Pursue a Leadership Position
🎼 VMA LEADERSHIP PATHWAYS
Choose Your Leadership Journey
(Minimum fundraising requirements + Recommended Initiative Levels)
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For students seeking national impact, high-level leadership, and college-ready achievements
Minimum Fundraising to Run:
National President — $250
National Vice President — $200
All other National Offices & National Chairs — $150
Recommended Leadership Initiative Level:Gold
(Gold: $2,500 fundraising, 2 concerts, full-year workshops)🥇 EXECUTIVE ROLES
National President — $250 minimum
Leads the entire VMA national student government; oversees national strategy, public messaging, and major annual initiatives.
National Vice President — $200 minimum
Supports the President, coordinates committees, and ensures continuity of national programs.
🟦 National Administrative Officers — $150 minimum
National Secretary
Manages national communications, minutes, calendars, and coordination across all states.
National Treasurer
Supports national fundraising strategy and advises students on Give Lively best practices.
🟪 National Publicity, Media & Communications Pathway — $150 minimum
Perfect for students into media, journalism, marketing, or design.
National Publicity Chair
National Social Media Chair
National Graphic Design Lead
National Photography/Videography Lead
National Communications Lead
Roles focus on national visibility, media content, branding, storytelling, and digital communication.
🟧 National Outreach Pathway — $150 minimum
Ideal for music or arts leadership students.
National Outreach Chair
National Venue Research Lead
National Performer/Program Coordinator
National Logistics & Virtual Events Lead
These roles shape national outreach quality and student performance readiness.
🟩 National Philanthropy & Fundraising Pathway — $150 minimum
Great for entrepreneurial, communications, or business-oriented students.
National Fundraising Chair
National Sweet Sounds Coordinator
National Donor Appreciation Lead
National Corporate/Community Outreach Lead
These roles help VMA reach its national revenue goals.
🟫 National Recruitment & Development Pathway — $150 minimum
Ideal for leadership-building and organizational development.
National Recruitment Chair
National Studio & Music School Liaison
Club Development Lead (National)
State Senator Support Coordinator
These students grow VMA’s national footprint.
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For students ready to represent their entire state and guide statewide growth
Minimum Fundraising:
State Senator — $250
State Chairs & Leads — $150
Recommended Leadership Initiative: Silver
(Silver: $1,250 fundraising, 2 concerts, one-semester workshops)🥈 State Executive Roles
State Senator (Senior Seat) — $250 minimum
Leads VMA activity across the state, recruits students, supports club presidents, and connects venues to the mission.
Deputy State Senator — $250 minimum
Supports the State Senator, assists statewide operations, and ensures continuity.
🟦 State Publicity & Communications Pathway — $150 minimum
State Publicity Lead
State Social Media Lead
State Graphic/Design Lead
State Photography/Videography Lead
State Communications Lead
These roles promote statewide visibility and storytelling.
🟧 State Outreach Pathway — $150 minimum
State Outreach Lead
State Venue Coordinator
State Performer/Program Coordinator
State Logistics & Volunteer Lead
Organize statewide concerts and relationships with community partners.
🟩 State Fundraising Pathway — $150 minimum
State Fundraising Lead
State Campaign Coordinator
State Donor Appreciation Lead
State Community/Business Outreach Lead
Strengthen statewide fundraising efforts.
🟫 State Recruitment & Development Pathway — $150 minimum
State Recruitment Lead
Studio & Music School Liaison
Club Development Assistant
Support student growth and new club development.
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Perfect for middle school & early high school students beginning their leadership journey
Minimum Fundraising:
$50 — Club President, Vice President
$25 — All committee and support roles
Recommended Initiative Level:Bronze
(Bronze: $250 fundraising, 2 concerts)🥉 Club Executive Roles
Club President — $50 min
Leads the club, runs meetings, sets agenda, and oversees committees.Club Vice President — $50 min
Supports the president and helps coordinate club communication.Club Secretary — $50 min
Handles notes, reminders, and attendance.Club Treasurer — $50 min
Tracks fundraising progress and ensures all donations flow through Give Lively.
🟦 Club Publicity & Media Pathway — $50 minimum
Publicity Chair
Social Media Chair
Graphic Design Lead
Photography/Videography Lead
Newsletter/Communications Lead
Ideal for creative students interested in branding, marketing, or digital media.
🟧 Club Outreach Pathway — $50 minimum
Outreach Chair
Venue & Scheduling Lead
Performer Coordinator
Program & Repertoire Lead
Stage & Logistics Lead
For students focusing on performance, community service, and logistics.
🟩 Club Fundraising Pathway — $50 minimum
Fundraising Chair
Campaign Coordinator
Events & Awareness Lead
Donor Appreciation Lead
Community/Business Outreach Lead
Supports the Sweet Sounds of Service campaign.
