Your Nominations
Bethany Spielman
I have the privilege of working with Ms. Spielman and I look up to her as a choral director. She shows amazing tenacity, confidence, and empathy and the program she has built is inspiring. Not only are her students musically exceptional, but also they are connected in community through her teaching and leadership. She is a force of power, beauty, and love!
Polly Dexter
Miss Dexter is an engaging, committed, and gifted educator. Her third grade classroom is one where acceptance, tolerance, exploration, and the simple joys of learning are celebrated each and every day. Every member of her learning community is valued for their individual gifts, and a sense of community and mutual respect is fostered. The ‘explorers’ (Adventure is out there) is the classroom theme, and they together discover the many ways in which learning in a caring, respect-filled community can bring both joy and knowledge. My spouse Daphne (a weekly classroom volunteer) and I are most proud of this caring and dedicated educator – who just happens to be our daughter.
Christine Manalo
First of all, she is the biggest Eric Whitacre fan! More importantly she always encourages her students to try their best and she does everything in her power to make choir a fun and safe environment for everyone. She works harder than most teachers I’ve seen and she deserves to know that her work is appreciated by her students. As our high school choir continues to sing Whitacre pieces, Ms. M fuels our passion to sing. As a student I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing choir directed by an even more amazing teacher! We love you Ms. M!
Miss Manalo has brought joy into the lives of so many choir students. She makes the high school experience bearable by giving us fun activities and songs to look forward to in choir. She might have way too much energy but that’s what makes her class so fun. She’s turned so many non music kids into choir lovers and she’s amazing at what she does. She’s a HUGE Eric Whitacre fan and winning this would make her entire life. We just sang “sing gently” at our winter concert and Miss Manalo couldn’t stop fan girling over him.
Eileen Walentin “Wally”
wally is probably the kindest most caring choir teacher ever. I am 2 years ahead of my brother and when my brother came to the school he was bullied, wally took him under her wing and same with me. she changed the way we look at each other and her classroom is a safe space for any student including me and my brother and anyone can go to her and know they will be accepted and cared for. wally is like a mother to her students and when I’m with her I feel comfortable and she pushes me past my limits and helps me succeed. thank you wally. 💗
Gene Seese
Gene Seese is the Choral Director at North Forsyth High School. Not only is he an Eric Whitacre Super Fan, but an incredible teacher and role model to his students. In and out of the school building, Gene Seese never fails to make all students feel valued and respected. He sacrifices so much of his personal time to make sure his students and ensembles and striving and becoming the best they can possibly be. On top of being an incredible teacher and inspiring hundreds of students, he dedicates himself even further to music by directing the Church Choir at Grace Presbyterian Church and being a Bass section leader in the North Georgia Singers. As someone who has worked under Gene Seese for several years now, I cannot express enough how deserving he is of recognition for his dedication. In my 4 years with him, Gene Seese has taught be how to be a better performer and musician. Without the guidance of Gene Seese, I and many others wouldn’t be anywhere near as successful as we are today.
Margaret Clark
Ms. Clark is a wonderful inspiration for music. She motivates me to work harder and stronger. She also never gives up and is a perfect example for teenagers.
Taylor DiBernardo
She helped my foster my love of music while also giving me an environment to explore social issues I was passionate about and creating a safe, supportive learning community for all. (She’s an English teacher)
Stephanie Blackwell Nelson
Stephanie was a classmate, then a coworker. She took over the band program at Liberty Eylau ISD in Texarkana, TX around 20 years ago. She loves her students and tirelessly guides her students to excellence in music and life. She is the epitome of a great teacher!
Sean Kane
Sean Kane was a fantastic choir director at my high school. He made us feel included and loved. His love of music inspired me and the choir to perform the pieces with emotion and passion. Not only was he a great choir director, but he was a great mentor and friend that helped me through some of the roughest times in High School. I will always remember his fun choir warm-ups and the beautiful music we made together.
