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Recording Academy & Grammy Foundation Announce Music Educator Award Finalists

By: May. 04, 2015
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A total of 213 music teachers from 194 cities across 42 states have been announced as quarterfinalists for the Music Educator Award™ presented by The Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Foundation®. In total, more than 4,500 initial nominations were submitted from all 50 states. Nominations for the 2017 Music Educator Award are now open at www.grammymusicteacher.com.

The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (K through college, public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. A joint partnership and presentation of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation, this special award will be presented at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony & Nominees Reception (honoring recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award and Technical GRAMMY® Award) during GRAMMY Week 2016.

The award is open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone could nominate a teacher - students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers are also able to nominate themselves, and nominated teachers are notified and invited to fill out an application.

Each year, one recipient will be selected from 10 finalists, and will be recognized for his/her remarkable impact on students' lives. The winner will be flown to host city of the GRAMMY Awards® to accept the award, attend the GRAMMY Awards ceremony, and receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine other finalists will each receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants. The honorariums and grants provided to the finalists and schools are made possible by the generosity and support of the GRAMMY Foundation's Education Champions:Converse, Disney Performing Arts, Ford Motor Company Fund, and Journeys.

A complete list of quarterfinalists is below. The semifinalists will be announced in September. For more information, please visitwww.grammymusicteacher.com.


