Music Educator Awards
Sponsored by Kim & Judith Swanson
Established in 1997, the Columbus Symphony’s Music Educator Awards recognize those individuals who instill and inspire a love of music in the children and adults of central Ohio. The purpose of these annual awards is to promote a greater understanding of and appreciation for music education, as well as to honor those individuals who are making a real difference in our community through their dedication to music education. One award is honored in each of the following categories:
Elementary Music Educator Secondary Music Educator Community Music Educator
Each Music Educator Award winner receives a monetary grant to be spent at their direction for a broad range of music education endeavors, such as purchasing music, instrument repair, or professional development classes for the educator. The nomination process takes place in the Fall. For additional information, please call (614) 221-4916.
2020 Music Educator Award Winners
The Music Educator Awards are made possible through the generous support of Kim & Judith Swanson. Additional 2020 nominees for this award are listed below. To see a list of past award recipients, CLICK HERE.
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Debra Keller-Perry | Elementary Educator
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Daniel Gleich | Secondary Educator
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Susan Larson | Community Educator
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Other nominees included
- William Giacomelli, Hilliard City Schools
- Nicole Mazon, Hilliard City Schools
- Angel Hillyard, West Jefferson Schools
- Kara Johansen, Worthington City Schools
- Nick Gonzalez, The Goddard School
- James Becker, The Wellington School
- Dustin O'Neill, Columbus City Schools
- Keith Watson, River View Local Schools
- Tom Traini, South-Western City Schools
- Joshua Reynolds, Columbus City Schools
- Nick Crowther, Hilliard City Schools
- Chad Wulf, director of the Singing Buckeyes Barbershop Chorus
- Chris Kuhn, Westerville City Schools
- Mary Fran Cassady, director of the Dublin Singers
The Nomination process begins in the fall. To receive information contact the Symphony education department at 614-221-4916.
Nominees should be music educators in the central Ohio area who:
- Make a lasting difference in the lives of students of all abilities and backgrounds
- Routinely go “above and beyond the call of duty” by extending efforts beyond the classroom
- Make a significant impact on their community through music education
- Inspire students to reach appropriately high levels of musical understanding and ability
- Demonstrate longevity in the field of music education by their many years of work
- Instill a lifelong appreciate of music in their students
Nominations must include:
- Notation of the educator’s nomination category – elementary, secondary, or community.
- Three letters of support (no longer than 3 pages each) describing how the nominee meets the selection criteria.
- Nominee's information: name, place of employment, title, home and work addresses, email address, number of years in current position, and total years experience in music education.
- Nominator’s information: name, email address, relationship to nominee, home and work addresses, and phone number.