Adam Leatherman
He constantly inspires me everyday! As a choir and symphonic band director, he’s always finding ways to incorporate his own style into his work and pieces! He introduced me to Seal Lullaby, which made me really start looking into composers and more pieces in general! He’s such a hard worker and even travels just to be there for us everyday. 10/10.
Kevin Hammill
Mr. Hammill was my high school band director who told us everyday that he had the best job in the entire world. He cares about each and every one of his students, and would have fun traditions like reading the Grinch during the holidays in an Irish accent. He is extremely patient with his students, and creates a welcoming, fun, and inspiring classroom environment. He would play songs every rehearsal as we walked in, and would sing and dance with them. He deserves this recognition!
Zach Halop
Mr. Halop is one of best teachers Northwood High has ever had. Zach has worked as a teacher for 32 years and his retiring at the end of this year. He always strives to make sure each kid has the chance to make music, and not just learn it, but learn to be the music and express it with great technique and quality. He was awarded Orange County Music & Arts Vocal Music Teacher of the Year in 2011 & 2006, IUSD Teacher of the Year for Northwood High in 2005, IUSD Elementary Music Teacher of the Year in 1997, and recently received his 7th Grammy for his work at NHS. He makes such an impression on the students, being such a ray of sunshine and joy despite whatever is going on in his life. He is always cracking jokes and making his students try all sort of new things. His classroom is a safe place and the most enjoyable class period. There truly aren’t enough words to describe this gem of a person. Plus he’s an Eric Whitacre fan and makes us sing at least one song per concert.
Philip Colman
Philip Colman was our musicianship teacher and choir director at the junior department of Trinity College of Music, London. He taught us moving and beautiful choral music and inspired me to compose and sing when I was a shy teenager. Every session was infused with joy. I found his sense of fun, excitement, enthusiasm and love of music infectious. The aliveness and energy he brought to our classes and rehearsals are still with me today.
Dillard’s Polikarpov
Mr. P (as the kids call him) is a relatively new teacher fresh out of college. He has been the Band Director at our tiny charter Madison Creative Arts Academy for two years. In that time he has become one of the kids favorite educators.
Mr. P isn’t just teaching music theory and scales. He’s teaching these kids to love music. For the first time in decades we had a child for our county participate in the All State Band. It was my daughter and Mr. P is largely to thank for that. Prior to him we didn’t even know All State and Honor Bands existed. She is now participating in District Honor Band as well. There have been multiple other students step up and make the audition for other Honor Bands since he started working with our kids. He truly has helped them realize band is more than a 45 minute class! He gives too much of himself that there’s no way I could mention it all in 1000 words. Just believe he is very deserving of some recognition.
Mr. P as all of the students, and us parents call him, is constantly going above and beyond. He is a second year middle school band instructor. Mr. P makes sure his students are reaching their full potential. He nominates them for workshops, honor bands, special recitals, and makes sure they are ready. Last year every student who attended solo/ensemble received a superior rating. He will call around on his time off to find the best instrument your child needs. He calls every week with an update on my student and his performance. He selects musical pieces that bring out the best, yet challenge my student to grow. He plans field trips to college performances, to inspire our students to continue on their musical journey. Most of all, he is kind, patient and the kids put in the extra practice because they love him.
Mr. “P” is a phenomenal middle school music teacher and mentor. He goes over and beyond to provide opportunities for his students to participate both in and outside of the classroom including performances, competitions, and band camps. This has had a huge impact on our kids growing up in a rural area, where exposure to such creative and artistic experiences would not occur without his facilitation. Due to his dedication and extra efforts, we have students excelling as they are inspired and empowered by this teacher whose passion for music is infectious and whose belief and pride in his students is commendable.
Phillip Johnson
Mr Johnson, a former member of the MSU accafellas group became a choir teacher to help students understand what music can truly do. He has inspired me to become a singer. He has encouraged all of his students to do everything 100% and more.
Mitchell Calderone
As a first-year teacher, Mitchell inspires and impacts 6th – 12th graders every day. I, his partner, am blessed to get the chance to hear about events that have occurred on his journey thus far. He’s shared the struggles, but more importantly- excitement, optimism and joy that building a choir music program brings him. He holds himself to an extremely high standard, as a teacher, but as a son, role model, friend and human as well. He has grown so much, continuing to be the selfless, empathetic, passionate, and determined person that he is in the world, into the classroom; to the kids.
