Great music education doesn’t stop at the podium, it requires vision, strategy, and bold leadership. That’s where the Charles H. Benner Leadership Academy comes in. As OMEA’s leadership initiative, the academy empowers current and rising music educators across Ohio to step up, refine their skills, and help shape the future of our profession.
Originally launched by Da Capo, OMEA’s Past Presidents’ group, the program was later named to honor one of Ohio’s great leaders in music education: Charles H. Benner. Born in Fort Recovery, Ohio, Benner began his career as a public school instrumental teacher before serving as OMEA President (1958–1960) and later MENC National President (1974–1976), making him one of the few leaders to head both state and national organizations. Benner championed the concept of “multidimensional educators”—professionals capable of adapting to shifting social and instructional landscapes beyond the classroom—a vision that serves as the academy’s guiding mission today.
This year’s academy featured keynote speaker Fran Kick, an author, educational consultant, and former music educator who led participants through interactive scenarios designed to spark connection and inspire leadership.
A highlight of the event was Kick’s, Napkinology™, exercise, where attendees jotted down quick, honest ideas to help inform OMEA’s upcoming strategic planning process. In a single sitting, participants generated 69 distinct ideas and 11 open reflections across key areas facing music education today:
- Mentorship & Preparation: Building a stronger leadership pipeline, improving onboarding, and expanding ongoing professional development.
- Technology: Modernizing OMEA’s website, improving social media outreach, and navigating AI in the classroom.
- Equity & Access: Expanding outreach to adaptive programs, career-tech centers, and underserved school communities.
- Adjudicated Events: Improving fairness, flexibility, and representation in judging and contest formats.
- Communication & Leadership: Pushing for greater transparency, active listening across demographics, and closer inter-district collaboration.
- Advocacy: Gathering broader input on how OMEA can support music programs across every region of Ohio.
By pairing Charles Benner’s timeless vision with the practical insights shared by our attendees, this year’s academy showed just how invested Ohio’s music educators are in moving the profession forward. As OMEA prepares for the upcoming school year, the feedback gathered here will help guide our next steps, ensuring our collective work continues to support music teachers and their students across the state.
Congratulations to our 2026 Charles Benner Leadership Academy Participants:
Holly Bates, Princeton City Schools
Austin Blair, Conneaut Area City Schools
Kayla Brent, Lake Local Schools
Daniel Brinker, Vandalia-Butler City Schools
Nathan Fere, Alliance City Schools
Katey Hale, Wellston City Schools
Bradley Krak, Norwayne Local Schools
Rachel Krueger, Montpelier Exempted Village Schools
Truman Littler, Elida Local Schools
Megan Maierle, Lancaster City Schools
Reuben Miller, Trimble Local Schools
Ashley Nelling, Buckeye Local Schools
David Swiggett, Adena Local Schools
Paul Vickous, Wyoming City Schools
Julia Viger, Upper Sciota Valley Local Schools
Benjamin Wykoff, Jackson Local Schools
Nicholas Young, Pickerington Local Schools
Interested in learning more about leadership or getting involved? Check out our leadership interest form in the OMEA member’s portal.
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