Today, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) announced that country music superstar and best-selling author Trisha Yearwood will join Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association (CMA), for a special session on the importance of music education at NSBA’s Advocacy Institute on June 8.

“In recent years, educators have shifted from an emphasis on STEM to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math),” said Anna Maria Chávez, Executive Director and CEO of NSBA. “During the pandemic, however, many students missed out on subjects like art and music that aren’t easily taught in remote learning environments. Trisha Yearwood is not only an extremely successful author and musician, she is also a powerful advocate for keeping the arts in education and ensuring that all students are exposed to music early in their school careers.”

Trisha Yearwood has sold over 15 million records worldwide and is the winner of multiple Grammy Awards, as well as awards from the Academy of Country Music and the CMA. She’s also a New York Times best-selling author and Daytime Emmy Award winner for her culinary talents.

“My mom was a third-grade teacher so I’ve always understood the importance of a good education,” said Trisha Yearwood. “She and my dad also encouraged me to participate in talent shows and music events held by my school, church, and community. It was that early exposure to music, along with support from my parents and friends, that made me into who I am. I’m an advocate for music education today because I want every child in our country to have the same opportunities I did.”

“The CMA Foundation was birthed from the passion our artists and industry professionals felt when they first fell in love with music within the four walls of a classroom,” said Sarah Trahern. “Working with artists like Trisha and incredible partners like NSBA, the CMA Foundation works to ensure that music is a part of every student’s education. For us, it’s not just about lifting up the next generation of musicians, but leveraging the impact that music has on students’ lives.”

NSBA’s Advocacy Institute is an annual event featuring key policy makers and advocates who are working to improve educational outcomes and ensure that every student has access to a quality education. In addition to Trisha Yearwood, this year’s Advocacy Institute will feature U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, U.S. House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott, and U.S. Senators Charles Grassley and Susan Collins.

More information on NSBA’s Advocacy Institute, including a complete list of speakers and registration information, is available via this link.