2016 Music Educator Award™ Semifinalists

(in alpha order)

Bonnie Anderson

Coronado Village Elementary – Universal City, TX

“I am elated to be chosen as a GRAMMY Music Educator Award™ semifinalist because it is a chance to give

recognition to a world music view of teaching music! This is an opportunity for me to bring attention to the fact

that people can learn to make music without being limited to a printed page, which sometimes only leads

to reproducing music not creating it.”

Ben Case

Northwood High School – Irvine, CA

“To say that I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition would be a gross understatement. For as

long as I can remember, it has been my goal to share my love and passion for the arts with others, and to now be in

such elite company for simply living my dream truly transcends words.”

Caleb Chapman

Pioneer High School for the Performing Arts – American Fork, UT

“I have been so impressed by the work the GRAMMY Foundation has done to keep our school music programs

strong and relevant! So it is a true honor to be recognized by them as a semifinalist for the Music Educator Award

and be listed among several of our nation’s finest music educators.”

Joyce Click

North Central High School – Indianapolis, IN

“As a GRAMMY Music Educator Award semifinalist, I am honored to represent passionate educators who have

influenced my career as well as thousands of students who have excelled in my classroom. I am grateful to the GRAMMY

Foundation for recognizing that youth are extraordinarily impacted by high-quality performing arts

instruction and performance opportunities, empowering them to become lifelong music enthusiasts.”

James Russell Cooper

Henry County High School – New Castle, KY

“I am both humbled and thrilled to learn of my selection for the semifinals in the GRAMMY Music Educator Award.

I would like to thank my supportive family, life-long teachers, colleagues, and the turtles.”

Mike Dana

Fresno City College – Fresno, CA

“I am thrilled to be selected as a semifinalist for the 2016 Music Educator Award. I’d like to thank The Recording

Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation for this honor, my amazing students, who allow me to share my passion, and

to congratulate my fellow semifinalists, whose dedication affects so many young people.”

Krista Fanning

Caddo Middle Magnet – Shreveport, LA

“The honor of this nomination is one that I must share with my students, who are my inspiration, my focus, and who

cause me to wake each day with anticipation of great things to come! Thank you, GRAMMY Foundation, for creating a

venue that allows music teachers to promote the benefits of music education in the development of a young mind!”

Anne Fennell

Mission Vista High School – Oceanside, CA

“I truly feel honored to know that of the 1,000s of incredible music educators in the United States, I was chosen

as a semifinalist for the 2016 Music Educator Award.I love my work and my students and am honored to be recognized

for my passion and love for music and teaching. I only hope that my students will see that doing

what they love can create a wonderful life!”

Doreen Fryling

South Side High School – Rockville Centre, NY

“Reaching the semifinalist round for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award is an honor I could have never

imagined. I am appreciative of this recognition and for the work the GRAMMY Foundation does to promote and

support music education.”

Frank Gawle

Wilton High School – Wilton, CT

“Great teachers everywhere strive daily to actively engage students through their discipline and do so by making

personal positive connections with kids that lead to life-long enthusiasm for learning. I believe this award brings

recognition to the teaching profession for all the right reasons, and I am both honored and humbled to be a

representative of all the great colleagues that love this job as much as I do.”

Alan Guckian

Eastside Memorial High – Austin, TX

“I have to admit it is absolutely amazing to be recognized, but I do everything I do for my students. If I am recognized

for anything, it is because my students have taken my lessons to heart and worked tremendously hard to

elevate themselves. They deserve all the accolades I can throw their way, because without their efforts, I am

nothing! This recognition is more of a reflection of their dedication and commitment than anything else. The

positive publicity this process has brought to our school has truly been a blessing, and we thank you for allowing

us to get this far in the process!”

Keith Hancock

Tesoro High School – Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

"Teaching music is the greatest job in the world, for we not only get to share our passion with wonderful students,

but we watch them mature into outstanding musicians and people, we give them positive and educational musical

experiences, and we help to create memories they will remember and treasure their whole lives. I am truly honored

to have been selected as a semifinalist for this prestigious award, and I share this with not only my former teachers

and colleagues that have instilled so much knowledge in me, but with my current and former students who have

brought so much joy and education to my life."

