Recognizing all of the dedicated teachers around Central Ohio.
Music Educator Resource Portal
The Columbus Symphony celebrates the resourcefulness and resilience of music educators in Central Ohio who work with students in classrooms and online through a range of distance-learning platforms and technologies. Drawn from programs created this collection offers an array of digital programs and resources for educators to use free of charge. To register, please use the link below:
The Columbus Symphony would like to offer each K-12 Central Ohio music teacher two free tickets for each Masterworks series concert during the season!
Some restrictions may apply. All tickets are subject to availability.
Established in 1996, 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:
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 each year in January.
Nominees should be music educators in the central Ohio area who:
Nominations must include:
Finalists
Questions can be directed to Columbus Symphony Director of Education, Meghan McDevitt at mmcdevitt@columbussymphony.com.
Nominations may be submitted online at https://bit.ly/MEAAwards2025
Deadline for nominations is Sunday, February 23 at 11:59pm.
Cherrington Elementary Westerville City Schools
Julie Porretta has over 20 years of teaching experience in Central Ohio. She has taught k-5 music for the last 8 years in Westerville City Schools at Cherrington Elementary.
Julie began her first 12 years of teaching in Gahanna Schools and taught pre-school music with WeJoySing for 4 years. At Cherrington, she has been a part of the Building Leadership Team, Equity and Diversity Team, directs the Morning Show, helps produce student musicals, the school talent show, school-wide Veteran’s Day tribute, and organized the school’s first drama club. At a district level, Julie is a part of the Professional Development Advisory Committee, and Elementary Music Curriculum Team, and has presented at local music professional development and technology conferences. Julie graduated from Otterbein College with dual degrees in Music Education and Applied Tuba Performance. In addition to her undergraduate work, she has her Kodaly Certification from Capital University as well as a Masters Degree in both Curriculum and Instruction and 21st Century Teaching and Learning from Western Governors University. Julie’s music philosophy is grounded in the belief that all students should have the opportunity to access high-quality musical experiences that should serve as the foundation for building music literacy. She strives to create safe, welcoming learning environments where each student is seen, heard, and valued for their unique backgrounds, learning styles, and experiences. When Julie isn’t teaching she’s actively singing in church choir, performing in local musical theater productions, directing camps and workshops, and advocating for the arts in her community.
Westland High School Southwestern City School District
Jeff has been a choral conductor, teacher, music director, worship leader, and soloist since 2002. Jeff is proud to be finishing his twentieth year as the Director of Choirs at Westland High School in the Southwestern City School District.
At Westland, Jeff conducts four choirs and co-conducts the Symphonic Choir with Mrs. Mollie Quick. Under his tenure, Westland’s Vocal Music program has nearly quadrupled in size to become one of the largest choral programs in the South-Western City School District. Choirs under Jeff’s leadership have consistently performed with high levels of success at District and State Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Large Group Contest. Westland choirs have traveled to New York City and Orlando multiple times, as well as Gatlinburg and Nashville, Tennessee. Jeff is an active member of OMEA and served as a site chair for OMEA District 15 Large Group Contest. Jeff also had the pleasure of serving as a co-chair of the 2023 OMEA All-State Choir. Outside of the public school setting, Jeff serves as the Director of Contemporary Music at Hilliard United Methodist Church. He has been a guest worship leader and worship leader trainer for the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church on several occasions. Jeff earned his Bachelor’s of Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Music and Vocal Performance from The Ohio State University, and a Master’s Degree from the University of Cincinnati in Educational Leadership. Jeff lives in Hilliard with his three amazing children Eli, Abby and Jacob.
Worthington Chamber Orchestra & Private Clarinet Studio
Dr. Antoine T. Clark is a dedicated advocate for music education, notably serving as Cincinnati Symphony’s MAC Music Innovator in 2022, a yearlong residency highlighting leading African American classical musicians who embody artistry, innovation, and commitment to education and community engagement.
With a passion for inspiring young musicians, Dr. Clark’s teaching experience spans from beginners to college music majors. He is the Music Director of Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra’s Philharmonia Orchestra. His previous roles include Interim Assistant Professor of Woodwinds at Wayne State College and Adjunct Instructor of Woodwinds at Kenyon College, Ohio Wesleyan University, and Denison University. Dr. Clark has directed orchestras at Ohio Wesleyan University, Ohio Northern University, and Wayne State College.
Dr. Clark actively promotes diversity in classical music, participating in panels such as the Youth Orchestras Online DEI Panel, the Washington Musical Pathway’s Workshop: Career in Music Panel, and the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Workshop Academy. As the founding Artistic and Music Director of the Worthington Chamber Orchestra, he designs educational programs benefiting students in Worthington.
For 16 years, he has provided private woodwind instruction in Central Ohio, guiding students to success in competitions and prestigious ensembles at national, regional, and local levels. Dr. Clark’s influence extends beyond his private lesson studio, with former students majoring in music education at prominent institutions such as The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. Through his multifaceted roles and unwavering dedication, Dr. Antoine T. Clark continues to shape the future of music education.
West Jefferson High School
Mr Broecker grew up in Fort Jennings, Ohio, a very small school in Northwest Ohio, near Lima. He received a BS in Music Education in 1979 from Findlay College.
I have continued my education with Graduate level workshops and classes from a variety of Universities. Mr Broecker has been a Band Director for 43 years in Ohio, the last 16 at West Jefferson. 37 of those years he was the only Band Director in the district. His Bands and students consistently receive Superior and Excellent ratings at OMEA Events. His students were also blessed to work with many guest conductors through the years. People like James Swearingen, and Dr. Jon Woods. Jon Waters, Dr Charles Bates, Tim Swinehart, Ken McCoy, and others. Former students have played in over 28 different college bands, the US Army Bands, US Navy Bands, and community bands. Two have graduated from Berkeley. Many keep in touch as they grow into adults and are teachers, doctors, lawyers, and successful members of society. Mr. Broecker’s Bands have appeared in Washington DC, Virginia Beach, Kentucky Derby Parade, Detroit Thanksgiving Parade, Bahamas Cruise, Ohio Supreme Court Holiday receptions, Rhodes Tower office Building, Orlando, OSU Skull Sessions, Buckeye Invitationals, OSU Mens and Womens Basketball games, and numerous locations around Ohio. Mr Broecker’s teaching philosophy is based on these principles: No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care. Meet every student where they are and direct them to where they need to go. Every student needs to learn how to be a responsible, productive member of society and how to collaborate with other people to survive in the workforce. Making Music is a tool to make better people!