Give A Note Foundation Appoints New CEO And Strategic Development Director

PIctured: Beth Slusher and Juliana Lee

The Give A Note Foundation, which is newly independent after seven years under the direction of the National Association for Music Education, has announced two new leadership appointments.

Music industry executive Beth Slusher has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Slusher previously served as one of GAN’s founding board members (2012) and also worked as Give A Note’s Board Chair & President (2014-2018). An experienced entrepreneur and Owner/CEO of Rivar’s, Inc., an apparel manufacturer for the music performance industry, Slusher brings her knowledge and commitment to growing and strengthening music education opportunities throughout the country.

“We are strategically focused on our mission because music education matters,” says Slusher. “Empowering music educators through financial support for innovative and sustainable music programs creates positive impact for students, schools and communities, and I am truly honored to have the opportunity to lead the GAN organization into this exciting next phase of growth and development.”

As part of the expansion, Juliana Lee has been named Strategic Development Director to further grow the organization and expand its financial reach. With six years’ prior experience growing the national non-profit Notes for Notes, Lee is spearheading communication for GAN with key partners including teachers, corporations, foundations as well as the entertainment and media industries. She will be based in Nashville.

“With limited resources, our teachers connect with and celebrate their students’ unique cultures through the common language of music,” said Lee. “I’m thrilled for this opportunity to help identify, fund and elevate the superb music education innovators at the forefront of this important work.”

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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