PRE-CONFERENCE - Your Platform

- Now what? - You have a great product and you are connected in your school and community. How do you become an informed advocate for what we do as music educators? - The word “Advocacy” just seems scary and the responsibility of someone else. Why should I even be concerned?

Emily Lopez 

Orange County Public Schools
Program Specialist - K-5 Music

Emily is the Program Specialist, K-5 Elementary Music, for Orange County
Public Schools in Florida. She graduated in 2016 from Indiana University's (IU) Jacobs School of Music with a degree in Music Education focusing in Instrumental-Band and Elementary General Music and is also a 2018 graduate of the University of Florida with a Graduate Certificate in Teacher Leadership. Emily keeps a busy schedule as an educator and clinician across the state of Florida and the US. In 2019, she was named a Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) Emerging Leader. She has also presented sessions and research at the FMEA Professional Development Conference, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, the Indiana Music Educators Association, OCPS Professional Development Series, Seminole County Public Schools, Public Schools Florida International University, Stetson University, University of Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of North Florida, and Indiana University.

Dr. Marcus Scott 

Augusta Raa Middle School, Leon County Schools
Secondary Principal

Dr. Marcus Scott is the Principal at Augusta Raa Middle School in Leon County Schools. He is a passionate music educator, leader, and lifelong advocate for arts education. Dr. Scott discovered his love for music at an early age, actively performing in concert and marching bands throughout middle and high school, then earning his Bachelor of Science in Music Education in 2003 from Florida A&M University, where he was a proud member of the world-renowned Marching 100. He began his professional journey as Band Director at Nims Middle School in Tallahassee, before then transitioning to school administration and earning his Doctor of Education in Higher Education degree from Maryville University in 2022. He ensures that music and arts education are not considered electives of convenience but essential pillars of student development. Under his administration, fine arts educators are supported, programs are funded, and student performances are celebrated as integral to the school’s culture.