Your Nominations
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.
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.
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