Chelsey Sweatman, a choir director at Bridgetown Middle School, has received the 2026 Spark Award, presented by Alfred Music and MakeMusic. The award recognizes her success in building a robust choir program from a near-nonexistent foundation.
MakeMusic reported that Sweatman faced significant resource constraints when she began teaching 12 years ago, lacking a substantial budget, auditorium or feeder program. Despite these challenges, she has grown the program to over 170 students, representing nearly 30% of the school’s population, and consistently sells out performances in the school’s black box theater.
According to MakeMusic, Sweatman’s approach focused on cultivating a strong classroom culture and connecting with students and their families. She established an annual tradition combining all three district middle schools to sing the national anthem at a Cincinnati Reds game, serving as both a community-building event and a fundraiser. Sweatman emphasized that engaging the community can generate support even without large budgets.
To foster student ownership and confidence, Sweatman implemented Vocal Artistry classes and partnered with local outreach theater Playhouse in the Park to teach improvisation and stagecraft. She utilizes organizational tools and time management strategies to balance her responsibilities while protecting her personal time. MakeMusic highlighted her commitment to clear expectations and scaffolding learning to empower students to take on leadership roles.
For more information, visit makemusic.com.