Name School Name City State
Diane Abrahamian Penfield High School Penfield N.Y.
Greg Adamson Ladera Vista Junior High School of the Arts Fullerton Calif.
Christopher Alberts The School Without Walls Washington, D.C.
Corey Ames Loyola Academy Wilmette Ill.
Bonnie Anderson Coronado Village Elementary Universal City Texas
Kathy Anderson Highlands High School Fort Thomas Ky.
Neil Anderson Murrieta Valley High School Murrieta Calif.
Bob Athayde Stanley Middle School Lafayette Calif.
Walter Avellaneda John F. Kennedy High School Bellmore N.Y.
David Bachart New Hope-Solebury High School New Hope Pa.
Patricia Balmer Edna High School Edna Texas
Michael Bastone Division Avenue High School Levittown N.Y.
Jeffrey Beck Valley Center Middle School Valley Center Calif.
Kenneth Bedwell Andrews High School Andrews S.C.
Jeff Behrens Richland Center High School Richland Center Wis.
Brian Bersh Yorktown High School Arlington Va.
Patrick Blackburn Sherwood Githens Middle School Durham N.C.
John Blickwedehl West Seneca West High School West Seneca N.Y.
Stephen Bloom Lynnfield Middle School Lynnfield Mass.
Jennifer Boice Cashell Elementary School Rockville Md.
Benny Bolden Estero High School Estero Fla.
Gwendolyn Brazier Barnette Magnet School Fairbanks Alaska
Angelica Brooks Benjamin D. Foulois Creative and Performing Arts Academy Morningside Md.
Christopher Brown Sharon Elementary Charlotte N.C.
Debra Burnell-Wise Pleasure Ridge Park High School Louisville Ky.
Aaron Bush Pollard Middle School Needham Mass.
Lisa Butts Hanford West High School Hanford Calif.
Elizabeth Cadigan Nancy Gomes Elementary School Reno Nev.
Mark Campayno Broad Run High School Ashburn Va.
Joel Carle Windsor High School Windsor N.Y.
Ben Case Northwood High School Irvine Calif.
Brian Casey Brazoswood High School Clute Texas
Caleb Chapman Pioneer High School for the Performing Arts American Fork Utah
Juan Chattah Frost School of Music Coral Gables Fla.
Brent Chiarello Cold Spring Harbor Junior-Senior High School Cold Spring Harbor N.Y.
Joyce Click North Central High School Indianapolis Ind.
Steve Connell MOC-Floyd Valley Senior High School Orange City Iowa
Russell Cooper Henry County High School New Castle Ky.
James Cottone Bayport/Blue Point High School Bayport N.Y.
Mark Curry Clarke County High School Berryville Va.
Name School Name City State
Mike Dana Fresno City College Fresno Calif.
Steven DeCrow Lewisville High School Lewisville Texas
Jason DeGroff University of New Haven West Haven Conn.
Jamal Dickerson Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy Camden N.J.
Martin Dickey Nation Ford High School Fort Mill S.C.
Carol Doemel Lassiter High School Marietta Ga.
Christopher Dollar Fishers Island School Fishers Island N.Y.
Stephanie Drawdy Colleton County High School Walterboro S.C.
Lee Duke Floral Park Memorial High School Floral Park N.Y.
Mark Duker Waubonsie Valley High School Aurora Ill.
Eric Eaks College Station High School College Station Texas
Charles Ebersole Fleetwood Area High School Fleetwood Pa.
Richard England Freed-Hardeman University Henderson Tenn.
Jacob Ezzo South Orange Middle School South Orange N.J.
Stephanie Faille Lacey Township High School Lanoka Harbor N.J.
Melodie Fair ELCO Middle School Myerstown Pa.
Matt Falker MiraCosta College Oceanside Calif.
Krista Fanning Caddo Middle Magnet Shreveport La.
Anne Fennell Mission Vista High School Oceanside Calif.
Geneva Fitzsimonds South View Middle School Edina Minn.
John Flora Franklin L. Williams Middle School #7 Jersey City N.J.
Adria Francani P.S. 253 Brooklyn N.Y.
Doreen Fryling South Side High School Rockville Centre N.Y.
Molly Fullerton Mayfield Woods Middle School Elkridge Md.
Frank Gawle Wilton High School Wilton Conn.
Chris Gleason Patrick Marsh Middle School Sun Prairie Wis.
Justin Glodich Eldred Junior Senior High School Eldred N.Y.
Julian Gonzalez Lilburn Middle School Lilburn Ga.
Vivian Gonzalez South Miami K-8 Center Miami Fla.
Steve Gorringe Decatur High School Federal Way Wash.
Martha Grener West Genesee Middle School Camillus N.Y.
Alan Guckian Eastside Memorial High School Austin Texas
Keith Hancock Tesoro High School Rancho Santa Margarita Calif.
Elizabeth Hankins Lakewood High School Lakewood Ohio
Ron Hardin Papillion-La Vista South High School Papillion Neb.
Bethany Hardwick Downing Middle School Flower Mound Texas
Rodney Harshbarger Old Kings Elementary School Flagler Beach Fla.
Daniel Harvey Seminole Ridge Community High School Loxahatchee Fla.
Kristen Hill Niagara Catholic Jr./Sr. High School Niagara Falls N.Y.
Judy Hilliard Easley Year-Round Magnet Elementary School Durham N.C.
Name School Name City State
Peter Holsberg The Berkeley Carroll School Brooklyn N.Y.
Brian Ingelson Palm Springs High School Palm Springs Calif.
Kathryn Ingerson Thousand Islands High/ Middle School Clayton N.Y.
Brandi Jason Liberty High School Eldersburg Md.
Daniel Jensen Liberty High School Peoria Ariz.
Marshall Jones Smith River School Smith River Calif.
Chase Jordan MacGregor Elementary School Houston Texas
Clifford Jourdan Kaskaskia College Centralia Ill.
David Jumper Marywood University Scranton Pa.
Damien Kaplan Springfield High School Springfield Ill.
Randy Kapralick University of the Arts Philadelphia Pa.
Dr. Daniel Kiene Richmond Hill High School Richmond Hill Ga.
James Kusserow Porterville High School Porterville Calif.
Roxann Lahcanski Bay Trail Middle School Penfield N.Y.
Sharon Laird Oak Grove High School Hattiesburg Miss.
Dana Landry University of Northern Colorado Greeley Colo.
Jacqueline Langley Haverford Middle School Havertown Pa.
Mark Laughlin Georgia Southwestern State University Americus Ga.
Brian Leisher Bruning-Davenport USD Bruning Neb.
Ollie Liddell Memphis Central High School Memphis Tenn.
Jarrett Lipman Claudia Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson High School San Antonio Texas
Miroslav Loncar Park View High School Sterling Va.
Kathryn Lotocky Fort Lauderdale High School Fort Lauderdale Fla.
Lorraine Lynch Roxbury High School Succasunna N.J.
Dean Marino West Port High School Ocala Fla.
Jason Marshall West Ranch High School Stevenson Ranch Calif.
Jennifer Maxwell Nantucket Community Music Center Nantucket Mass.
Richard Maxwell Arcadia High School Phoenix Ariz.
Anthony Mazzocchi Montclair State University Montclair N.J.
Pamela McClain Parkersburg High School Parkersburg W. Va.