I’ve witnessed the magical glow of his personality, technique, and dedication to music and keeping the spark of creativity flowing to the people around him, with professionalism, trust, time, and love. I want to bring his impact as a teacher and human to light, as it can be difficult to see yourself amidst all the chaos.
Feel free to visit his website (which is in progress): mitchellcalderone.com
Mr. Calderone is such a wonderful teacher. Is is really understanding and helps us through all our problems. He pays special attention to each and every one of us and makes sure we understand what he want of us. His teaching style is a fun and helpful way of knowing our work. He makes special dates for us so we can get out of school and see the sun every once in a while.
I am nominating Mr. Calderone because he is an amazing choir director and he shares a passion for music like no other. I have rarely experienced so many insightful conversations with just one teacher. He cares so much about every student he teaches as well. Besides his personable nature, he also teaches music in the most incredible ways, and he makes sure that everyone understands the material being taught. Each piece we sing as an ensemble is chosen with care and thought—it always has a meaning behind it.
Mr. Calderone is a first year educator that has bravely stepped into a position that has been occupied by 8 different choir directors in the past 6 years. What had been left behind of the severely hurting department? A show choir of barely 15 members and regular choir classes full of students there for easy credit. Mr. Calderone spends many unpaid hours before and after school multiple days a week to make sure things are okay with his classes as well as his students. Mr. Calderone had to do one of the most difficult things that the 8 choir directors before him had refused to do—stay. Not only has Mr. Calderone decided to stay to teach his students music, but he’s also decided to stay to teach his students necessary life skills for general wellness and happiness.
Mr. Calderone is a very young, but a very mature and passionate teacher for the choral department of Bremen Public High School. He is determined to see that his students succeed and are equipped with the knowledge they need to not just only pursue a career in music but everyday life lessons that one might need. He makes the space around him safe and secure for anyone to speak their mind. He is also very passionate about the music of Eric Whitacre and has incorporated his music into both lessons and repertoire.
He is a first year teacher but has been doing amazing in teaching students how to read music and sight read much better than we have in the past. Thanks to many of his methods I’ve seen huge amounts of growth in my confidence and knowledge and I believe he is responsible for it.
He is a first year teacher but has been doing amazing in teaching students how to read music and sight read much better than we have in the past. Thanks to many of his methods I’ve seen huge amounts of growth in my confidence and knowledge and I believe he is responsible for it.
Julienne Wilkes
I am nominating my amazingly talented, awe inspiring wife, Julienne. Julienne is a private music teacher who runs a studio in our home. In her time as a music teacher, Julienne has managed to found the Elizabethtown Choral Society (the first semi-professional classical choir in the KY Heartland), serve her community with Clarity Solutions for Women, and raise three wonderful children (all while putting up with me, her annoying husband!). Her patience never ceases to amaze, her gifts are too many to list, and her love for music has influenced so many young lives. Our children and I are so fortunate to have this amazing woman in our lives.
Tim Burns
Tim began a virtual choir at the beginning of Lockdown in the UK. At the same time he was continuing to teach a youth group online and complete studies prior to an audition for Berklee College of Music in Boston. His online rehearsals brought happiness at the end of our dull days and we never ceased to be amazed at the finished project when, with no help, he miraculously stitches everything together to make us sound so beautiful. All for love of music and care for others.
After Virtual Choir 6 was done and I had all that excitement from singing in a virtual choir at the start of the pandemic, I discovered Choirantine, run by Tim Burns. As much as I enjoy participating in choirs that have video, I really enjoy Tim’s choir as it is audio only and I can focus on learning and submitting good quality audio. He’s a great teacher of the music, motivates is, keeps things fun. Of all the virtual choirs out there that I’m a part of, I’d definitely nominate him!
