FROM THE DESK

From the Executive Director

Jay Wardeska, Executive Director

Jay Wardeska, Executive Director

What a Year It Has Been!

Despite the challenging current landscape, Ohio’s music education community continues to provide exceptional experiences for students across the state. The Ohio Music Education Association has begun the process of expanding programming and services to meet the evolving needs of 21st-century music educators and their students. As a national leader in music education, OMEA is building on its tradition of excellence through new partnerships and long-term planning. Though the times remain uncertain, we are positioning OMEA to thrive and to support our members with strength and stability.

High Notes

The past year OMEA has celebrated many successes. In the summer of 2024, we held our first staff retreat, providing a valuable opportunity to reorganize internal workflows and collaborate with the Board of Trustees to identify future goals. This retreat marked the beginning of our work to build the capacity needed to achieve those goals.

Summer 2024 also saw the return of the OMEA Leadership Academy for the first time since before the pandemic. The academy gave nominated and self-identified future leaders an opportunity to learn more about the association and become better equipped to lead within OMEA.

I represented OMEA in several national organizations, including the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the Arts Education Partnership (AEP -- where I serve on the board), and at a joint summit with the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and NFHS. These associations provide a forum to discuss national trends and strategies to support music education. As a result, OMEA has collaborated with state partners to proactively address and prevent potential legislative threats. We are currently finalizing several new partnerships that will offer direct financial and structural support to underserved student populations in Ohio.

Communication with our membership continues to evolve. This year, we improved the accessibility and readability of the TRIAD, the very issue you’re reading now. We also increased our presence across social media—Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok—and launched our first-ever podcast, OMEA: Backstage Pass, available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon.

The 2025 Professional Development Conference (PDC) was another outstanding success. Despite rising costs due to inflation and ongoing challenges in the hospitality industry, we maintained attendee fees at levels comparable to 2024. We continue to seek alternative funding streams to help keep costs low. The 2025 PDC elevated the quality and scope of our clinic sessions and performances. We welcomed the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, launched new partnerships with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Steinway, and introduced the Cameo Concerts—brief, live performances that brought music to every corner of the event.

We also began taking meaningful steps toward the long-term sustainability and growth of the All-State program. Our partnership with Cleveland State University’s School of Music provided high-quality rehearsal space while helping us manage costs.

As a membership, we have much to be proud of. Many projects are currently in planning or implementation phases that will expand OMEA’s capacity to serve students and educators across Ohio more effectively.

Tuning Up for Long-Term Success

Much of the Ohio Music Education Association’s growth over the years has come in response to immediate needs. While that flexibility has helped us serve members well in the moment, it has also led to workflows, responsibilities, and services that are sometimes fragmented or overlapping.

We are now shifting toward a more strategic and intentional planning model. This begins with identifying clear needs, strategically prioritizing them, establishing a structured framework, and building the necessary capacity before implementing solutions.

At present, OMEA is undertaking several key projects with this forward-thinking approach. Each initiative begins by defining a long-term objective, followed by mapping out the steps to achieve it. We develop timelines, outline milestones, identify stakeholders, and determine the infrastructure needed to support the work.

Rather than moving forward with existing resources alone, we are taking the necessary time to assess both our budget and workforce, ensuring we have what we need to support initiatives sustainably. In some cases, this includes securing additional funding or expanding staff roles; in others, it involves restructuring responsibilities to align with organizational priorities.

This ongoing shift marks an important evolution for OMEA. We are carefully working to untangle remnants of reactive planning and build a strong, future-ready foundation. Through intentional planning and preparation, we are aiming not only to complete projects—but to establish lasting systems that support our mission and our members for years to come.

Legislative Landscapes

The combined pressure of balancing state and federal budgets and expanding Ohio’s school voucher program is straining the financial stability of many local districts. As we prepare to offer additional support to district music programs, we must also continue to advocate and educate our legislators about the critical value of music education.

OMEA continues to work with our national partners and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) to provide members with timely information and direct opportunities to engage with elected officials. We urge all members to follow OMEA and NAfME on social media, read email updates, and take action when called upon.

As of this writing, we are closely monitoring the 2025–2026 state budget process in the Ohio General Assembly. The current draft provides a modest increase in school funding but falls short of projected needs. It does, however, sustain existing funding levels for the Ohio Arts Council. Final decisions remain uncertain.

Through our sister organization, the Ohio Foundation for Music Education (OFME), we are working to expand available grants and resources for school music programs across the state. Grants through state partners like the Ohio Arts Council remain accessible and vital.

The most important thing each OMEA member can do is stay informed and advocate—especially through direct communication with legislators. Our advocacy team is working diligently behind the scenes, but individual member voices remain essential.

The Next Movement

While some may feel that change comes slowly to OMEA, we want our members to know that we are actively working to expand services and support in a thoughtful, well-planned manner. This ensures the long-term viability of the organization and the sustainability of the new initiatives we are building. I encourage you to stay in touch—reach out to your elected representatives (District/Region Officers, State Board of Trustees) and our staff with your ideas, concerns, and suggestions. The more we hear from you, the more precisely we can tailor our efforts to meet your needs.

I also want to acknowledge the immense challenges facing today’s educators. Having spent 30 years in the classroom myself—and with my wife Amy still teaching—I understand the difficulty and the importance of what you do. Music education has never been an easy or well-supported profession, but it is more vital than ever. I urge you to share your successes with your students, your communities, and your colleagues. Celebrate and amplify the joy of music wherever and however you can. Support those just beginning their careers. Use your voice, your art, and your influence to keep music education strong for generations to come.

Thank you for your extraordinary work and for your continued support of OMEA. Together, we can—and we will!

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. He also serves as a member of the Arts Education Partnership Advisory Council. 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.

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