Franklin Willis
1 title in catalog
For more than fourteen years, educator and leader Franklin Willis has served the students and families of Nashville. Through music, he has educated, mentored, and developed young minds to be forward-thinking contributors to society. A servant leader specializing in culturally relevant teaching, empowering student voices, and developing teachers to reach their full potential, Willis finds true joy in serving others.
A three-time CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence, Willis is a trailblazer and catalyst for change in the field of music education, as well as a rising leader within the broader music industry. In his current role as Community Impact Director at the CMA Foundation, he paves the way for students to experience equitable access to opportunities in the music industry beyond the classroom.
As the former elementary music instructional coach for Metro Nashville Public Schools, Willis focused on equipping teachers with resources and professional support to strengthen their practice. He guided colleagues through the realities students face surrounding equity, inclusion, and racism, while advocating for music education as a tool to teach cultural awareness, build community, and inspire a love for learning.
Willis believes every child has musical potential and deserves a teacher who will see the best in them. He has consistently used his network to create opportunities for students, producing music videos and organizing large-scale performances such as those at CMA Fest, Nashville’s four-day music festival.
An author and presenter, Willis has created and facilitated professional development sessions for teachers of all grade levels, sharing his innovative and culturally responsive teaching practices. He collaborates with colleagues, community organizations, local businesses, colleges, and universities to advocate for music education and design curriculum that engages and inspires students. His dedication to equity and innovation has earned him national recognition as a leader in the field.
Willis is also a children’s book author. He graduated from the University of Memphis in 2009 with a Bachelor of Music Education (Choral Music emphasis), earned a Master of Education in Nonprofit Leadership from Belmont University in 2012, and most recently completed an Education Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Technological University.
