Conn Selmer Division of Education
Announces New Advisory Board

Fifteen educators, administrators, and advocates will help guide the
Division’s strategy for advancing music education.

Elkhart, Indiana | August 19, 2026

Conn Selmer today announced the formation of a new Advisory Board for its Division of Education (DOE), bringing together leading educators, administrators, and advocates to help shape the company's strategy for supporting and advancing music education.

The Advisory Board will serve a two-year term and will be chaired by Conn Selmer Senior Vice President of Education Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser. Since 1997, Lautzenheiser has played a central role in shaping Conn Selmer's commitment to music education, including founding the Conn Selmer Institute (CSI), which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2027.

According to Conn Selmer Chief Education Officer Michael Kamphuis, the Advisory Board will provide insight and counsel on the direction of the Division of Education's programs, advocacy initiatives, and partnerships.

"We are grateful to each of these leaders for answering the call to serve on this important board and help us address the critical work ahead in support of music education,” Kamphuis said. “With Dr. Tim guiding the group, their collective experience and perspective will bring tremendous value to Conn Selmer and to our industry as we build resources that strengthen music education around the world."

The Advisory Board comes together at a pivotal moment for arts education. In statehouses, school districts, and communities across the country, the case for music and the arts is increasingly connected to conversations about workforce readiness, durable skills, student development, and the distinctly human capabilities that remain essential in a rapidly changing world.

A key focus of the Board will be helping Conn Selmer strengthen and adapt the case for music education for the many stakeholders who influence access, funding and participation, from educators and administrators to policymakers, parents and community leaders.

"The question is no longer whether music education matters,” Lautzenheiser said. “The question is whether we can make the case clearly enough, and build the pathways effectively enough, that every child has the opportunity to participate. This group understands how to do both."

Advisory Board Members

Chair — Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser
Senior Vice President of Education and Founder, Conn Selmer Institute

Vice Chair — Michael Kamphuis
Chief Education Officer-Conn Selmer, President-Indiana Arts Education Network, Advisory Board Member-NAMM Support Music Coalition

Dr. Jason Caslor
Associate Professor and Director of Bands, Arizona State University

Cecilia Clark
Director of Bands, Woodland High School, Georgia; President, Servant Leadership Association for Music

Darnella Davidson
Associate Director, Los Angeles Unified School District All District Band

Robert Herrings
Band Director, Artie Henry Middle School, Leander ISD, Texas; Conn Selmer Educational Consultant

Allison Lacasse
Band Director, Belmont High School, Massachusetts; Assistant Professor, Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Trina Tait Martin
Founder, Parents for Arts Education; TEDx Speaker and Advocate

Dr. Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin
Director of Wind Band Studies and Associate Professor of Music, Penn State University

John Pasquale
Clinical Professor of Conducting, Director of Michigan Marching and Athletic Bands, Associate Director of Bands, University of Michigan

Dr. Ted Piechocinski
Director, Music Business Program, Indiana State University

Michael Stone
Visual and Performing Arts Administrator, Bakersfield School District, California

Dr. Kedric Taylor
Director of Bands & Professor of Music, Southern University A&M

Lynn Tuttle
Executive Director and CEO, American String Teachers Association

Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner
Dean, Faculty of Music, Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario

Dr. Alfred L. Watkins
Retired Director of Bands, Lassiter High School, Georgia; Conductor, Cobb Wind Symphony

Taylor Watts
Associate Director of Bands, Kell High School, Georgia; Founder, Taylor Watts Leadership