Southern Border Section Update

Emma Schopler

Southern Border Section President

Welcome from the new CMEA-SBS President

Hello, everyone. My name is Emma Schopler, and I am your new Southern Border Section President. First and foremost, I congratulate my mentor and predecessor, Dr. Jeffrey Malecki. He has led our section for six years, and welcomed me to San Diego with open arms. My first conversation with Dr. Malecki was about creating opportunities for Elementary aged children. We all have that “teacher” who made a difference in our lives and inspired us, correct? Yes! For me, that educator was Dr. Malecki. He believed in me, and because of his encouragement, we were able to give children access to music education festivals. I learned from Dr. Malecki that things are truly great at the bottom of the state. As I reflect upon the school year, I find it imperative to look within and remind myself of our section’s “why?” When we focus on our shared goals and purpose, our ability to persevere and demonstrate resilience grows stronger. Please take a breath with me, inhale…..and exhale. Let us remember that we are here to continue advancing music education by supporting the study and making of music by all. With this in mind, we welcomed the new San Diego Kodály Chapter to our Southern Border and partnered for the Kids Create Music Festival, a collaborative community event supporting music education and advocating for equitable access to music. I would like to share that I am honored and humbled to lead the Southern Border Section of CMEA, and I am delighted to be serving alongside Abbie Gerdes (Treasurer), Aaron Mulder (Secretary), Jonathan Seligman (Instrumental), Michael Sakell (Choral), Dr. Jenny Gee (University), Jeff Bertrand (Industry), Jack Erb (Mentorship), Karen Koner (Communications), Marc Dwyer (Webmaster), and Cameron Brown (Festivals). Please know that the Southern Border Section welcomes all people irrespective of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression, and that it is our intention to ensure inclusivity and access is equitable for all musicians, especially BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ in our community. We are very excited to see and meet our CMEA friends in Sacramento at CASMEC 2024.

CMEA-SBS Collegiate update from Dr. Jennifer Gee

Our collegiate members had a wonderful year. At San Diego State University, the CMEA members joined the seniors in music education at CASMEC, organizing and leading the San Diego State University School of Music and Dance recruitment booth, after receiving funding from an SDSU Student Success Fee proposal.

Students created marketing materials, informational flyers, and other promotional materials to share with attendees, while attending sessions and enjoying the performances. We look forward to another eventful year for the collegiates in the Southern Border Ssection!

CMEA-SBS Choral update from Mike Sakell

In the 2022-2023 school year, the CMEA-SBS was able to plan and execute several choral events which spanned San Diego County. On March 13, 2023, we hosted our first secondary choral festival since COVID. Juan Acosta, Kathleen Hansen, and Jenn Opdahl served as adjudicators for this event held at Poway High School. Eleven different choirs from seven different high schools participated, including Poway HS, Rancho Bernardo HS, Westview HS, Olympian HS, Sweetwater HS, Chula Vista HS, and San Ysidro HS. CMEA-SBS created an intergenerational music event called Kids Create Music Festival which was held on Saturday, May 6, 2023. It was presented by Southwestern College Performing Arts Department in collaboration with CMEA-SBS, San Diego Children’s Choir, San Diego Youth Symphony, San Diego Kodály Association, San Diego Orff-Schulwerk Association, and family volunteers.