GenNext, Music Education Days, The Nonprofit Management Institute, and More Return to The 2023 NAMM Show

Signature programs and events of The NAMM Foundation including GenNext, Music Education Days, the Nonprofit Management Institute, and the Grand Rally for Music Education, will return to The 2023 NAMM Show, April 13-15 in Anaheim, California. K-12 teachers and administrators, college students and faculty, and nonprofit and community leaders are invited to participate in a record number of professional development sessions, career-expanding programs, and networking opportunities to inspire and support the individuals and organizations that are creating access and opportunity for all people to learn and make music. In addition, the programs serve to support NAMM’s new Million More Music Makers initiative, which is designed to advance music-making for people of all ages and abilities.

Music Education Days

For music teachers and school administrators seeking “what’s next?” in classroom technologies, curricula, and music products, Music Education Days will present 50+ hands-on workshops, sessions, and events as part of the NAMM’s Million More Music Makers initiative. The sessions are designed to inform, inspire, and engage with the tools relevant to today’s music classrooms. The sessions are presented in collaboration with American String Teachers Association; California Music Educators Association; Guitar and Accessory Marketing Association; Guitars for Vets; Guitars in the Classroom; Langley Ukulele Association; Make Music Alliance; Music Will; National Association for Music Education; Save the Music Foundation; Technology in Music Education; and Young Audiences Arts for Learning.

Session highlights include “From Performing Musician to Classroom Guitar Teacher,” a hands-on workshop for performers who wish to expand their skills to become artists in residence in schools or teach in private studios; “Elemental Ukulele: Pathways and Possibilities in The General Music Classroom,” a two-part series that will draw from principles of universal design for learning framed within recognizable elements of the Orff Approach; “Demonstration Class: Teaching Beginning Ukulele to Children,” where participants can enjoy a lesson with master teachers who will demonstrate pedagogical approaches to teaching a ukulele ensemble; “Modern Band 101: Drums, Vocals, and Bass Focus,” a hands-on introductory course to modern band and the Music as a Second Language® pedagogy; “String Teaching Simplified: Teaching Strings for The Non-String Player,” a three-hour immersive workshop presented by the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) that will provide non-string players with the information, tools, and resources needed to teach strings successfully; “Creating a Live Electronic Music Group,” which will explore how to use the latest technology and touring techniques to create an authentically student-led pop music group, among many other sessions.

GenNext

A collaboration between The NAMM Foundation and The College Music Society (CMS), the GenNext program will offer 27 dedicated educational and networking sessions for college music students and faculty. Special sessions include “Be Marketable! Combining Performance and Entrepreneurship,” which will give participants the tools and resources to enhance their brand; “The Inside Scoop of Working in the Music Software Industry,” a panel session of experts who play a vital role in the creation, distribution, marketing, and sales of some of the most popular music software brands in the market; “How to Stay Out of Soul Crushing Student Debt and Get a Career in Audio that Doesn’t Suck,” featuring thought leaders in a deep discussion about mentorship and finding the right career path in professional audio; and “Making and Repairing Guitars for a Living,” a panel discussion that will uncover the wide variety of jobs that lead to a career in guitar making and repair.  

GenNext will also present “Network with the Pros: Quick Tips for Having A Career in the Music Industry.” Held each day of The NAMM Show, students will have the opportunity to connect with industry insiders in these mini-mentoring sessions as they determine their next steps for having a career in music.

The Nonprofit Management Institute

NAMM’s Nonprofit Management Institute will provide nonprofit music service organization leaders and their representatives with the resources and strategies to start, grow, or increase the reach of their organizations through thought-provoking sessions. Located on the stage inside NAMM Member Center at the Anaheim Convention Center, the program will offer four consecutive sessions. Session topics include “Seven Ways to Build Deeply Rooted Capacity for Your Nonprofit Organization”; “Embedding Equity: An Arts-Integrated Approach for Nonprofit Leadership”; “Rethinking the Village: Need, Opportunity, Resources, Supply and Demand”; and “10 Things You Need to Do Right Now to Advance Your Nonprofit Organization.”

NAMM Foundation Special Events

The Grand Rally for Music Education

A perennial favorite, “The Grand Rally for Music Education,” returns to The 2023 NAMM Show on Saturday, April 15 from 12:00 - 1:00p.m. Located inside the Anaheim Convention Center in the Ballroom, the event celebrates music educators, advocates, and community organizations that make it possible for equitable access to music education for all. As part of NAMM’s Million More Music Makers initiative, Dr. Molly Miller of the Molly Miller Trio will engage in conversation and perform. Dr. Miller has played, recorded, and toured with Jason Mraz, Black Eyed Peas, and Sin Bandera at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Royal Albert Hall, and Coachella. Additional featured guests include Latin Jazz guitarist and World Series champion Bernie Williams and the Legacy Ukulele Ensemble. 

The Careers in Music Summit

On Friday, April 14 from 3:00 - 4:00p.m., industry leaders from across the crossroads of professional communities will answer, “What does it take to have a successful career in the music industry?” Moderated by NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond, panelists include Jeremy McQueary, W.H. Paige and Co., Inc.; Lisa MacDonald, Yamaha; Piper Payne, engineer, educator, and technologist; and Kelly Riordan, Outside the Bachs, who will offer insight into their career trajectories and share practical insights for long-term success.

All-Industry Drum Circle – The 30^th Anniversary!
All NAMM Show attendees are encouraged to drum up enthusiasm for music-making at NAMM’s annual All-Industry Drum Circle. On Friday, April 14 from 5:00 - 6:00p.m., the Palm Court will come alive with a rhythmic celebration. The annual event offers participants a chance to enjoy the collective music-making experience. Percussion instruments will be provided on behalf of Remo, Inc.  

Ukulele Circle
On Saturday, April 15, from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m., the Palm Court will be filled with the melodic sounds of the instrument known as the “jumping flea,” the ukulele! The event will gather music-makers of all abilities to unleash their island spirit.

The NAMM Foundation programs and events are just part of The 2023 NAMM Show, where all sessions and events will take place on The NAMM Show Campus, with some available through the show’s digital extension, NAMM Show+. In addition, other professional development opportunities from NAMM U, TEC Tracks, A3E - Advanced Audio + Applications Exchange, the Event Safety Alliance, ESTA - Entertainment Services Technology Association, and more, will be present.

The Show will also see the return of much-loved industry award events, including the Parnelli Awards, the TEC Experience, and the She Rocks Awards, as well as other event gatherings and networking opportunities, including the Top 100 Dealer, Pro Audio Pool Party, Women of NAMM and NAMM Young Professionals receptions, and more.

In addition to the events and professional development sessions, attendees of The 2023 NAMM Show will enjoy a robust show floor with exhibiting brands, including Adam Hall; ADJ; Allen & Heath; American Music & Sound; Apogee; Avid; beyerdynamic; C.F. Martin & Co.; Casio; Conn-Selmer; d&b audiotechnik; Ernie Ball; ESP; Harman; IK Multimedia; Ibanez; Kala; Kawai; KMC Music; Konig and Meyer; Line 6; Pioneer; Shure; Tama; Ultimate Ears; and Yamaha, among many others. 

Registration is now open for The 2023 NAMM Show. To register, please visit https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attend.