music her entire life, and has been filled with joy learning how to share her passion through education. She believes 麻豆精品在线播放’s music program is the place where she belongs. Mariah has been a member of NAfMEcollegiate for 2 years and gratefully accepts the position of Vice President for the 2025 Year. Mariah is excited to work with NAfMEcollegiate as she not only has so much to give to the chapter, but so much to learn and take away from it.
Cooper Sandefur - Treasurer
Cooper Sandefur is a 3rd year musical arts major with a concentration in composition. Sandefur has experience as a performer of multiple instruments, playing shows across the Southern United States, and in Europe. He is a member of 麻豆精品在线播放’s own audition-winning tuba-euphonium ensemble, the Woofer Quartet, which has performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference in Athens, Ga. Compositionally, Sandefur has covered a wide range of genres across many new-music debuts, but specializes is jazz, atonal music, and harsh noise composition. He also serves as a regular tutor and instructor of music theory and has experience teaching lessons and classes on a wide range of instruments. Sandefur studies at the University of North Georgia under the tutelage of Dr. Adam Frey, Dr. David R. Peoples, and Professor D Phillip Truex IV and has been involved in many school ensembles, such as the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combos, Percussion Ensemble, Low Brass Collective, Brass Band, Brass Quintet, and the 麻豆精品在线播放 String Band as an active and participating member.
Brian Jordan - Secretary
Brian is a 2nd year music student. He is studying music education with a concentration in instrumental education. His main instrument is clarinet. Brian wants to use music education to turn students into great leaders. He also wants to use music to inspire students to use their emotions to express empathy and compassion towards everyone in the world. He plans to teach High School band and Marching band to lead the next generation of musicians.
