©2023 Ohio Music Education Association
FROM THE DESK
From the Executive Director
From the Executive Director
Jay Wardeska, Executive Director
Jay Wardeska,
Executive Director
It has been exciting to welcome our members back to the classroom for another academic year, and it has been refreshing to read the passionate social posts from so many educators who are excited for sharing music with another generation of students. OMEA is continuing a period of significant change and progress. The fall brings not only a return to teaching and inspiring the next generation of musicians, but also the continued evolution of OMEA to better serve our members. From major technology upgrades and increased flexibility in adjudicated events to our enhanced advocacy efforts and preparations for the 2025 Professional Development Conference, we are working to ensure that OMEA remains at the forefront of music education. As we move forward into this new year, we are committed to supporting you with the resources, tools, and opportunities that will help you thrive in the classroom and beyond.
A Time of Change and Growth for OMEA
A Time of Change and Growth for OMEA
OMEA is undergoing a period of significant change and growth. We are in the advanced stages of our major technology upgrades, which includes expansion of our new website, added flexibility in scheduling adjudicated events, increasing access to information, and modernizing our payment systems. These advancements are part of our broader effort to streamline operations and better serve our members.
Our newly established Advocacy Committee is actively working to support individual music programs across Ohio and is creating a strong presence at the local, state, and national levels. The committee's focus is on ensuring equitable access to a high-quality music education for all students.
We are further engaging with partners on the national level in addition to NAfME. OMEA recently gained a seat at the table of the Arts Education Partnership which is a national organization with over 200 partner arts organizations. I will be serving as OMEA’s representative as a member of the National Advisory Board. We are continuing our associate membership with the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS). Brandon DuVall will continue to serve as a member of the Music Advisory Committee on behalf of OMEA. Brandon and I have been invited to present a session at the National Music Conference on managing Organizational Change. These partnerships help strengthen OMEA’s reach and ability to support our goal of every child in Ohio having equal access to a high quality music education.
Looking ahead, our 2025 Professional Development Conference promises to be an exciting event, featuring outstanding performances and clinics at the newly renovated Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Despite rising costs of goods and services, we have worked hard to maintain the lowest possible pricing for our members. We are also thrilled to welcome some new and exciting performers including the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra Chorus.
Many new initiatives are currently in development, and members will continue to see OMEA positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century Ohio music educators.
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Technology Update
As of this writing, it has been 14 months since the official launch of the new OMEA website. The transition has brought challenges for members, leaders, and staff as we adapted to the new technology, but we are making significant progress and beginning to see the benefits of our patience.
Based on input from site chairs, members, and staff, event hosts and participants will notice improved functionality and more intuitive interfaces for our event registration and scheduling system. While we have addressed all major requests from site chairs and adjudicated events participants, we continue to refine processes to enhance and streamline the user experience further.
At the same time, we are working to refine the overall website design to consolidate information and create a "one-stop shop" for our members. Our goal is to organize the site into easily accessible topic areas, such as "All-State Choir" or "Large Group Orchestra," allowing members to find information based on specific topics. Since the new website launched with the structure of the previous site, this evolution will occur over the next two years. Ideally, members will only notice that the website is becoming easier and more intuitive to use.
Accessing Information and Resources via the OMEA Website
The OMEA website serves as the central hub for all information related to our activities, events, and resources. Whether you are looking for details on adjudicated events, state-level events, district/region events, professional development opportunities, or simply need contact information for someone who can assist you, the website is your go-to source.
For questions specifically related to adjudicated events, we’ve made it easy to get direct answers. On the Adjudicated Events General Information page, you'll find an "Ask AE" button, which allows you to submit any inquiries you have regarding the adjudication process. Additionally, under the "About OMEA" tab, you can access contact information for OMEA leadership, ensuring you have direct communication with those who can best assist you.
OMEA also maintains a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, where we share updates and information. Furthermore, we have a dedicated Adjudicated Events Facebook Page. While these platforms provide useful information, we strongly encourage our members to avoid posting OMEA-related questions on unaffiliated social media feeds. Doing so may result in inaccurate responses or confusion. For the most accurate and timely information, we recommend utilizing the official OMEA website and social media feeds or reaching out to us directly.
