Franklin Willis

Franklin Willis is a dedicated music educator, author, and clinician with over 15 years of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and arts administrator. He is passionate about using the arts to support academic achievement and works to create inclusive environments where every student’s unique talents are valued and nurtured. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his efforts to build meaningful learning experiences through music.

In his previous role as Community Impact Director for the CMA Foundation, Franklin helped advance music education initiatives both locally in Nashville and nationally. He now serves as Fine Arts Director for Metro Nashville Public Schools, where he was recently honored with an Emmy Award by the Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards for producing the documentary Every Student Known: The Creation of an Anthem. In addition, he is an adjunct professor at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, where he teaches future music teachers.

Through his consulting business, F. Willis Music, Franklin creates relevant and engaging resources that bridge the gap between the music students know and love outside the classroom and the pedagogical tools teachers bring into the classroom—helping both educators and students connect more meaningfully through music.