The NAMM Foundation celebrates and promotes the intrinsic value of music education. Its initiatives, programs, and global impact are felt year-round, but each year at The NAMM Show, that effect is felt on a larger-than-life scale. With multiple programming paths to uplift music education and aid in developing the careers of emerging professionals, The NAMM Foundation brings a wide range of contributors who help grow and promote our industry.
During The 2022 NAMM Show, The NAMM Foundation hosted numerous concerts, educational sessions, and live events that showcase opportunities for NAMM members, college music students and faculty, PreK-12 educators, nonprofit service organizations, and other stakeholders and influencers who are essential to the music products industry ecosystem.
Collegiate music students and faculty from across the country gathered as part of the GenNext program at The NAMM Show. The program is made possible through a collaboration between The NAMM Foundation and The College Music Society (CMS) and includes a variety of diverse educational sessions aimed at aiding aspiring young professionals to find their path in the industry. In June, GenNext sessions included “Back in the Classroom: How to Combine Benefits of Technology with Instrumental Music,” “Careers in Music Summit,” “Diversification: Preparing Music Students for a 21st Century Income,” and “The Power of a Project Based-Career,” among others.
Jennifer Amaya is part of the CMS and teaches at Riverside City College and its Coil School for the Arts. While 2022 may not have been her first NAMM Show, she reported that it was one for the books and said, “I felt like The NAMM Show had this amazing energy, great sessions, all within the convention center. I have never spent so much time going from session to session and watching live performances.”
The 2022 NAMM Show was the first for Soo Goh of Appalachian State. They reflected on the experience saying, “As someone who is trained in the traditional music school and active in the classical music world, I have struggled to reconcile between classical and the music industry area. Attending The NAMM Show helped me realize that the classical music world is part of the industry. The strength of our industry only grows when we encourage and embrace music makers of all kinds.”
Music Educators and school administrators are invited to attend MED each year at The NAMM Show. In addition to exploring the exhibit halls to discover the latest industry products, trends, and tools that are relevant in the modern music classroom, over 30 professional development sessions were offered at The 2022 NAMM Show. Sessions hosted by national education leaders hosted sessions and workshops focused on the continued expansion of technology in the classroom, best practices and new instrument options, practical applications of SEL concepts, and emerging trends, among others. One MED presenter shared, “What a fantastic conference! It is so important to align MED Sessions to the show so that all educators begin to see the connections!
Annamarie Bollino of Stafford County Public Schools presented at “Building a Nationally-Recognized Music Program: It’s All About Collaborative Structures” as part of the sessions panel. Of the importance of educators attending The NAMM Show she said, “The NAMM Show provides administrators and educators a unique opportunity to learn from and network with industry partners, music merchants, and of course, other educators. Celebrating the magic that is music and music education, while also learning in a first-class environment, is part of The NAMM Show’s charm and is an important reason why I will keep going back.”
Non-Profit Management Institute:
Global non-profits gather annually at The NAMM Show to absorb resources to grow and succeed. Presented in collaboration with Young Audiences | Arts for Learning, partners, music and arts education nonprofits, and NAMM Foundation grantee organizations who complete the Nonprofit Management Institute are presented with a certificate after the show concludes to recognize their achievements. Highlights from the sessions in June include “An Agile Nonprofit is a Successful Nonprofit,” “Beyond Good Intentions: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Programming, Operations, and Governance,” and “Unlocking Innovation to Up Your Nonprofit’s Game,” and more.
CEO for The Lewis Prize for Music Dalouge Smith said, "The NAMM Show is such an important convergence of champions for music learning from across the world. It includes session and relationship-building opportunities and access to amazing musical products and instruments produced globally in an environment of nonstop musical performances. Being there is an immersive experience in the interconnectedness of the commercial, educational, and nonprofit music worlds."
President’s Innovation Award (PIA):
The President’s Innovation Award supports individuals enrolled in college and university music or music business programs who are preparing for a career in the music products industry. Recipients of the PIA have proved their dedication to pursuing a career in music, including the areas of performance, music education, media, sound engineering/audio, event technology, production, administration, management, and/or marketing, along with product creation and innovation.
Aiyanna Riley, a Stephen F. Austin State University student, was one of The 2022 PIA recipients and shared her experience at The NAMM Show. She said, “The NAMM Show is an experience like no other. For students who attend via PIA, it gives you a sense of independence and allows you to make connections with others in the industry. My biggest takeaway from the show was the networking. I met so many artists, engineers, producers, and many other professionals who were able to give me insight into the industry and provide advice on my next steps.”
Morgan Argenbright, a student from Colorado was able to attend The NAMM Show via the PIA. While he shared that the application process can be daunting at first, “I’m so, so glad I saw it through and have so much gratitude for everyone who contributed to me receiving it [PIA].” The biggest benefit of attending The NAMM Show for Argenbright was gaining a new network of contacts. He said, “Not to understate how amazing everything was and how much fun I had at The NAMM Show, but I’m at the beginning of a career, so meeting people was the most important part of my experience.”
For more information on The 2023 NAMM Show, please visit