NOTE TO EDITORS:  Click here for photo of Laurie Fellenz.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WAUNAKEE, Wis. (July 25, 2018) – Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA), Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) and Wisconsin Foundation for School Music (WFSM) are pleased to announce the employment of Laurie Fellenz as executive director, a position that serves all three non-profit organizations, which share statewide headquarters at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education in Waunakee.

“I’m very proud to serve these incredible organizations, which have such a positive impact on students, who take what they’ve learned through a quality music education and do great things in all walks of life,” said Fellenz.

Fellenz, who began her appointment on July 1, leads an integral team of staff and volunteers for all three organizations, which have separate, but related missions and a shared vision of keeping music strong in the lives of our youth as part of a well-rounded education.

Prior to her appointment as executive director at WSMA, WMEA and WFSM, Fellenz served the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) as fine arts coordinator from September 2010 to June 2018. She was also an instrumental and general music educator in MMSD from 1991-2010 at Cherokee Heights Middle School, Sherman Middle School and Van Hise Elementary School.

Fellenz 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 is recipient of the Madison Youth Choirs – Carrel Pray Music Educator of the Year Award (2017), Wisconsin Arts Education Association Distinguished Service Award (2013), Overture Center Hall of Fame Award – Jerry (formerly 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).

Learn more about WSMA, WMEA and WFSM below and by visiting the organizations’ respective websites: wsmamusic.org, wmeamusic.org and foundation4schoolmusic.org.

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Founded in 1932, Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) is a non-profit service organization with more than 1,000 member public and private schools. Students from member schools are eligible to participate in WSMA programs, such as District and State Music Festivals, Concert Festivals, State Honors Music Project, State Marching Band Championships and Student Composition Project. WSMA is governed by a board of directors made up of superintendents, principals and other officers from all over the state. WSMA believes music is a basic human need and that all children have the right to experience all that music offers them.

Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) is a membership association of music educators, school administrators and others interested in seeing the youth in Wisconsin receive a well-rounded education that includes a comprehensive music program taught by certified music teachers. WMEA is the state affiliate of National Association for Music Education.

Wisconsin Foundation for School Music (WFSM) supports involvement of youth in music education experiences, primarily through the programs and services of WSMA. The foundation provides a means for individuals and corporations to invest in the lives of young musicians and has a direct impact on their efforts to achieve excellence through music.