The CMA Foundation celebrated 30 outstanding music educators during its 10th annual Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at The Pinnacle in Nashville. The event also marked the CMA Foundation’s 15th anniversary, recognizing five teachers from Metro Nashville Public Schools, 10 from across Tennessee and 15 from 11 other states. More Local Living News
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell proclaimed Oct. 7 “Music Teachers of Excellence Day.” The evening featured performances by Zac Brown, Marcus King, Sierra Hull, Keith Urban, Tucker Wetmore, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and others. Brown also introduced a special prerecorded message from Dolly Parton, filmed before her passing, and performed their collaboration “Butterfly” in her honor.
The celebration recognized retiring CMA CEO Sarah Trahern for her leadership and presented the inaugural Music Education Impact Award to Joe Galante. The Foundation also welcomed 83 former honorees for its first alumni gathering and announced a new alumni network.
Since its inception, the program has honored more than 200 music educators. Each of this year’s 30 recipients received a $5,000 grant, with $2,500 designated for classroom resources and $2,500 for personal use.
Southeast
Lucy Alegria, Gallatin High School, Gallatin, TN
Michael Aymett, Riverdale High School, Murfreesboro, TN
Trevor Baxter, Centennial High School, Franklin, TN
Melissa Blizzard, Stevens Creek Elementary School, Martinez, GA
Johnny Croft, Cane Ridge High School, Antioch, TN
Julia Culp, Freedom Middle School, Franklin, TN
Elmer Feliciano, McMurray Middle School, Nashville, TN
Aurora Foster, Woodland Middle School, Brentwood, TN
Darlene Grande, Stonewyck Elementary School, Orlando, FL
Sherie Grossman, James Lawson High School, Nashville, TN
Tony Hartman, Scales Elementary School, Murfreesboro, TN
Kinsey Healy, Houston High School, Germantown, TN
Samuel Holmes, Garden Hills Elementary School, Atlanta, GA
Allen Kennedy, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Nashville, TN
Taylor Kollmeier, Page High School, Franklin, TN
Ashleigh Ledford, Sterling School, Greenville, SC
Ollie Liddell, Memphis Central High School, Memphis, TN
Nathaniel O’Neal, DuPont Hadley Middle School, Old Hickory, TN
Michael Perryman, Ooltewah Elementary School, Ooltewah, TN
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter
