Santa Monica, CA (Top40 Charts/ Recording Academy) A total of 10 music teachers from ten cities across eight states have been announced as finalists for the first annual
Music Educator Award presented by The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation. In total, more than 30,000 initial nominations were submitted from all 50 states.
The
Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten 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 have its inaugural presentation at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony & Nominees Reception honoring recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award and Technical GRAMMY Award during GRAMMY Week 2014.
As announced on the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards by President/CEO of The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation Neil Portnow, TV and radio host/producer and GRAMMY Foundation Honorary Board Chair Ryan Seacrest, and six-time GRAMMY winner Justin Timberlake, the award was open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone could nominate a teacher — students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers were also able to nominate themselves, and nominated teachers were notified and invited to fill out an application.
One recipient will be selected from 10 finalists each year, and will be recognized for his/her remarkable impact on students' lives. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award, attend the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards ceremony, and receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists also 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 Box Tops For Education®, Converse, Ford Motor Company Fund, Journeys, and Microsoft Surface, with additional support from Universal
Music Group.
WHEN:
A complete list of finalists is below. The winner will be announced in January. Applications for the second annual
Music Educator Award are currently online; to nominate a teacher, visit GRAMMYMusicTeacher.com. The deadline to nominate is March 31, 2014. The application process will adjust each year to allow the broad array of effective teaching styles and methods used in the discipline to be recognized and awarded.
| First Name |
Last Name |
School |
City |
State |
| Lisa |
Bianconi |
Kurn Hattin Homes for Children |
Westminster |
Vt. |
| Charles |
Cushinery |
Ed W. Clark High School |
Las Vegas |
Nev. |
| Andrew |
DeNicola |
John P. Stevens High School |
Edison |
N.J. |
| Vivian |
Gonzalez |
South Miami K-8 Center |
Miami |
Fla. |
| Kent |
Knappenberger |
Westfield Academy and Central School |
Westfield |
N.Y. |
| Kathrine |
Kouns |
Horizon High School |
Scottsdale |
Ariz. |
| Glen |
McCarthy |
George Mason University |
Fairfax |
Va. |
| Steve |
Vutsinas |
Grassfield High School |
Chesapeake |
Va. |
| Jo |
Wallace-Abbie |
Plano West Senior High School |
Plano |
Texas |
| Mary Jo |
West |
George Mason High School |
Falls Church |
Va. |
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 The GRAMMYs' social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.
