Mariah Barnett, NEKMEA District President
Greetings from Northeast Kansas! It has been a wonderful season for NEKMEA, and we are excited to share highlights from our fall events and celebrations across the district.
Fall Dinner Meeting
On September 8, 2025, NEKMEA held its annual business dinner and meeting. We were delighted to welcome a strong group of new educators to the district and had the opportunity to introduce them to current NEKMEA leadership during the new teacher meeting.
Following this welcome, members gathered for dinner and a productive business session addressing state and district updates, policy changes, and information from summer board meetings. Directors then participated in content-area breakout sessions to discuss upcoming events and district needs.
Thank you to all chairpersons for leading these thoughtful discussions, and to the fine arts directors and administrators at Lawrence High School for generously hosting our meeting.
District Live Auditions
On Saturday, November 7, 2025, NEKMEA hosted live district auditions at Eudora Middle School and Eudora High School. We were pleased to see steady—and in some areas increased—participation across all content areas.
Registration Numbers
- Band: 398 students
- Choir: 455 students
- Orchestra: 192 students
Special thanks to the fine arts staff and administrators at Eudora Middle and High Schools for their hospitality. Congratulations to all participating students and directors for their dedication and hard work in preparing for the NEKMEA District Honor Ensembles.
NEKMEA Mini-Convention
The NEKMEA Mini-Convention was held on December 6, 2025. Students worked with outstanding clinicians throughout the day to prepare for performances the following afternoon. Congratulations to all ensembles on their exceptional concerts.
We were also honored to welcome Southwestern Division Immediate Past President Martha Gabel, who addressed director meetings and shared important updates and upcoming initiatives for KMEA.
Ensembles and Clinicians
High School Concert Band – 251 musicians (three ensembles)
- 1234A Band: Kyle Hopkins, Director of Bands, McPherson College
- 1–6A Band: Frank Perez, Director of Instrumental Music, Gloria Willis Middle School (KCK)
- 56A Band: Paul Popiel, Dean of the School of Music, University of Kansas
High School Jazz Band – 18 musicians
- Brett Jackson, Kansas City Kansas Community College
Middle School Concert Band – 211 musicians (two ensembles)
- 7th Grade Band: Johannah Cox, Director, New Horizons Band (Lawrence, KS)
- 8th Grade Band: Emily Rossin, Professor of Music Education, University of Kansas
High School Choir – 182 musicians
- Christine Jarquio, Co-founder and Artistic Director, Vox Nova
Middle Level Choir – 178 musicians
- Ryan Main, Professor of Choral Arranging, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Elementary Choir – 158 musicians
- Kate Stoltenberg, Lawrence Children’s Choir
High School Orchestra – 100 musicians
- Creston Herron, Director of Orchestras, University of Kansas
Middle Level Orchestra – 93 musicians
- Mark Laycock, Director of Orchestras, Wichita State University
Elementary Da Capo Orchestra – 90 musicians
- Panya Amphone, Orchestra and Mariachi Teacher, Wichita Public Schools
Sincere thanks to the fine arts directors and administrators at Topeka Seaman High School, Washburn Rural High School, and Topeka High School for hosting our mini-convention.
Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the following students selected as NEKMEA scholarship recipients. Each student received a $500 scholarship and plans to pursue a major in music education at a Kansas institution. Students were recognized during their respective mini-convention concerts.
- 1234A Band: Charlesey Coffin, McLouth High School
- 56A Band: Savier West, Leavenworth Senior High School
- Choir: Rodger Mayhew, Lawrence High School
- Orchestra: Lillian Hethcoat, Lawrence Free State High School
Outstanding NEKMEA Educators
The following educators were recognized at the mini-convention for their outstanding contributions to music education in Northeast Kansas. Congratulations to these well-deserving and inspiring leaders.
- Outstanding Administrator: Ed West, Tecumseh–Shawnee Heights High School
- Outstanding High School Band Director: Jennifer Antonetti, Topeka High School
- Outstanding Middle Level Band Director: Collin Watgen, Billy Mills Middle School
- Outstanding Young Band Director: Preston Thomas, Bonner Springs High School
- Outstanding High School Choir Director: Ashley Greenlee, Bonner Springs High School
Outstanding Middle School Choir Director: Sydney Williams, KCK Arrowhead Middle School - Outstanding Young Choir Director: Alyssa Wendel, Holton High School
- Outstanding High School Orchestra Director: Mariah Barnett, Lawrence High School
- Outstanding Middle Level Orchestra Director: Donita McLeland, Washburn Rural Middle School
- Outstanding Elementary Orchestra Director: Anne Neal, KCK Schlagle High School; Eugene Ware, Hazel Grove, and Lindbergh Elementary Schools
- Outstanding Young Orchestra Director: Kiana Jackson, Topeka West High School
Executive Board Updates
We are pleased to welcome James Malsom (Holcomb, KS) as NEKMEA President for the 2026–2027 term. Congratulations as well to Andrew Huff (Topeka West High School) on his election as President-Elect for the 2028–2029 term. We are grateful for their leadership and service to NEKMEA.
Current NEKMEA Board
- President: Mariah Barnett
- President-Elect: Jayme Malsom
- Vice President: Becky Thomas
- Executive Director: Mike Jones
- 1234A HS Band Chair: Steven Rathert
- 56A HS Band Chair: Sarah Grose
- HS Choir Chair: Rachel Naughtin
- HS Jazz Band Chair: Ryan Zazmaier
- ML Band Chair: Collin Watgen
- ML Choir Chair: Zachary Shoemaker
- ML Orchestra Chair: Whitney Maxwell
- Elementary Choir Chair: Peter Gipson
- Elementary Orchestra Chair: Daniel McCready
