From the President

Casey Cropp

My thanks to everyone in CMEA for our most recent conference at the Broadmoor!! It has been more than an honor to serve as President-Elect for the past two years. It still seems unreal to have been entrusted by you to help guide this amazing organization, and to be able to interact with all of you in seeking the most amazing music-making opportunities for every student in Colorado!

Also, may I please thank my predecessors who have plowed the trail and shown the road forward… Cynthia Eversole – You embody grace and dignity, hope and thoughtfulness in every dimension of leadership! I can only hope to keep shining your light so that we may continue the vision and positivity for music education that you model every day! Kevin Beaber – Steadfast, encouraging, reasoned, engaged, selfless, and dedicated are only a few words that come to me when I think of describing you. Even though I consider you my older brother and make fun of that publicly, I cherish and deeply value the relationship we have made since you student taught with me back in 1984 (I believe). Your service to CMEA will likely never be matched!

To all of those who ran for this year’s council and board positions, whether you were voted in or not, my thanks and respect for honoring our profession!

And a special thanks to both Andrea Meyers – Membership and Retired Membership Chair, and Michael Paulez – Technology Chair! Andrea, it will take two people to fill the incredibly large presence you have created for all in CMEA! Thanks for your willingness to make CMEA a better place, and for showing us the way to increase our retired membership presence and involvement! Michael, I met you when I was Instrumental Chair on the board and immediately, we were friends and enjoyed working together. My best wishes for your new teaching position responsibilities, as well as the more important “dad” responsibilities!!

We have recently revised and renewed our CMEA By-Laws, which require the incoming President to appoint individuals who have been evaluated and established to help us continue to develop in areas specific to their interests. It is my pleasure to announce the incoming Ex-Officio appointments to the CMEA Board beginning today.

• Membership Chair – Trey Tafoya
• Retired Membership Chair – Kirk Vogel
• Technology Chair – Sean Hedding
• Historian – Angela Schendel Keedy

Many thanks to all who demonstrated interest in these positions and my heartfelt congratulations to those listed above!

Please reach out if there is any way that I can serve you. I wish you all a very successful and productive second semester!! Get to it!!!

Casey

From the Executive Director

William Kohut

Interested in Presenting at the 2025 CMEA Conference

The Colorado Music Educators Association will accept proposals for workshops, clinics, and professional development sessions for the 2025 Clinic/Conference; for CMEA Honor Performing Groups; and for CMEA Honor Award recipients. The submission form will be live on May 1, 2024 on the CMEA website.

Submitting a Proposal for an Honor Performing Group at the 2025 CMEA Conference

The Colorado Music Educators Association will be accepting proposals for workshops, clinics, and professional development sessions for the 2025 Clinic/Conference; for CMEA Honor Performing Groups; and for CMEA Honor Award recipients.  The submission form will be live on May 1, 2024 on the CMEA website.

Interested in nominating someone for a CMEA Honor Award, nomination form links will be released on August 1, 2024.

Colorado Music Educators Association

Election Commission Report 2024

The CMEA Board of Directors met at 2 pm on January 24, 2024 prior to the CMEA Conference to finalize and certify the election of the President-Elect of CMEA, as well as the District Representatives for Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8. The following CMEA members were elected to begin their terms on February 1, 2024.

The following are the certified election results for the 2024 CMEA Elections:

Proposed Revision of the CMEA By-Laws- Passed

The following people assumed office on February 1, 2024

• CMEA President-elect- Leila Heil
• CMEA District 2-
• General Music Rep- Emma Hartman
• Instrumental Rep- Kim Wilson
• Vocal Rep- Tara U-Ren
• CMEA District 4-
• General Music Rep- Julie Kuhlman
• Instrumental Rep- Jonathan Colson
• Vocal Rep- Lisa King
• CMEA District 6-
• General Music Rep- Matthew Wellman
• Instrumental Rep- Katie Oglesby
• Vocal Rep- Kim Waller
• CMEA District 8-
• General Music Rep- Taylor Smith
• Instrumental Rep- Celeste Landy
• Vocal Rep- Shanti Gruber

Are you interested in running for a State Assembly or Board Member position? 

Contact CMEA President-elect, 

LeilaHeil- leilaheil@earthlink.net .

New Process to Order Music Awards

The Colorado Music Educators Association is proud to partner with Western Awards and Recognition for the purchase of All-State Medals and Perpetual Plaques, CHSSA Large Festival Plaques, CMEA Conference Honor Performing Group Medals and Patches, and Solo and Ensemble Medals. Click on the link below to obtain an order form and either email or mail this Western Awards and Recognition. Western Awards and Recognition can also be reached at (303)-699-5691 or through email at westernawards@comcast.net .

Click HERE to download the awards order form.

Support our 2024 CMEA Exhibitors

Click HERE to see the exhibitor listings