Darren McCoy Oak Harbor High School Oak Harbor Wash.
Richard McCready River Hill High School Clarksville Md.
Melanie Mesiano East Hampton Middle School East Hampton N.Y.
Michael Michewicz Wellspring Preparatory High School Grand Rapids Mich.
Sarah Milazzo-Payne Bryan Station Middle School Lexington Ky.
Jody Miller McCleskey Middle School Marietta Ga.
Kevin Milliken East Juniata High School McAlisterville Pa.
Duane Minnick Briar Woods High School Ashburn Va.
David Moellenkamp Los Alamitos High School Los Alamitos Calif.
Mark Morello Bristow Middle School Brentwood Calif.
Name School Name City State
Sharn Morrow Westminster Choir College of Rider University Princeton N.J.
Kirt Mosier Lee's Summit West High School Lee's Summit Mo.
DiAnne Mott Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School St. Johnsville N.Y.
Steve Muise Mt. Blue High School Farmington Maine
Josh Murray Rio Americano High School Sacramento Calif.
Melton Mustafa Parkway Middle School of the Arts Lauderhill Fla.
Laura Nelson Orangewood Christian School Maitland Fla.
Torrey Newhart Academy of Arts and Academics Springfield Ore.
Laura-Beth Nichols Bethpage Elementary Bethpage Tenn.
Matthew Nishimoto Coronado High School Henderson Nev.
Edward Norris Glen Cove High School Glen Cove N.Y.
John Oelrich University of Tennessee at Martin Martin Tenn.
Bradley Olesen Columbus State University Columbus Ga.
Robert Parker South Oldham Middle School Crestwood Ky.
Michael Pavlik York Community High School Elmhurst Ill.
Mark Perkins Scranton Public School Scranton N.D.
Heather Philhower Millstone Township Middle School Perrineville N.J.
Leanna Pink-Sewell Ahern Middle School Foxborough Mass.
Catherine Plichta Park Place Community Middle School MS K266 Brooklyn N.Y.
Christine Porter Brooklyn Center Secondary Brooklyn Center Minn.
Jay Posteraro Mesa Verde Middle School San Diego Calif.
Timothy Powell Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School Augusta Ga.
Penelope Quesada Lincoln Elementary Louisville Ky.
Rosa Rabinovich Norman S. Edelcup Sunny Isles Beach K-8 Sunny Isles Beach Fla.
Amy Rangel Glendale High School Glendale Calif.
Marc Ratner Mineola High School Garden City Park N.Y.
Kara Ravina Las Lomas High School Walnut Creek Calif.
Ulli Reiner Palomar College San Marcos Calif.
Joseph Renardo Indian Trail Elementary School Frankfort Ill.
Phillip Riggs North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Durham N.C.
Brian Roelandt Fitzgerald High School Warren Mich.
Matthew Rotjan South Orangetown Middle School Blauvelt N.Y.
Thomas Ruggieri Boardman High School Youngstown Ohio
Christopher Rust Sunset High School Portland Ore.
Joseph Rutkowski John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School Great Neck N.Y.
Kenny Sack Mary Kay McMillin School Berkeley Heights N.J.
Melissa Salguero P.S. 48 Joseph R. Drake Bronx N.Y.
Agnieszka Salter Forest Lane Community School Montello Wis.
Name School Name City State
Peter Sampson Whiteland Community High School Whiteland Ind.
Wendy Sarnoff Venice High School Los Angeles Calif.
Jennifer Schecter Marie Curie Middle School 158 Bayside N.Y.
Susan Schiffman Manchester Elementary Middle School Manchester Vt.
Kyle Schoeller Northside Elementary Rogers Ark.
Jacob Seymour Lancaster Middle School Lancaster N.Y.
Chaz Shipman Freeport Area Junior High School Sarver Pa.
Paula Simmons Elwood Junior Senior High School Elwood Ind.
Lisa Simone Hooper Avenue Elementary Toms River N.J.
Joseph Sitler Brentwood High School Brentwood N.Y.
Teresa Slade Hempstead High School Dubuque Iowa
Rachel Slotnick Franklin Academy Boynton Beach Boynton Beach Fla.
Kelsey Smith Mattawan Middle School Mattawan Mich.
Matthew Smith American Canyon High School American Canyon Calif.
Michael Smith Nyack High School Upper Nyack N.Y.
Robert W. Smith Troy University Troy Ala.
Nicole Snodgrass Cherokee High School Marlton N.J.
Andrea Crisara Snouffer West Ridge Middle School Austin Texas
Wilbert Solomon McLean Middle School Fort Worth Texas
Kim Stamps Belleville East High School Belleville Ill.
Ronnie Stanford Barrow High School Barrow Alaska
Kathy Stefani Grangeville High School Grangeville Idaho
Amy J. Steiner Hillery Park Elementary Buffalo N.Y.
Don Stinson Naperville North High School Naperville Ill.
Vicky Stockton New York State School for the Deaf Rome N.Y.
Annette Stone Birch Elementary School North Olmsted Ohio
Steve Sveum Sun Prairie High School Sun Prairie Wis.
Siema Swartzel Arnold Memorial Elementary School Cleveland Tenn.
Bill Swick Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Las Vegas Nev.
Eric Swihart Montera Middle School Oakland Calif.
Brayer Teague Downers Grove North High School Downers Grove Ill.
Gregory Thomas Albemarle High School Charlottesville Va.
Tom Thomas Mason County Central High School Scottville Mich.
Julie Trent Combs High School San Tan Valley Ariz.
Barry Trobaugh Munford High School Munford Tenn.
Carol Turner Krum High School Krum Texas
GayLin Tutnick Saguaro High School Scottsdale Ariz.
David Tyson Murray Middle School Wilmington N.C.
Nana Vaughn Veterans Elementary School Ellicott City Md.
Linda Versprille Sangaree Middle School Ladson S.C.
Johnnie Walker Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center Chicago Ill.
Name School Name City State
Jay Wardeska Brunswick High School Brunswick Ohio
Kyle Weary Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Hagerstown Md.
Matthew Weaver North Houston Early College High School Houston Texas
Marla Weber Eisenhower High School Goddard Kan.
Brent Whitaker Southeast Bulloch High School Brooklet Ga.
Kristi Wicihowski West Allis Nathan Hale High School West Allis Wis.
Lois Wiggins Edythe J. Hayes Middle School Lexington Ky.
Dustin Wiley Firelands High School Oberlin Ohio
Kelly Winovich Northgate Middle/Senior High School Pittsburgh Pa.
Elijah Wirth Peabody Preparatory Baltimore Md.
Marcus Wolfe Valley Christian Conservatory of the Arts San Jose Calif.
Dr. Michael Woods Hamilton College Utica N.Y.
Mark Wurtzel Pershing Middle School Houston Texas
Bruce Yates General McLane High School Edinboro Pa.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards - the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music - The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, "like" The GRAMMYs on Facebook, and join he GRAMMYs' social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.

