Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN – Mackenzie Kelly is the fourth straight Austin Peay State University student to be picked to represent Tennessee at the annual National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Collegiate Advocacy Summit starting today in Washington, D.C.
She and students from across the country are gathering to advocate for music education, specifically the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, both important to music education.
Kelly, who is pursuing an instrumental music education major, will attend seminars on leadership and political advocacy on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the highlight will come on Thursday, when students interact with government officials during Hill Day.
“I am excited to have a chance to collaborate with peers from around the country who have the same goals as I do,” Kelly said. “I’m also looking forward to gaining more leadership experience and ideas that I will be able to use as a leader at Austin Peay as well as a future teacher.”
Kelly plays the saxophone and just finished what she calls her “power year” at Austin Peay. She was president of the Governors Own Marching Band, president of APSU’s NAfME chapter and recording secretary of Sigma Alpha Iota. She performs with the University’s wind ensemble, symphonic band, saxophone ensemble and jazz band.
