Hillsborough County Public Schools -

For Immediate Release

Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti

Hillsborough County Public Schools

Office of Communications

813-272-4060

Tampa, Fl. (May 13, 2025) – Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) has been honored with the prestigious Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. This recognition highlights HCPS’s unwavering commitment to ensuring music education remains an integral part of student learning and development. Hillsborough is proud to be one of only five school districts in Florida to receive this honor.

Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education distinction is awarded to school districts that demonstrate exceptional dedication to providing comprehensive and accessible music education for all students.

To earn this designation, HCPS underwent a rigorous evaluation, answering in-depth questions about its funding, graduation requirements, student participation in music programs, instructional time, facilities, and community engagement in music education.

“Music fosters creativity, discipline, and collaboration—skills that extend far beyond the classroom,” said Van Ayres, Superintendent of HCPS. “We are honored to receive this national recognition, which reflects the dedication of our educators, students, families, and community partners who champion the arts as a fundamental part of a well-rounded education.”

For more information about music education programs at HCPS, visit 

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To learn more about the NAMM Foundation, visit 

**For Media: link to footage of music in our schools>>