FSU College of Music Hits High Note with Dance Marathon 2026
The Florida State University College of Music is proud to announce a record-breaking year for its Dance Marathon (DM) team. Led by Co-Delegates Myra Sexton (junior, Music Therapy) and Amanda Stewart (sophomore, Music Education), the team raised a total of $8,162.67 for the 2026 campaign—more than doubling their size and impact from the previous year.
This year’s team, which included undergraduate students Madi Zuel, Kiley Berkery, Ally Kelso, Elly Cross, Amanda Marcy, and Alex Rosales, surpassed their intended $6,000 goal, placing them 29th out of 62 participating organizations, a significant climb from the team’s 38th-place finish in 2025.
For Sexton, the cause is deeply personal.
“I first became involved after learning that some of the funds raised directly support music therapy services,” said Sexton. “The whole point of staying awake and on your feet is to sacrifice just a little bit of your time and energy for kids and families who are in difficult and oftentimes unpredictable and scary situations.”
The marathon requires participants to remain awake and standing for shifts lasting up to 20 hours, a physical challenge meant to symbolize the resilience of children facing pediatric illnesses.
“Serving as a Co-Delegate has been an incredible experience,” added Stewart. “Hearing the stories of the families reminded us why we do what we do and motivated us to keep going. After all, there is always MORE TO DO.”
The team’s success highlights the philanthropic spirit of FSU’s artistic community. Team member Alex Rosales (junior, Music Therapy) described the weekend as a “transformative experience” that pushed everyone to their limits for a greater cause.
About Dance Marathon at FSU
One of the original five founding Dance Marathon organizations, Dance Marathon at FSU is the largest on-campus student organization at FSU and the 5th largest program of its kind in the United States.
The College of Music team is a student-led initiative dedicated to fundraising for the Children’s Miracle Network. By bridging the gap between the arts and healthcare, the team provides music students with a platform to advocate for pediatric health and the essential role of music therapy in clinical settings.
This year, DM at FSU saw a substantial increase in giving, raising a grand total of $1,506,504.67.
For more information, visit Dance Marathon at FSU.
