©2026 Ohio Music Education Association
Committee Updates
Continuing the Conversation: OMEA Leaders Strengthen Advocacy Efforts at the Ohio Statehouse
Danielle Shaub, OMEA Advocacy Chair
Danielle Shaub,
OMEA Advocacy Chair
On October 10th, members of the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) leadership team traveled to the Ohio Statehouse to continue vital advocacy conversations with state policymakers. Representing OMEA were Executive Director Jay Wardeska, President Brian Stevens, President-Elect Danielle Shaub, and Advocacy Chair Paul Glader. This visit marked another step forward in OMEA’s growing legislative presence and ongoing commitment to ensuring that music education remains an essential component of a complete and well-rounded education for all Ohio students.
During OMEA’s first State Hill Day, we shared the impact of music education directly with legislators and policy staff. The energy, engagement, and openness of conversations demonstrated a clear recognition that music plays a crucial role not only in academic success, but also in social-emotional development, creativity, and community engagement.
Our October meeting at the Statehouse provided the opportunity to reaffirm OMEA’s three primary advocacy priorities:
1. Certified Music Educators in Every Classroom – Ensuring that all music courses across Ohio’s K–12 schools are taught by licensed and properly certified music educators, not general classroom teachers without specific content expertise.
2. Music as a High School Graduation Requirement – Preserving music within Ohio’s core graduation pathway to affirm its equal status among academic disciplines and to promote continued participation at the secondary level.
3. Music as a Vital Part of a Well-Rounded Education – Emphasizing that music is not an “extra” or “elective,” but rather a fundamental subject that supports learning across content areas and nurtures the whole child.
The OMEA team was encouraged by the productive dialogue with state leaders who expressed a genuine interest in understanding the challenges and successes experienced by music educators throughout Ohio’s schools. These conversations reinforced our collective belief that when policymakers, administrators, and teachers collaborate, students benefit most.
Encouragingly, Representative Scott Oelslager, long known for his support of education and the arts, has committed to attending a music event at Lake Local Schools in December. His participation underscores the growing recognition among legislators that local schools are hubs of creativity, leadership, and student achievement through music.
Additionally, District 1 Representative Dontavius Jarrells, will be attending the OMEA Professional Development Conference in Columbus to engage in discussions with members of the State Board on Thursday. This collaboration at both the legislative and educational leadership levels reflect OMEA’s commitment to creating ongoing dialogue that connects policy decisions to classroom realities.
As OMEA’s advocacy footprint continues to expand, these conversations are becoming not only more frequent but also more impactful. By building sustained relationships with decision-makers, OMEA ensures that the needs and perspectives of music educators remain visible and influential in shaping educational policy across Ohio.
As President-Elect, I am deeply encouraged by the momentum these visits have created. The shared vision between our leadership team and our state partners reaffirms that advocacy is not a one-time event, but it is a continuous process of education, collaboration, and engagement. Each meeting, each conversation, and each local performance we share with our policymakers strengthens the foundation for lasting support of music education.
Looking ahead, OMEA plans to continue these visits and collaborative efforts throughout the coming year. Together, we will keep advancing the message that music education is essential to every child’s growth and every community’s success.