🟪 Club Events & Operations Pathway — $50 minimum
Events Chair
Hospitality Lead
Special Projects Lead
Secretary Assistant
Treasurer Assistant
Membership & Attendance Lead
Organizational roles for students who enjoy planning and teamwork.
Eligibility & Fundraising Thresholds
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Positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
Minimum Fundraising Requirement: $50
Term of Service: 1 school year (Sept–June)
Election / Appointment: Nominations: May; Elections: June; Terms begin: September
Notes: Can qualify by raising $50 individually or serving as Team Captain and leading a team to raise $50 collectively.
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Positions: Fundraising, Outreach/Concerts, Membership, Programs, Publicity, etc.
Minimum Fundraising Requirement: $25
Term of Service: 1 school year (Sept–June)
Election / Appointment: Appointed by club officers
Notes: Entry-level leadership. Students help with projects (e.g., concerts, bake sales, publicity).
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Positions: Chair of Fundraising, Chair of Outreach, Chair of Membership, etc.
Minimum Fundraising Requirement: $50
Term of Service: 1 school year (Sept–June)
Election / Appointment: Appointed by Club President/VP or elected within committee
Notes: Matches officer threshold, reflecting higher responsibility and leadership.
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Positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
Minimum Fundraising Requirement:
President: $250; Vice President: $200; Secretary & Treasurer: $150
Term of Service: 1 academic year (July–June)
Election / Appointment: Nominations: May; Elections: June; Term begins: July 1
Notes: President represents all students nationwide; collaborates with VMA Board; Vice President supports President, oversees national committees; Secretary manages national communications; Treasurer manages finances.
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Positions: Fundraising, Outreach, Membership, Programs, Publicity, etc.
Minimum Fundraising Requirement: $100
Term of Service: 1 academic year (July–June)
Election / Appointment: Applications accepted year-round; appointed by national officers/VMA staff
Notes: Lower barrier for broader participation. Work on national campaigns and initiatives.
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Positions: Chair of Fundraising, Chair of Outreach, etc.
Minimum Fundraising Requirement: $150
Term of Service: 1 academic year (July–June)
Election / Appointment: Appointed by President/VP with staff approval
Notes: Threshold matches national secretary/treasurer; reflects higher leadership responsibility.
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Positions: 2 Senators / State
Minimum Fundraising Requirement: $250
Term of Service: 1 academic year (July–June)
Election / Appointment: Applications accepted year-round; appointed by national officers/VMA staff
Notes: Lower barrier for broader participation. Work on national campaigns and initiatives.
With the launch of our Student Government, Junior Program members will have the chance to serve as elected leaders of VMA, guiding outreach and fundraising efforts that will reshape the future of classical music service—empowering kids of all ages to lead with heart and purpose.
Discover what it means for you to give back and play forward.
Student Government (*2027-2028 Elections: May 2026)
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Danny Pylee
PRESIDENT
Massachusetts
Medway High School
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David Tagge
VICE-PRESIDENT
Massachusetts
Boston
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Felix Wang
STATE SENATOR
Massachusetts
Sharon High School
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Ronnie Wang
STATE SENATOR
California
Los Angeles
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Ishaan Kancharla
STATE SENATOR
North Carolina
Raleigh
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Arjun Bhayani
STATE SENATOR
Massachusetts
Milton Academy
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Ruslan Ivanov
DEPUTY STATE SENATOR
Massachusetts
Cushing Academy
A New Approach to Youth Leadership in Classical Music
The VMA Leadership Initiative is a first-of-its-kind pathway where young musicians grow as compassionate leaders through real outreach, year-round workshops, and community fundraising. Students may join at any time and advance at their own pace.
Through service-based awards and a parallel student government track, participants earn recognition not only for their musicianship, but for the impact they create. Families and friends may support a student’s campaign to help meet the small fundraising thresholds required to run for leadership roles, but every officer is elected by peers through a formal, transparent process.
The VMA Foundation, our public-facing philanthropic arm, provides the clear and recognizable platform that powers this work — enabling students to fundraise for their outreach, strengthening community partnerships, and sustaining the programs that help them grow.
Families can also explore our Give Lively Sweet Sounds of Service campaign to support students as they begin their leadership journey.
How to Get Started
Become a Junior Member — free and open to all K–12 students.
Start a Fundraiser — launch your Give Lively page when ready.
Do Outreach — share music with your community through concerts and service projects.
Run for Office — when eligible, declare candidacy and appear on the ballot at the club, state, or national levels.
There is no obligation to fundraise or pursue a medal when joining. Students may simply attend workshops, perform outreach concerts, and grow when they feel ready.
We open the door — and when they choose to rise, the opportunities are waiting.