Deborah Confredo is Professor Emeritus of Music Education at Temple University (Philadelphia, PA), where she founded the TU Night Owls Campus Community Band, and former President of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Confredo created the NAfME Music Teacher Profession Initiative, for which she was lead author of the Blueprint for Strengthening the Music Teacher Profession. She has authored many journal articles focused on the profession as well as numerous instrumental method texts. Tau Beta Sigma, the Illinois Music Educators Association, and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association have honored her for distinguished service. Mansfield University recognized her as a distinguished alumnus. Other awards include: Pennsylvania State University College of Arts and Architecture Distinguished Alumni Award, Florida State University Faculty Citation for Graduate Alumni Award, and Temple University Outstanding Faculty Service Award. Confredo is in demand as a conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and speaker.