Peter Holsberg

The Berkeley Carroll School – Brooklyn, NY

"I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition from the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation for

doing what I love to do: teach music. I share this recognition with all of my teachers, mentors, colleagues, and

students, for they are all a part of who I am as a teacher."

Kathryn Ingerson

Thousands Islands High/Middle School – Clayton, NY

“It is a great honor to be recognized by the GRAMMY Foundation. I feel especially indebted to this organization for

their support of music educators and all of their work in the realm of music education, particularly at a time where music

programs are in jeopardy. Your support will help us continue our life's work and ensure that every child has the

musical experiences they need.”

Darren McCoy

Oak Harbor High School – Oak Harbor, WA

“I am grateful for, and honored by, the recognition of the GRAMMY Foundation. I hope every music teacher

can experience the invaluable community support that makes these achievements possible.”

Richard McCready

River Hill High School – Clarksville, MD

“I am honored and humbled to be nominated for the 2016 GRAMMY Foundation Music Educator Award, and to be

selected as a semifinalist. I am extraordinarily fortunate to work in a community of outstanding and dedicated students,

parents, administrators and colleagues, who enable daily music making

and teaching to be a true joy.”

DiAnne Mott

Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central District – St. Johnsville, NY

“It is humbling to be honored for doing what I love. Whatever I accomplish is a result of God working through

my weaknesses, and a reflection of the great people who surround me. I am truly blessed!”

Timothy Powell

Martin Methodist College – Pulaski, TN

"I am so humbled to receive this recognition. Truly, this award is a reflection of the wonderful students that I have had

the privilege to mentor, as well as the talented and dedicated colleagues with whom I've been honored to work with."

Penelope Quesada

Lincoln Elementary School – Louisville, KY

"I am extremely honored and humbled to be recognized by the GRAMMY Foundation. This is a recognition of amazing,

talented students that work hard every day because of their love and appreciation for music. This is also an

acknowledgment to all exceptional and creative music educators in our country. Thank you so much to The Recording

Academy and GRAMMY Foundation for advocating for music education in our schools."

Ulli Reiner

Poway Unified School District – San Marcos, CA

“It is truly humbling and a great honor to receive the GRAMMY Foundation Music Educator Award semifinalist

recognition, and to represent all the outstanding educators across this nation that dedicate their lives to the enrichment

of students of all ages in the joys of music making. Music education holds the key to the future generations for peace

and tolerance through its ability to connect the language of music to the diverse cultures and languages of our world. As

Wizard said in August Rush, ‘You know what music is? God's little reminder that there's something else besides us in this

universe, a harmonic connection between all living beings, everywhere and the stars.’”

Phillip Riggs

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics – Durham, NC

“There is no greater recognition than being nominated by a former student who is now a successful music teacher. My

efforts to foster music education in North Carolina really stand on the shoulders of numerous students, parents, peers,

administrators, and communities that value quality music in our society.”

Bill Swick

Las Vegas Academy of the Arts – Las Vegas, NV

“It is a great honor to be recognized by the GRAMMY Foundation as one of the 25 semifinalists for the 2016 Music

Educator Award. I am most grateful for the efforts of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation to support

music education and provide recognition to music students and their teachers.”

Brayer Teague

Downers Grove North High School – Downers Grove, IL

“I am honored beyond measure to have been named a semifinalist for the 2016 GRAMMY Music Educator Award.

I consider it a true privilege to share my love of music and the arts with students each day, and I am grateful to the

GRAMMY Foundation for shining the spotlight on music education in our schools.”

Linda Versprille

Cane Bay High School – Summerville, SC

“I am deeply honored that the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and the GRAMMY Foundation have

chosen to recognize a teacher who believes that the magic in music facilitates learning in all areas of life.”

Lois Wiggins

Edythe J. Hayes Middle School – Lexington, KY

“The GRAMMY Music Educator Award semifinalist notification is a cherished validation of my passion for music

education and a shared tribute to all the music educators who influenced me and who enrich the lives of young people. I

am honored to represent my students, colleagues, and school, and all those who have walked this

rewarding path!”