John J. Mahlmann, Ed.D., MENC Executive Director

An eloquent spokesman for arts education who has built a reputation throughout the nation as an effective leader in the field, Dr. John J. Mahlmann has had a distinguished career that weaves together the twin strands of art and music into a single distinctive contribution to arts education in America. 

Today, as the executive director of the world's largest arts education organization, MENC: The National Association for Music Education, Dr. Mahlmann's world is largely about music -- and ensuring music in the education of every child in America.

Dr. Mahlmann was born in Washington, D.C. He earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in fine arts from Boston University, and a doctorate in education from Pennsylvania State University. He later served on the faculty of both institutions, as well as Texas Tech, and also taught at Columbia University Teacher's College, Northern Virginia Community College, and The George Washington University. Most recently, Dr. Mahlmann received an honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Duquesne University for his contributions to music and education.

The National Art Education Association in Reston, Virginia, provided Dr. Mahlmann his first opportunity to combine his love of the fine arts with his knowledge of education and his ability as an administrator and manager. From 1970 to 1982, he administered more than a decade of continuous growth for the organization.

Since 1983, Dr. Mahlmann has been executive director of MENC: The National Association for Music Education, the world's largest association of professional music educators. Over the years, he has led MENC through a period of substantial membership growth -- to more than 130,000 members -- and transformed the landscape of music education through innovative programs and vigorous advocacy of music education in our nation's schools. Most recently, he conceived the National Anthem Project: Restoring America's Voice to re-teach Americans the words to our national anthem and to engage Americans in understanding the role music education plays in preserving their nation's cultural and patriotic traditions; MENC received the Summit Award from the American Society of Association Executives--the highest award accorded to associations--for the anthem initiative.

Dr. Mahlmann is chairman of the board of the National Music Council (a group of 50 national music organizations representing every form of professional and commercial music activity), chairs the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations and the National Coalition for Education in the Arts, and serves on the advisory board of the Hartt School in West Hartford, CT; the president's council of NAMM: International Music Products Association in Carlsbad, CA; the advisory board of From the Top in Boston, MA; and the advisory council of the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau in Phoenix, AZ. He also serves on numerous task forces and certification committees, has contributed to panels and roundtables on arts education, and has judged numerous exhibits and contests including the Mrs. America pageant. He has appeared on national television programs such as the Victor Awards and Good Morning America, and was host and executive producer of the television series Tempo which focused on music education. In addition, Dr. Mahlmann speaks frequently and publishes extensively, and has recently been interviewed by Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and CBS News.

In Print

Dr. Mahlmann's articles have appeared in publications such as Symphony, Association Management (American Society of Association Executives), The Journal of Arts Management and Law, National Association of Secondary School Principals Bulletin, National School Boards Association News, Design, The School Administrator (coauthor), Arts Education Policy Review, and College Board News.

Of Personal Interest

• Born in Washington, D.C., Dr. Mahlmann was reared in half a dozen states, from Missouri to Massachusetts.
• Dr. Mahlmann is a practicing fine artist who has developed his artistic abilities through drawings, collages, paintings, sculptures, and silversmithing work. His work has been presented in one-man shows and been included in group shows at Harvard, Boston, Pennsylvania State, Texas Tech, and Purdue universities, among others, and in private galleries from Massachusetts to Texas to Virginia.
• Dr. Mahlmann has a special interest in the culture, history, and art of China. Introduced to Chinese culture through his wife, Ning Ning Chang, Ph.D., who was born in Tientsin, China, he has taken an active role in bridging relations between the U.S. and that country. Dr. Mahlmann has served as the president of the Sino-American Cultural Society. He has hosted an exhibit of artwork from the Republic of China, and has spoken to international groups such as the Asian Pacific Association Conference on Arts Education in Taiwan.
• Dr. Mahlmann recently received the Leadership and Service Award from his alma mater, Pennsylvania State University.
• In 2004, Dr. Mahlmann was designated a Lowell Mason Fellow, a distinction awarded to outstanding individuals in music education.