Los Angeles, CA – Education Through Music–Los Angeles (ETM-LA) hosted its 16th Annual Principals Leadership Conference on February 4, 2026,
bringing together school principals, educators, district leaders, arts advocates, and community members at The California Endowment for a powerful day of learning and collaboration. The conference focused on Transformative Leadership for Program Growth, Measurable Impact of Music Education, and Strategic Planning for Graduation and Sustainability, equipping leaders with tools to ensure music education remains a non-negotiable, core part of every student’s school experience.
Through guided discussions and interactive sessions, participants explored how to position music as a catalyst for learning while reflecting on their schools’ goals and vision for students and communities. Highlights included Visualize to Manifest Your Music Education Program, which encouraged leaders to envision sustainable program growth, and a hands-on body percussion and beatboxing activity that modeled creative ways to engage students and promote their own creative voice in the classroom. One participant shared, “I loved the energy and passion brought to every component, and the interactive experiences.”
ETM-LA’s mission is to provide quality music education for every child through standards-based curricula taught by qualified music educators. By investing in dynamic professional development for principals and district leaders, ETM-LA continues to strengthen school communities and empower educators to champion music as a core subject, ensuring more students across Los Angeles experience the academic, social-emotional, and lifelong benefits of music education.
The 16th Annual Principals Leadership Conference included sessions centered on exploring topics such as: Building an Ensemble Program, Partners & Pathways for Sustainability, Sustainability & Prop 28, Navigating Challenges & Strategic Development, Assessing Music Teacher Pedagogy, Engaging the Wider Community in Advocacy, & more.
ETM-LA recognizes the essential part that professional development and resources for School & District leaders plays in the future of music education. When community members LEARN, LEAD, GROW, and SUSTAIN high-quality music programs together, students will thrive.
Contact: Katie Moskovciak
Phone: 818-736-9248
Email: press@etmla.org
Website: www.etmla.org
Education Through Music-Los Angeles is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide and promote music in under-resourced schools as part of the core curriculum for every child in order to enhance students’ academic achievement, creativity, and overall development.
For more information: www.etmla.org