Tim started a virtual choir–aptly named “Choirantine”–just over a year ago (many of us were in VC6), in addition to keeping other music teaching projects going after shifting them to online. He is an incredibly gifted director, singer, pianist, arranger, and audio mixer extraordinaire–wow, do we sound good! At rehearsals he never fails to impart one or more valuable music theory gems, all the while keeping us laughing–such a gift during the height of lockdowns. He has picked a brilliant mix of pieces from many different genres for us to record, and it has fed our souls. Tim has truly built a close-knit worldwide community, which is quite a feat. He is just starting a new adventure as a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and all his loyal “Choirantinis” are excited to watch his star ascend!
Tim is an incredible musician, composer, arranger, teacher. He is always so positive and encouraging and makes everyone feel valued. He has a unique way of making every single person feel that they are important and that their voice matters. He knows how to bring the best out in everyone. He also has a fantastic way of bringing humor into his teaching and makes even the most obscure music theory fact memorable. He’s the best.
Tim directs a virtual choir, Choirantine, with love, grace, talent, acceptance, and caring. All the things that the best choir directors strive a lifetime to master. And he’s a youngun’! I can’t even imagine how high his career will go. His weekly songs kept all of Choirantine going through the pandemic-we had our zoom rehearsals and great songs as something to look forward to. And he had a sixth sense for the style of song we would need each week.
Tim is a very talented young man from the UK who during the pandemic created a simple, accessible virtual choir – Choirantine – that encourages people with a broad range musical skills to participate. Many cannot read music: he supports “learning by ear”, yet provides technical information to those with more musical knowledge. His repertoire of songs for the VC spans the gamut of musical genres. With all due respect to Queen and Freddie Mercury, I think our rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody is better than the original! I have personally participated in 35 of Tim’s songs, yet I only started in July 2020. Many participants, myself included, are VC 6 alumni. Tim has given us the opportunity to hang on to the spirit created by Eric Whitacre with his Sing Gently, and continue to sing together, still today. Tim was recently accepted to Berklee college to advance his own musical education and just relocated from the UK to Boston . I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.
I have never attended one of Tim’s virtual choir rehearsals – BUT my daughter has been a part of his “Choirantine” group for a number of months now. If she has had a bad day, I can see the difference in her when she has been to one of Tim’s rehearsals. Her eyes light up and she is so happy. I will never be able to thank Tim and his “Choirantinis” for helping her get through the Lockdown months here in the UK. I know from my daughter that he gives so much time and energy into their music projects and they sound amazing when they are finished. And I believe that he has done all this whist studying to get into music college in the USA. What an achievement and a blessing to so many people. Mr Tim Burns – you’re a legend!
I can’t imagine what lockdown would have been like without virtual choirs….I am in over 15 but there is something special about Tim’s!!! He has taken time to get to know us, guide us and has become a true maestro that I am proud to sing for! His talent, passion, kindness and genuine caring for all of us from around the globe is a blessing in these confusing and scary times!
At such a young age, Tim Burns has proven to be a very talented and charismatic musician/teacher. He has been able to not only capture and hold the attention of his Choirantine group members from around the world, but also help them flourish and gain confidence in their singing. His choice of songs and Zoom rehearsals have always been fun and at times emotional. And I know I’m not the only one who says it’s a great day when we receive an email from him announcing the next song we will rehearse and record. Now that he’s moved from the UK to the US for more music studies, more people will get to know him like the way we do and we’re just so proud of him!
Megan Kreinbring
Mrs. Krienbring is beyond an amazing teacher, she is a wonderful person who has shaped the hearts of so many students through the use of song. She more than a choir director; she is a friend and an ally to not only students but her fellow faculty and community members. She cares about more than whether we sing the right notes. She is the reason I stayed at my high-school my senior year, she is the reason why so many people at our school sing.
Steve Hendricks
Steve is a band Director in northern Utah, and has been nominated for several awards in the arena of education. I asked him once why he does what he does, his response was “when people ask me what I teach, I tell them that I teach kids.” he inspired me to become a musician, inspired me to become a better person, and influences hundreds of lives every single year.
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