Laurie Nason Fellenz has been the executive director of Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA), Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) and Wisconsin Foundation for School Music (WFSM) since July 2018. In this role, Laurie oversees the operations of three (3) music non-profit organizations at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education, owned and operated by WSMA. She currently serves as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Council of State Executives chair and is serving a two-year term on the NAfME Equity Committee (2022-2024).
Prior to her appointment as executive director at WSMA, WMEA and WFSM, Laurie was Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD)’s Fine Arts Coordinator from September 2010 to June 2018. Laurie also served as an MMSD Instrumental and General Music Educator from 1991-2010 at Cherokee Heights Middle School, Sherman Middle School, and Van Hise Elementary School.
WSMA has been an influential part of Laurie’s life since junior high in Stevens Point, WI. It was through her own opportunities to grow musically, supported by great teachers and experiences with WSMA Solo & Ensemble and State Honors auditions, that working with and on behalf of students through music education became her life’s work. WMEA and the Wisconsin State Music Conference have been invaluable resources throughout her career.
Laurie holds a Bachelor of Instrumental Music degree from UW-Eau Claire (1991) and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University (2008). She currently serves on the board of directors for Madison Youth Arts Center and Madison Youth Choirs.
Laurie is a recipient of the Madison Youth Choirs – Carrel Pray Music Educator of the Year Award (2017), Wisconsin Art Education Association Distinguished Service Award (2013), Hall of Fame Award – Tommy Awards Excellence in Musical Theater Program (2012), MMSD Team Distinguished Service Award (2004), and was recognized as a Top Notch Teacher by WISC-TV (2007). She has previously served on the Kennedy Center Partners in Education Advisory Committee (2014-2017), was a founding board member for the Madison Jazz Consortium (2011), and is also a co-founder of the Madison All-City Honors Band (1995) which continues to this day.
