I am a creator of collaborative teams that engage in open dialogue and shared leadership.
I believe that bringing diverse voices to the table creates the best solutions.
Director of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) for San Diego Unified School District
The candidates for 2022–2024 NAfME National President-Elect were announced at the 2021 NAfME National Leadership Assembly, held virtually in June 2021. The two candidates selected by a vote of the National Leadership Assembly delegates are Deborah A. Confredo and Russ Sperling. This video is the Candidate Forum that was held virtually on December 6. Here both candidates respond to six questions submitted by NAfME members.
My Bio
I am the Director of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) for San Diego Unified School District. I am responsible for all components of arts education in California’s second largest school district. Under my leadership, the district’s board of trustees unanimously approved a district Strategic Arts Education Plan in the fall of 2016 and established the VAPA Foundation, supporting the arts in schools in 2017.
President, California Music Educators Association
2012 -2014
President, Western Division
National Association for Music Education
2016- 2018
“The world will be a better place when all our children have a robust arts education. I commit my vision, energy and skill to this end.”
- Russ
“I consider Russell Sperling to be one of our most distinguished music educators nationally and an eminently qualified candidate for the position of president-elect of NAfME. It is my honor to recommend and support him enthusiastically and unequivocally.”
Nancy Ditmer, former NAfME President*
I am anti-racist.
And anti-homophobic, anti-xenophobic. I believe that Black Lives Matter, Trans Lives Matter, and to be more specific, Black Trans Lives Matter. I am an advocate for equity.
Follow my journey.