A Refresher on the Governance Structure of OMEA
OMEA is a 501 (c)(6) non-profit organization governed by an adopted Constitution. According to the constitution, “The legislative power of this Association will be vested in the active, retired, and Collegiate membership through the OMEA State Board of Representatives, hereinafter designated as “State Board”. The State Board will have the general powers of administration of the affairs of the Association with authority to act and enact legislation except as contrary to the Constitution or as hereinafter expressly prohibited.”
The state board includes a Board of Trustees, five region chairs, seventeen district presidents, and the OCMEA President. Non-voting board members include other district and region officers, standing chairs/committee chairs, and representatives of allied organizations. An advisory panel may include representatives from organizations such as the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education (OAAE), the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA), the Ohio Choral Directors Association (OCDA), the Ohio String Teachers Association (OSTA), and Jazz Connection of Ohio (JECO). You can find the names and information on how to contact your state, region, and district leaders under the “About OMEA” tab on the OMEA website.
The current Board of Trustee members are:
- President: Brian Stevens
- President-Elect: BethAnn Hepburn
- Immediate Past-President: Dan Ruckman
- Treasurer: Tim Hoagland
- Secretary: Stephanie Bonitz
- Editor of TRIAD: Hilary Patriok
OMEA membership is divided by population and geography into seventeen districts and five regions. Each district and region elects representatives to the state board and participates in state officer elections.There are currently 29 committee chairs appointed every two years by the new president. For example, committees include the Adjudicated Events Committee, General Music Committee, and Mentorship Committee.
OMEA is a federated affiliate of the National Association for Music Education. Ohio is the third-largest affiliated music education association. Two-thirds of OMEA membership dues fund the national association, while the remaining dues support state, district, and regional activities.
OMEA employs five staff members in addition to the Executive Director, with varying responsibilities. All staff members have a background in Ohio music teaching and have long been OMEA members. Their passion for music education and pursuit of excellence for Ohio’s music teaching community is unparalleled. Listed below, in alphabetical order, are the current staff:
Mark Hensler – Director of Professional Development and Conference Management
Dane Newlove – Director of Awards and Materials
William Thomas – Director of Adjudications
Nicholas Turon – Director of Technology
William Wittman – Director of Business and Trade Show Operations
The Coda
It continues to be a time of change and growth for OMEA. Our organization is committed to embracing new technologies, enhancing the member experience, and ensuring access to high-quality music education for all students. From our advanced technology upgrades and progress towards more flexibility in adjudicated events to our new advocacy initiatives and exciting plans for the 2025 Professional Development Conference, we are continuously evolving to meet the needs of Ohio's music educators. Our newly launched website and modernized systems aim to make it easier for members to access information and engage with the organization. As we continue refining our services and positioning OMEA for the future, we remain dedicated to supporting and empowering our members with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in the 21st century. Together, we will shape a brighter future for music education in Ohio. If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, a member of our staff, or your OMEA leaders. We are here for you. Together we are OMEA!
Jay Wardeska serves as the Executive Director of OMEA and the Ohio Foundation for Music Education (OFME). He has served OMEA in a variety of leadership roles including District President, All-State Ensembles Chair, All-State Task Force Chair, and Adjudicated Events Chair. He also served as an adjudicator for solo and ensemble, large group, and marching band. Currently a PhD Candidate at The Ohio State University, he holds degrees from Kent State University (M.M.) and the University of Mount Union (B.M.E.). Jay taught music in the State of Ohio for over 30 years and was named the 2013 National Band Director of the Year by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the U.S. Army Band. He currently serves as the music director of the Brass Band of the Western Reserve and is an active guest conductor. Additional acknowledgements include membership in the NAfME U.S. Army All-American Band Directors Academy, Grammy Quarterfinalist for Music Educator of the Year, Medina County Arts Council Service to the Arts Award, the National Band Association Citation of Excellence, and the National Excellence in Teaching Award. He is also a Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Scholar.