The WMEA Advocacy Committee is made up of educators, parents, business people, and other community members who believe all children deserve a well-rounded education that includes music and the arts. Thank you for your support of music education – and for helping decision-makers understand that “Music Makes The Difference.”
WMEA Advocacy Committee 2026-27 Leadership Team
The following people are members of the WMEA Advocacy Committee leadership team:
Committee Chairperson
- Marcy Russell – WMEA President-Elect
Steering Committee Members
- Paul Budde – WMEA Music Educator
- Lizzy Cichowski – Community Arts Advocate
- Johnathan Erickson, WMEA Music Educator
- Laurie Fellenz – Executive Director
- Deborah Fristad – WMEA Music Educator
- Ryan Gutsch – WMEA Music Educator
- Will Janssen – WMEA Immediate Past President
- Lauri Knapton – Business Representative
- Noah Liermann – Business Representative
- Brad Lutton – Business Representative
- Stuart Neal – WMEA Music Educator
- Molly Petroff – WMEA Gov’t Relations Chair
- Tristann Rieck – Business Representative
- Joshua Schmidt – WMEA Music Educator
- Brad Schneider – WMEA Past President
- Justin Steger – WMEA Music Educator
- Randal Swiggum – WMEA President
Interested in joining our committee? Contact the WMEA Advocacy Committee Chairperson.