The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1988 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy, to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. In recognition of the significant role of teachers in shaping their students' musical experiences, The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation partnered to present their first Music Educator Award in 2014. Open to current U.S. music teachers in K through college, the third annual Music Educator Award will be presented at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony & Nominees Reception during GRAMMY Week 2016. For more information about the Music Educator Award, please visit GRAMMYMusicTeacher.com. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.grammyfoundation.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, please "like" GRAMMY in the Schools® onFacebook, follow the GRAMMY Foundation on Twitter (@GRAMMYFdn) and join us on Instagram (@GRAMMYFdn),

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Disney Performing Arts unlocks student potential and helps young people make their own dreams come true - whether it's performing in front of an international audience of thousands at Disney theme parks and resorts or honing their craft in enriching workshops and clinics taught by entertainment professionals. Every year, thousands of vocal, instrumental, and other ensembles travel from around the world to participate in Disney Performing Arts programs at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California and the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Disney delivers workshops and performance opportunities that enrich, inspire and often lead to life-changing personal achievement.

Ford Motor Company Fund & Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. For more than 60 years, Ford Motor Company Fund has operated with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and dealers work on projects each year that better their communities in more than 30 countries. For more information, visit www.community.ford.com.

Journeys is a leader in the teen specialty retail scene, with more than 800 stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Journeys uses fashion savvy and merchandising science to keep in step with the fast-paced footwear and accessories market for 13- to 22-year-old guys and girls. Journeys offers a wide variety of trendy, relevant brands that cater to teens that seek the hottest, new styles. However, the Journeys store is more than a retail environment - it's an extension of the teen lifestyle. From the plasma TVs playing exclusive content and the latest music videos, to the visual merchandising strategy and promotions, to the employees whose image and style reflect the customers' lifestyle and attitude. In addition, Journeys reaches its customers through www.journeys.com, a mobile website, catalog, national advertising, strategic cross-promotions, social media and grassroots events like the Noise Tour. Journeys - An Attitude You Can Wear! Journeys is a division of Genesco Inc.



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