NAfME

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) received a 2022 Collegiate Chapter of Excellence award from the national group in the professional development category.

The University of North Georgia chapter of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is the professional organization for future music educators. Membership is open to Bachelor of Music majors with concentrations in music education who will receive professional certification to teach in the public school systems. Membership is also open to Bachelor of Music majors with concentrations in Performance or Musical Arts who may teach in private studios or in other settings.

The NAfME among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century.

NAfME Mission and Goals

Since 1907, NAfME has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. NAfME’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education.

Chapter Leadership

Sharon Tran - President

Sharon Tran is a fourth-year Instrumental Music Education major at the University of North Georgia. Her principal instrument is clarinet, which she studies under the direction of Professor Timothy Fitzgerald. She is a current member of UNG’s Wind Ensemble and is also the student director for UNG’s Pep Band. Sharon first found her love for music in high-school symphonic and marching band where she became a part of the band community. She enjoyed the atmosphere and wants to replicate that feeling of unity in her own students.

Sharon has been an active member of CNAfME, acting as secretary from 2020-2021, and has now taken on the role of president. Because of her love of teaching children, she aspires to teach at the elementary level but also help middle and high school bands. Sharon is very approachable and friendly so if you ever have any questions or would like to just talk, feel free to contact her at any time!

Eric Sullivan - Vice President

Eric Sullivan is a third year Music Education Major with a concentration in clarinet. He has found his experience here to be quite wonderful. The music department has been very welcoming to new faces. Because our classes are small, he has also loved UNG for its individualized nature of the professors. You really feel like you are getting something other schools are not! Eric grew a passion for music in his late years of high school, thanks to the inspiring nature of his band director. With his help, he was able to achieve many of his own musical beats including making it into the University. Eric is incredibly grateful to have been put into the leadership role of CNAfME’s upcoming Vice President and is excited to see how he can help grow the organization as a whole and become, not only a better musician, but a better leader.

Sarah Ann Mallard - Treasurer

Sarah Ann Mallard is currently a junior at UNG, majoring in Choral Music Education. She has been a part of the CNAfME family since 2021 and holds the current position of Treasurer. At an early age, Sarah Ann would sing at church, and she would duet with her Grandaddy as he played his guitar. She first got into choral music when she joined her high school choir. While in the choir, she held the leadership position for her own section and helped oversee other choir sections. Her experience has led her to grow as a person and hold current leadership positions at UNG, such as being the Chorister officer for UNG's Eta Zeta chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. In Sarah Ann's free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as drinking sweet tea, and binging Survivor.

Ian Florence - Secretary

Ian Florence started his musical journey at the age of 12 playing guitar, but quickly found a love for bass playing. He played in several different rock and metal bands throughout his high school years and into his mid-20s. His time in this music scene reached its apex in 2019 when his band Paladin released their debut album "Ascension'' on Prosthetic Records. While publicly focusing on contemporary music, he was also spending his time studying music theory, and classical piano. After the birth of his son, he shifted his focus away from touring and back toward academic life, when he enrolled at the University of North Georgia.

He is a music education major, with a focus in piano. He is a lover of all styles of music and is always looking to discover something new. His adventurous taste in music and his love of music technology had led to a heavy interest and study in performance with synthesizers. He is a fan of board games, classic men's fashion, walks in nature, and professional wrestling. He currently lives in Cumming, Georgia with his wife, son, and cat. He loves to meet new people so make sure to say howdy to him at the next CNAfME meeting!

Dr. Marie Graham - Advisor

Marie Graham is a thirty-year veteran choral music educator at K-college levels at public and private institutions. She is a Kodaly specialist in music education and taught Kodaly Methodology courses for Denise Bacon, founder of the Kodaly movement in America. She held positions as a cantor/conductor of youth and adult choirs in churches in Boston, MA, and Charlotte, NC. Marie Graham has taught applied voice in her home studio for high school students and adults for over nine years. She has directed large-scale musical productions in North Carolina.

She joined the University of North Georgia in the Fall of 2019 and serves as the Coordinator of Music Education. During her tenure, the Music Education program has risen to a level 4 rating for the state of Georgia; the highest rating for Music Educator Preparation Programs. She was a guest clinician at the Georgia Music Educators Conference in Athens, GA, in January 2022 presenting Contra Flow: Culture bearers in community, contra dance, and Appalachian folk music traditions

Dr. Graham currently teaches music pedagogy courses including Elementary General Music Methods, Choral Methods, and Music for The Special Learner. In addition, she teaches the Senior Capstone courses and supervises music education interns with Field Placements, Senior Portfolio projects, and Teaching & Learning Assessments.