A total of 10 music teachers from 10 cities across nine states have been announced as finalists for the second annual Music Educator Award, presented by The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation. Steven Acciani, Diamond Bar High School in Diamond Bar, California.
William Bennett, Cane Bay High School in Summerville, South Carolina.
Jared Cassedy, Windham High School in Windham, New Hampshire.
Charles Cushinery, Ed W. Clark High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Krista Fanning, Caddo Middle Magnet in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Richard Maxwell, Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona.
Debra Reilly, Springhouse/Orefield Middle Schools in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Huber Smith, Maplewood Middle School in Sulphur, Louisiana.
Nancie Tobison, Barringotn High School in Barringoton, Illinois.
Danny Yancey, Martin Gifted & Talented Magnet School in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In total, more than 7,000 initial nominations were submitted from all 50 states.
Kent Knappenberger of Westfield Academy and Central School in Westfield, N.Y. was the recipient of the first annual Music Educator Award. Knappenberger was recognized during the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards telecast in a segment featuring Neil Portnow along with nine-time GRAMMY winner John Legend and Ryan Seacrest.
One recipient will be selected from 10 finalists each year, and will be recognized for his/her remarkable impact on students’ lives. The 2015 winner will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award, attend the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards ceremony, and receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the school of all 10 finalists all will receive matching grants. The winner will be announced in February.
GRAMMYMusicTeacher.com
