Music education advocate and NAMM Board Member, Kimberly Deverell, has been an instructor at San Diego Music Studio since 1997, serving as the studio's general manager. Deverell contributes her time and expertise by speaking at music industry educational sessions and being actively involved with NAMM.
She has participated in the NAMM Music Education Advocacy D.C. Fly-In for the past three years, where she advocated for music education and arts.
“Advocacy is a long haul. It takes time,” said Deverell. “My advice [to fellow] NAMM member advocates is to be persistent and trust in the process. Efforts may feel small but continued over time you can (and will) make a difference!”
Last June at Summer NAMM, Deverell attended SupportMusic’s Coalition on Coalitions, a meeting of like-minds that discussed best practices for local and state music education advocacy. She came back to California feeling inspired, informed and motivated to spread the word about the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grant.
“I immediately reached out to all my educators to share the news of the federal grant money that was available to them. I met with the local VAPA director for my district, attended advocacy meetings, and told anybody who would listen!” shared Deverell. “It is so important that districts are aware of and know how to access this funding. If the money is not used, we are going to lose it.”
She credits NAMM for the information they provide, including resources from the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Department of Education (DOE), the California Alliance for the Arts (CAAE), and The NAMM Foundation’s, ‘How to Access Title IV Funds.’
Deverell sees the benefits of applying for both federal grant money and a Best Communities for Music Education [BCME] designation, a national music education recognition program offered by The NAMM Foundation.
“The SSAE Grant is federal money that is available to all school districts with the purpose of enhancing music and arts and creating a well rounded education for every student. Applying for the BCME designation and the SSAE Grant is a no brainer,” said Deverell. “Receiving a Best Communities for Music Education designation is powerful. It can literally save a music program; I witnessed it within my own school district last year.”
Deverell is a wife and mother of two children and a graduate of San Diego State University where she received Magna Cum Laude with Distinction in her major of music education.