Your Nominations
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.
Chris Lyon
I was a middle schooler with absolutely no self esteem. Chris taught me how not only to become a stronger musician, but how to feel more confident and believe in myself.
Angela Hampton
Mrs Hampton is the choral director at the high school I attended. She is instrumental (pun intended) the social development in several students’ lives including my own. I can guarantee her ability to inspire has saved numerous lives over the year. We also performed Whitacre often in my time there, and the top group won it’s only State (Indiana) competition title performing “Cloudburst.”
Dr. Jason Cumberledge
Can’t say enough about how much I appreciate Dr. Cumberledge from the University of Louisville School of Music. Not only is he my son’s College assistant Band Director, but he’s my band director as well. His passion for music and teaching is unmatched. His love of music shows in the way he teaches us. I’ve learned more from him in the 3 years he’s been my director than I have in the whole 40 years of playing my trumpet. He works hard everyday to improve the musicianship of so many college music students. After working to help His students, he takes time out of his day to direct all of us seasoned musicians in the Community Band. I appreciate him for not only being a big part of my son’s musical journey, but for also taken his time to help me and others relive our dreams of being part of a great concert band.
Trevor Baxter
I am nominating Mr. Baxter because honestly, this man has changed my life. He’s my band director from high school and he is the reason I chose to major in music education at my current university. Mr. Baxter is a wonderful director but an even better friend. He has these slogans that I plan to take to my future children that I am educating. When I first joined the band, I wasn’t a shy cookie, and he used that to make me into the leader that I am today. Thank you Mr. Baxter for enriching the minds of every student that you have educated throughout the years, including me.
Jennifer Neumann
Mrs. Neumann is the choral director at a 6000 student school yet never fails to make every single student who walks through the choir room doors feel special, welcome, and accepted. Some of my happiest memories have been in her choir room. She approaches every problem with the determination to find a solution. She handles her students energy with grace and takes every curveball in stride. Even during the pandemic she kept us singing and fought the district to give us not one but two outdoor choir concerts that were unforgettably emotion packed. At this concert one of our extra curricular choirs sang Glow, and was my first live performance since covid. Mrs. Neumann brings together kids that outside of choir would hate each other and lets relationships flourish. She leads with grace and gratitude and keeps us all on the path together. So thank you Mrs. Neumann for being there for me and the entirety of the choir program.
Emily Talley
Emily is a brilliant teacher and a wonderful colleague and mentor. She has helped me find my own feet in our district since my first day. She has been a stellar band director to the young minds in an impoverished Appalachian community and has overcome hardships that come along with being an educator, especially in fine arts, in such an area. I have witnessed first hand how much her students love her and how much passion she has for not only teaching them in band, but shaping them into future great members of the community and beyond.
Arnell David Arellanes
I am nominating Arnell David Arellanes for both personal and other reasons. David was a huge part of my early choral and musical education, and he inspired not only a passion for listening to and singing great quality music, but also instilled in me a high standard of choral professionalism and performance. I will never forget all of his lessons and insights while both taking classes from and singing in various choral groups under him. He also taught at West Las Vegas High School in Las Vegas, NM, and from everything I’ve seen and heard, he continues to be an inspiration to all of his choral students there. He is recently retired. Great man!
Michael Slon
Michael Slon not only teaches his students what it means to be phenomenal musicians, but also guides them to become phenomenal humans, and gives both halves of his job the full measure of his considerable talent as an educator. From fostering life-long friendships forged in the front row of the alto section to mentoring rising-star conductors and European opera pros, from attending students’ theatre dress rehearsals to attending their weddings and even funerals, from welcoming new students to their first college audition to welcoming them into his own home (and even his parents’), Prof. Slon models the same kind of tireless commitment to his singers that he expects them to give to the choral ensembles at UVa. He devotes countless hours to building strong, diverse, and supportive communities both in his classrooms and beyond, all over Charlottesville, and fully believes in the power of music to breathe hope into our darkest moments. His incredible work speaks–sings!–for itself.
