ISMEPeople and Partners
ISME is led by a global network of Presidents, Board members, Commissioners, Standing Committees, and other member-led bodies who volunteer their time, expertise, and vision to the Society. These leadership roles shape our strategic direction, foster international collaboration, and ensure that ISME’s work reflects the needs and perspectives of a diverse membership. Supporting their work is a small administrative team that manages the day-to-day operations of the Society, enabling our volunteers to focus on advancing music education worldwide.
About ISME People and Partners
ISME Board of Directors
The ISME Board of Directors is elected by the membership and represents the diversity, expertise, and global reach of our Society. The Board includes the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, and twelve Members-at-Large. Together, they govern the Society in alignment with ISME’s constitution, bylaws, and strategic plan. The Board supports and promotes ISME’s mission to advance music education worldwide by guiding programs, shaping policy, and fostering partnerships across sectors and regions.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee (ExCom) consists of the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, and two Members-at-Large selected from the Board. This team provides leadership on ISME’s strategic direction, oversees financial and governance matters, and acts as the World Conference Committee in years without a professional conference organizer. The Executive Team plays a key role in ensuring continuity, collaboration, and responsiveness across ISME's global activities.
Member-Led Groups: Commissions, Committees, SIGs and Forums
ISME’s work is advanced through dynamic, member-led networks that bring together specialists, practitioners, researchers, teachers, and students from around the world. Commissions , Standing Committees , Special Interest Groups (SIGs) , and Forums provide collaborative spaces where members share expertise, explore new ideas, and drive innovation in music education. These groups help ensure that ISME remains grounded in global perspectives, responsive to evolving needs, and connected to diverse professional communities across all regions.
Honorary Life Members of ISME
Celebrating Lifelong Dedication to Music Education Worldwide
The Honorary Life Membership is the highest honor conferred by the International Society for Music Education (ISME). It recognizes individuals whose exceptional service, leadership, and impact have significantly advanced the Society’s mission and contributed to the global development of music education.
Partners
The International Society for Music Education (ISME) is driven by a shared commitment to advancing music education worldwide. Partners’ missions align with the mission and vision of ISME; therefore, we seek partnerships that are mutually beneficial. Partnership collaborations enable ISME to support music/teaching/research innovation, strengthen music communities, and amplify the transformative power of music across cultures and generations.
Our Members
ISME members are drawn from around the world and engaged in the broadest defintion of the profession. Members are invited to create a profile in the membership database to enable other members to find them if,for example, they are looking for partners for collaborative research and enables ISME to send targeted communications.
