At the 2011 NAfME Northwest Division Conference in Bellevue, a special pre-conference Advocacy Workshop was held. Several outstanding presenters covered critical topics that helped the teachers, parents and community members attending understand the importance of proactive advocacy and the impact it can have on music education. Click the presenter's name to see the video of his/her presentation. (Our apologies for the low quality video, we are working to address this.)

Gerard Schwarz, Seattle Symphony, Welcome and Introductions, Pinchas Zukerman, Ottawa Orchestra, Keynote Address

Michael Butera, MENC Executive Director, MENC and National Advocacy

Peter Boonshaft, Hofstra University, How to Build Support for Arts on an On-Going Basis

Mary Langholz, WSAA Executive Director, Working to Prevent Disproportionate Cuts to Arts Education

Scott Shuler, MENC President, How to Gather Facts and Use Information to Build A Case

Mike Blakeslee, MENC COO, How to Form a Local Coalition Within a School and/or District

Alan Spiccati, Highline School District, How to Educate Decision Makers