MakeMusic, Inc.

Angela Ammerman, referred to by the Washington Post as a “music teacher prodigy,” earned degrees in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati: College-Conservatory of Music, Boston University, and her Ph.D. from George Mason University. Dr. Ammerman has dedicated much of her musical career to providing access to quality music education for underserved populations of children including the beginnings of a strings program at a children’s home in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Dr. Ammerman is in high demand as a clinician and guest conductor and recently conducted the Utah All State Junior High Orchestra, the California All State Junior High Orchestra, Georgia All State Middle School Orchestra, and the Tennessee All State String Orchestra in 2023. Ammerman completed her first book in 2022: The Music Teacher’s Guide to Engaging English Language Learners published by GIA Music, followed by The Music Teacher’s Guide to Recruitment and Retention in 2023. Ammerman hopes to provide greatly needed resources for music educators and is currently writing the third book on Classroom Management. Known for a passion for recruiting future music educators, Ammerman has given countless presentations, in-services, and webinars to encourage classroom teachers to recruit for the profession and facilitates the National Association for Music Education’s Building a Legacy series. Ammerman was hired as the Director of Music Education at the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2017 where she built a thriving music education program and was honored as the university’s Outstanding Advisor of the Year. Recognized by Fairfax County Public Schools as the Top Teacher in 2017 and the Virginia House of Delegates in 2016, Angela diligently works to pass along these teaching and mentorship qualities to her Music Education students. In 2016, Dr. Ammerman was named the Virginia Orchestra Director of the Year, a finalist for the Fairfax County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year, and Washington Post Teacher of the Year. Ammerman grew up listening to her mother teach piano lessons in her own home and attributes much of her own passion for teaching to her musical mother and her work ethic to her dad. Currently living in Virginia with her incredibly supportive husband: Dr. David Allen Ammerman and child: David Michael, Ammerman works at George Mason University where she supervises student teachers and teaches String Methods, Lab Orchestra, and Aural Skills. Ammerman is also the President of the Virginia String Teachers Association and is known for an emphasis on play-based learning, humor, a unique style, and for the creation of the first ever Future Music Educators Camp as well as her Music Education Podcast: #MusicEdLove. Dr. Ammerman is in awe of the resilience and dedication of school arts educators across the United States and is honored to have the opportunity to work with them and their students.

Dr. Annamarie Bollino brings a wealth of experience and a passion for arts education with over two decades of dedicated service. Her journey towards leadership in arts education has been marked by innovation, advocacy, and a deep commitment to fostering creativity and empathy in students. Annamarie is currently the Supervisor of the Arts for Prince William County Schools in northern Virginia. As Chair of the National Association for Music Education Music Program Leaders Council and Immediate Past President of the Virginia Music Educators Association, Dr. Bollino is at the forefront of shaping policies and initiatives that advance arts education on a national and state level. Through her work leading the Commonwealth's efforts to bring arts education data to stakeholders through the Arts Education Data Project, Annamarie has collaborated on a groundbreaking report highlighting how arts education participation in high school combats chronic absenteeism. Her upcoming role as President-Elect of the Southern Division of NAfME underscores her influence and dedication to the field. A proud graduate of West Virginia University, George Mason University, and Virginia Commonwealth University, Annamarie is a fierce advocate for arts education and frequently presents content sessions and research at state, national, and international conferences.