Current 2026 National Council Candidates
Voting is now open for the VMA National Student Government Elections through June 15. Only current Junior Program members are eligible to vote. One of the goals of the Junior Program is to give students meaningful opportunities to exercise their voice and participate in leadership. Whether you are supporting a nominated candidate or submitting a write-in candidate, your vote helps shape the future of the VMA. We encourage all eligible members to review the candidates, cast their ballot, and take part in this important tradition of student leadership.
Interested in moving the VMA forward in pursuit of our mission to give everyone orchestra seats? Vote today!
VMA 2026 Student Leadership Candidate Profiles
National President
Felix Wang
School: Sharon High School
Location: Sharon, Massachusetts
Grade Level: Rising Senior (Grade 12)
Candidate Statement
"Hello! My name is Felix, and I am running for VMA Student National President. I have been a part of the VMA Student Leadership Initiative for the past two years, serving this year as Massachusetts State Senator and Fundraising Chair. In these roles, I advocated for the VMA to Massachusetts congressional representatives, organized numerous outreach concerts in local senior living communities, and helped raise more than $2,700 through online and in-person donations.
As National President, I hope to create a coordinated national concert initiative that brings students together across the country in support of the VMA's mission. By expanding outreach opportunities and collaborative fundraising efforts, I hope to share the impact of service through music with as many communities as possible and help create a lasting impact."
Outreach & Leadership Involvement
• Served as Massachusetts State Senator
• Served as VMA Fundraising Chair
• Organized numerous outreach concerts at CareOne Senior Living Center
• Performed at the VMA Winter Concert at Maplewood in Weston
• Raised more than $2,700 through online and in-person donations
Have you met the fundraising threshold for the position? ($250)
Yes
Candidate:
“I advocated for the VMA to Massachusetts congressional representatives, organized numerous outreach concerts in local senior living communities, and helped raise more than $2,700 through online and in-person donations.”
— Felix Wang
National Vice President, Outreach & Impact Chair
Arjun Bhayani
School: Milton Academy
Location: Milton, Massachusetts
Grade Level: Rising Senior (Grade 12)
Candidate Statement
“I have enjoyed serving as Massachusetts State Senator and connecting with student musicians and serving with them in bringing music to assisted living facilities. I also enjoyed reaching out to other student led organizations that bring music to the community and trying to create spaces for collaboration.
As National Vice President, I’d focus on strengthening the ties between our various chapters nationally and encourage music students to start chapters in their school/neighborhood. I would like to work on expanding out outreach communities where live music would bring cheer - pediatric wards, assisted living, homeless shelters. With VMA, I also want to try out some new ways to use our music for fundraising - organize masterclasses with neighborhood children in VMA member homes or school venues, and perhaps branch out to online lessons.
My experience with Milton Salon Concerts gives me the know-how to reach out, spread the authentic message of doing good with music and organizing events - venues, gathering performers and volunteers and advertising the event to fundraise. I want to bring that vision to VMA.”
Outreach & Leadership Involvement
Served as Massachusetts State Senator for one year
Participated in one concert at Maplewood Assisted Living Home
Reached out to DoReMi regarding collaboration opportunities
Have you met the fundraising threshold for the position? ($200)
I am currently working toward it.
Candidate:
“As National Vice President, I’d focus on strengthening the ties between our various chapters nationally and encourage music students to start chapters in their school/neighborhood.”
— Arjun Bhayani
National Treasurer, Fundraising & Promotion Chair
Ishaan Kancharla
School: Research Triangle High School
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Grade Level: Rising Sophomore (Grade 10)
Candidate Statement
“Greetings, VMA! My name is Ishaan Kancharla, and I currently serve as the North Carolina State Senator of VMA. I am applying to serve as your National Secretary, and combined with my experience in executive leadership and passion for the future of this organization, I truly believe I am the best candidate for this role. Not only have I served as a Board Member in numerous reputed organizations (VMA, NSSA, FBLA, TEDx, NHSEB, and HumSub), but I’ve also played an integral role in the foundation of the activities held by VMA, including our fundraising program, which raised over $11,500, and our club development program, which is focused on recruiting more students across the nation to take up leadership roles and spread the love of music with our defined plan of action. Apart from my leadership experience, I also previously served as the 1st Chair Flutist in the NCBA All-State Band, and I love to perform in senior care facilities whenever possible. My experience and passion for our community and music inside and outside of VMA are exactly what I’m bringing to the table as a candidate for this role, so I urge you to vote for me to make a change for you!”
Outreach & Leadership Involvement
“I have played an important role in the foundation of this organization, having planned the fundraising program, performed in North Carolina’s senior care facilities while expanding this organization’s reach to NC, and worked on the development of new chapters to expand VMA’s presence across the country.”
Have you met the fundraising threshold for the position? ($150)
I am currently working toward it.
Candidate:
Apart from my leadership experience, I also previously served as the 1st Chair Flutist in the NCBA All-State Band, and I love to perform in senior care facilities whenever possible.
— Ishaan Kancharla
National Secretary, Growth & Recruitment Chair
Ruslan Ivanov
School: Cushing Academy
Location: Ashburnham, Massachusetts
Grade Level: Rising Sophomore (Grade 10)
Candidate Statement
“I am running for National Recruitment Chair because I want to help VMA grow in a way that is organized, welcoming, and sustainable. At Cushing Academy, I took the initiative to help establish a VMA club, work through the school approval process, and begin building a team of student musicians committed to outreach and service. In this role, I would help chapters grow by sharing effective recruitment ideas, supporting new club leaders, and connecting students across schools so more young musicians can serve their communities through VMA.”
Outreach & Leadership Involvement
Candidate indicated no prior VMA outreach concert or service activity participation.
Have you met the fundraising threshold for the position? ($150)
Yes.
Candidate:
“I am running for National Recruitment Chair because I want to help VMA grow in a way that is organized, welcoming, and sustainable.”
— Ruslan Ivanov
National Fundraising Chair
Albert Zhou
School: Concord Academy
Location: Concord, Massachusetts
Grade Level: Rising Senior (Grade 12)
Candidate Statement
"To use music as a bridge between compassion and action, and to help VMA grow its national impact through meaningful, student-led fundraising.
I am running for National Fundraising Chair because I believe VMA has the power to turn musical talent into real service. Through our current Sweet Sounds of Service campaign, I am helping organize a collaboration with Street Symphony to support communities around Skid Row and The Midnight Mission, with a fundraising goal of $5,000. This experience has taught me how to build partnerships, motivate a team, and connect donors to a meaningful mission.
As Chair, I hope to expand VMA's fundraising network, support local chapters with practical outreach strategies, and help every performance become not only music, but a true act of service."
Outreach & Leadership Involvement
• Cofounder of JVMA
• Participated in outreach performances at a senior living community in Weston
• Helping organize the Sweet Sounds of Service campaign in collaboration with Street Symphony
• Supporting fundraising efforts benefiting communities served by The Midnight Mission
Have you met the fundraising threshold for the position? ($5,000)
I am currently working toward it.
Through our current Sweet Sounds of Service campaign, I am helping organize a collaboration with Street Symphony to support communities around Skid Row and The Midnight Mission, with a fundraising goal of $5,000.
— Albert Zhou
