Indianapolis, Indiana – The University of Indianapolis continues to make waves in the field of music education, with its collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education (cNAfME) recently recognized as a National Chapter of Excellence for Professional Development. The prestigious honor was announced during the cNAfME National Leadership Assembly, marking a significant achievement for the group and cementing UIndy’s place on the national stage for music education leadership.
This distinction places UIndy’s chapter among just nine in the entire country to receive such recognition this year. It also marks the second consecutive year that the chapter has been nationally honored—last year for its service work, and now for its commitment to professional growth and readiness.
The National Chapter of Excellence designation is part of a larger initiative by cNAfME to highlight the best of the best among its collegiate members. Chapters are encouraged to engage in key areas like advocacy, music programming, recruitment, service projects, and of course, professional development. For UIndy, that professional development focus translated into a hands-on learning experience that gave students real-world insight while serving local schools.
A major component of the chapter’s recognition came from its work with the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA). Members of UIndy’s cNAfME received adjudication training directly from ISSMA directors, a unique opportunity that not only equipped them with essential assessment skills but also opened the door to a meaningful community partnership. As a result of the training, the students volunteered as judges for Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), specifically for student performers who couldn’t attend the official ISSMA solo and ensemble contests.
The partnership proved to be a powerful exchange. UIndy students gained real experience evaluating student performances, honing their ability to provide constructive feedback and insight. At the same time, IPS students received a supportive and valuable musical assessment, one that helped them grow as performers even without participating in the traditional contest setting.
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“I could not be more proud of the dedication and effort that have gone into making our chapter at UIndy one of the most outstanding organizations in the country,” said Dr. Laurie Williams, director of music education programs and orchestra at UIndy and faculty advisor for the university’s cNAfME chapter. “This is the second year in a row that our students have been nationally awarded for their excellence. It was an absolute honor to receive the award for service last year and for professional development this year. Having Allyson Horvath be one of two students in the country to earn the Shannon Kelly Kane Award this year was absolutely the highlight of 2025. Our UIndy cNAfME chapter is making a difference in our state and on the national stage.”
The national spotlight didn’t stop with the chapter as a whole. One of its standout members, senior music education student Allyson Horvath, earned not one but two individual honors this year. She was named a recipient of the NAfME Collegiate Professional Achievement Award—an honor reserved for only six students nationwide. The award recognizes individuals who not only show exceptional musicianship but also dedicate time and energy to leadership, service, and professional experiences outside the classroom.
Horvath’s accolades continued when she was named one of only two students in the nation to receive the prestigious Shannon Kelly Kane Award. The award, created in memory of Shannon Kelly Kane and coordinated through NAfME, celebrates a student whose passion for teaching music mirrors Shannon’s own commitment and joy in education. For Horvath, the recognition carried deep personal meaning.
“This award, along with the scholarship I received, tells me that the hard work I put into this profession every day is not wasted,” said Horvath. “I think of these awards as beacons of hope to keep me going when I am feeling down. It is not easy being an educator, and no one ever does it for the money. We do it because we are passionate, and because some teacher before us lit a fire underneath us that we want to keep burning.”
Faculty members at UIndy have long praised the dedication of their music education students, and the latest round of national awards only reinforces that admiration.
“We are very proud of our music education program and the amazing work our students do in and out of the classroom,” said Dr. Rebecca Sorley, chair of the UIndy Music Department. “The collegiate National Association for Music Education chapter is very active with service and professional development activities, which help prepare our students for a successful career as a music educator. 100% of our music education graduates who pursued teaching positions have successfully found jobs in schools.”
That level of success reflects a program deeply committed to preparing future educators—not just in technical skill but in experience, leadership, and community impact. Through programs like cNAfME, UIndy students are getting opportunities that go far beyond the typical classroom or ensemble setting.
In an educational environment that increasingly values real-world application and community involvement, the UIndy cNAfME chapter is proving to be a national model. From adjudicating local student performers to winning some of the highest honors in collegiate music education, its members are turning passion into practice.
And while national awards are a clear sign of success, the students and faculty at UIndy say their biggest reward is knowing they’re making a difference—in the classroom, in their communities, and in the lives of the next generation of music lovers.
