The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum have announced the finalists for the 2026 Music Educator Award. The finalists include 10 music teachers from 10 cities across 10 states. In total, more than 2,000 initial nominations from 50 states were submitted. The recipient of the 2026 Music Educator Award will be recognized during GRAMMY Week 2026, days ahead of the 2026 GRAMMYS.
View the full list of finalists for the 2026 Music Educator Award below.
About The Music Educator Award:
Presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum, the Music Educator Award recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in schools.
The Music Educator Award program, including honorariums, is made possible by the generosity and support of The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation. In addition, the American Choral Directors Association, NAMM Foundation, National Association for Music Education, and National Education Association support the Music Educator Award program through outreach to their constituencies.
Music Educator Award Honoree Process:
The Music Educator Award is open to current U.S. music teachers. Anyone can nominate a teacher, including students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers can also nominate themselves. Nominated teachers are notified and invited to complete an application.
Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students' lives. The final honoree will receive a $10,000 honorarium and a matching grant for their school's music program. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium and matching grants. The remaining 15 semifinalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants.
Nominations For The 2027 Music Educator Award
Nominations for the 2027 Music Educator Award are now open.
Nominations for the 2027 Music Educator Award are due Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Applications for the 2027 Music Educator Award are due Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
2026 MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD FINALISTS
| Name | School Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean-Paul Balmat | Mission Bay High School | San Diego | California |
| Stephen Blanco | Las Vegas High School | Las Vegas | Nevada |
| Jasmine Fripp | Tennessee State University | Nashville | Tennessee |
| Lisa Sunset Holt | Cedar Park High School | Cedar Park | Texas |
| Alyson Humphrey Smith | A.C. Steere Elementary School | Shreveport | Louisiana |
| Jennifer Jimenez | South Miami Sr. High School | Miami | Florida |
| Kevin McDonald | Wellesley High School | Wellesley | Massachusetts |
| Bill Podolski | H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program | Arlington | Virginia |
| Kevin Schoenbach | Oswego High School | Oswego | Illinois |
| Matthew Shephard | Meridian Early College High School | Sanford | Michigan |