Allyn Rizo
Mrs. Rizo is the choir director of my high school. Throughout the last couple of years, she has fought through one of life’s hardest struggles; her daughter having cancer. Through the challenges, she still walks into class everyday and brings joy and smiles to the faces of those around and she truly changes those around her. Even in the darkest hours, she used music to express her feelings and allowed our joy in creating music to impact not only herself but to allow us to follow along her journey and create a safe place for each and every person. Her daughter is currently on the path to recovery but the battle isn’t over yet. She has changed my life as well as many others. Without her strength, courage, and honesty our choir would never be where it is today.
Megan Schuitema
I am nominating Megan because she not only supported me as a musician but also as a person. High school was a turbulent time in my life and she created a space where I felt safe to try new things and go out of my comfort zone. I will forever credit her with building my lasting love of choir and truly believe she deserves any and all forms of praise possible.
Jeff Quamo
He gave his all to make sure all of his students succeeded.
Mrs. Laura Sebastiano
Mrs. Sebastiano has been an extremely influential role model as my choir teacher of over seven years. Her wonderful inclusive attitude in the classroom and her overall kind spirit is completely unmatched by other teachers and staff. Her genuine nature in helping others develop confidence within themselves, and in the classroom has fostered long term bonds. I am extremely grateful to have had Mrs. Laura Sebastiano as a mentor, teacher, and friend.
Mr. Lapomardo (Mr. L)
He has helped me grow and come out of my shell so much since I shatter taking choir. Instead of being horrified every time I sing, now I look forward to it and love it.
Dr. Priscilla Porterfield
Dr. Porterfield has such a gift of creating and caring, and with such humility! She has made a community of friends out of her Treble Choir students for over 30 years, while also having fun, making them better musicians, and cultivating gorgeous(!) sound from them. The care she has for her students is unique at the college level as it extends to each person as an individual. So many times she is ready to genuinely build her students up with words or to remind them to, on the upcoming weekend, be safe and surround themselves with people who treat them as the wonderful people they are. She really gave me and so many others a place to belong during a formative time in our lives, and we will be forever grateful!
Matthew J Doty
Through all his years of educating, Matt has gone above and beyond with his students. From sight reading to stage presence; from languages and diction to panash; from breathing, blending, and feeling to complex choreography and emoting to the audience. Matt covers every element that makes up music including it’s history and students walk away with a love of the art and a love and respect for him. Matt is an amazing music educator.
Katie Seidemann
Katie is a chorus teacher in Southwest Virginia. She inspires students daily through music, but she doesn’t stop there! She is heavily involved in her local teacher advocacy groups, attending conferences and speaking at rallies. She does all this while maintaining a standard of excellence in her students- and she holds herself accountable to that standard as well! She hones her craft by regularly participating in opportunities like Voices of Appalachia, (a local adult choral group), and has participated in Eric Whitacre’s virtual choir as well. Katie can always be found speaking up for students who need it. She is dedicated, driven, and admirable. Thank you for doing the hard work, Katie!
Tiffany Harrington
When I moved to my new school, I knew close to nobody, but I had comfort that choir would bring me so many new relationships. Not only that, I met a teacher who truly cares about her students and her work. I adore her, she’s easy to talk to, bubbly, and knows how to have a good time. But, she also knows when it’s time to work, and she works wonders for our group. With her work, we are one of the best choirs in the state, and that wouldn’t have been possible without her patience, dedication, and care for us. She truly is an amazing example of what choir directors should strive to be like.
Raymond Churchill
Ray Churchill was my high school choir director. His enthusiasm and passion for teaching has inspired countless students over the years to not just be wonderful musicians, but to also be the best versions of themselves they can be. Throughout the year you can see Ray and his choirs performing throughout the community of Griswold, CT and spreading the joy of song. His choirs sing the national anthem at every home football game at which Ray also assistant coaches the team. They carol throughout the community spreading holiday cheer. Then Ray puts on a musical in the spring that sells out every single performance and is at the highest caliber a high school performance could possibly attain. Aside from concerts, festivals and performances throughout the year he also has created the ECPAA which aims to bring arts education to a new generation of musicians. His love for music and his students inspired me to become a music teacher myself. He is truly an amazing educator.
Stacie Mavis
Ms. Mavis is the chorus director at Flowery Branch High School, and directs FOUR different choirs, all while coaching all state students and dealing with teenagers. She creates beautiful music and touches the heart of every student that walks through her doors. She is a pillar of strength and trust for nearly every single student in her program, and her choirs have become safe spaces for so many students I have seen.
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