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40 under 40

Liam Keller

Back to 40 Under 40 Liam Keller Director of OrchestrasChatham High School, Lafayette Avenue SchoolChatham, New Jersey Liam Keller, Director of Orchestras at Chatham High School in New Jersey, credits his students’ “dedication, thirst for knowledge and constant chase of that next level of playing” as his driving forces. He’s always finding ways to challenge […]

Lilly Streich

Back to 40 Under 40 Lilly Streich 5-12 Vocal Music TeacherGalena Unit School DistrictGalena, Illinois Lilly Streich always knew she wanted to pursue music. She basically grew up in her father’s drum store, The Drum Pad, and remembers clinics at the store that featured some of the greatest drummers in the area. “I began taking […]

Dr. Aaron J. Witek

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Aaron J. Witek Assistant Professor of Trumpet, Coordinator of Brass and PercussionStetson UniversityDeLand, Florida Since Dr. Aaron J. Witek’s arrival at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, the trumpet studio has tripled in size and has attracted top-tier talent, including all-state-level musicians. The Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Coordinator of […]

Dr. Rachel Woolf

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Rachel Woolf Assistant Professor of Flute The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, Texas Thanks to Dr. Rachel Woolf’s enthusiasm and creative approach to teaching, the flute students at The University of Texas at San Antonio are described as being “on fire.” Woolf fosters student success by building […]

Kim Webb

Back to 40 Under 40 Kim Webb Director of Bands Greene County Tech School District Paragould, Arkansas As Director of Bands at Green County Tech School District in Paragould, Arkansas, Kim Webb promotes the motto “Belong, Believe, Become” with her students. “Make everyone feel like they belong. Believe in yourself and in each other. Become […]

Riley Warren

Back to 40 Under 40 Riley Warren Director of Percussion, Assistant Band Director Forney High School Forney, Texas Several years after joining the Forney High School Band staff as Director of Percussion and Assistant Band Director, Riley Warren started the Forney ISD Middle School Indoor Drumline. “The beauty of this group is that it creates […]

Dr. Andrew Stetson

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Andrew Stetson Director, School of MusicTexas Tech University School of MusicLubbock, Texas Dr. Andrew Stetson, the Director of the School of Music at Texas Tech University, pioneered the Music Humanities program to engage students from diverse academic backgrounds and to highlight the importance of music as an essential tool […]

Michael Schnell

Back to 40 Under 40 Michael Schnell Middle School Band TeacherOostburg School DistrictOostburg, Wisconsin Because Oostburg High School and Oostburg Middle School share the same building, Michael Schnell, the Middle School Band Teacher, proposed starting a Music Production course for high school students. “One of my favorite classes when I was in high school was […]

Annie Ray

Back to 40 Under 40 Annie Ray Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Department ChairAnnandale High School,Annandale,Virginia Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Department Chair Annie Ray launched the Crescendo Orchestra for students with significant and severe disabilities at Annandale High School in Virginia. The seeds of the orchestra started in 2017, when twin brothers with significant […]

Joshua Race

Back to 40 Under 40 Joshua Race Director of Bands Fountain-Fort Carson High School, Fountain, Colorado In Joshua Race’s classes at Fountain-Fort Carson High School in Colorado, students learn more than music — they become more aware of their own thought processes. The Director of Bands uses metacognitive strategies to help students reflect on their […]

Nicholas Popovich

Back to 40 Under 40 Nicholas Popovich Music Technology TeacherShadow Mountain High SchoolPhoenix, Arizona Paradise Valley Unified District in Arizona offers an arts academy, North Valley Arts Academies (NVAA), where K-12 students at Desert Cove Elementary School, Shea Middle School and Shadow Mountain High School can take courses in dance, theater, visual art and music […]

Kate Phillips

Back to 40 Under 40 Kate Phillips PK-5 Music TeacherGrant Avenue Elementary SchoolBronx, New York Before it was popular, Kate Phillips, Grant Avenue Elementary School’s PK-5 Music Teacher, was implementing culturally responsive lessons in her classroom. “As a white teacher originally from a suburban Midwest community, it is essential that my Bronx students engage with […]

Adam Odenwelder

Back to 40 Under 40 Adam Odenwelder Guitar Teacher Belmont Ridge Middle School Leesburg, Virginia There is no status quo for the guitar program at Belmont Ridge Middle School in Leesburg, Virginia, led by Adam Odenwelder. “I’m constantly changing things in order to meet the needs of my students in new and exciting ways,” he […]

Leah Motl

Back to 40 Under 40 Leah Motl Orchestra Teacher IJ Holton Intermediate School Austin, Minnesota The orchestra program at IJ Holton Intermediate School in Austin, Minnesota, has grown in numbers and, more importantly, in students’ passion for music. That’s because Orchestra Teacher Leah Motl encourages and motivates her students in several ways. “Praise progress often,” […]

Kevin Morrison

Back to 40 Under 40 Kevin Morrison Director of BandsLambert High SchoolSuwanee, Georgia Kevin Morrison, the Director of Bands at Lambert High School in Suwanee, Georgia, goes above and beyond to educate the community — especially potential band parents — about the school’s band program. “We use a variety of tools since most of our […]

Coty Raven Morris

Back to 40 Under 40 Coty Raven Morris Hinckley Assistant Professor of Choir, Music Education and Social JusticePortland State UniversityPortland, Oregon As the Hinckley Assistant Professor of Choir, Music Education and Social Justice at Portland State University in Oregon, Coty Raven Morris says that she “has the privilege of teaching and working with a multitude […]

Christopher McCurdy

Back to 40 Under 40 Christopher McCurdy Band DirectorUlysses S. Grant High SchoolPortland, Oregon Band Director Christopher McCurdy believes in a group-first mindset, and he vigorously advocates for it at Ulysses S. Grant High School in Portland, Oregon. “Every student deserves an accessible and comprehensive music education no matter where or when they start,” he […]

Orien Landis

Back to 40 Under 40 Orien Landis Director of BandsAmerican Fork High SchoolAmerican Fork, Utah Many people describe their programs as student-led, but at American Fork High School in Utah, the marching band is just that. According to Director of Bands Orien Landis, “Our student leadership team essentially runs the band program. During the marching […]

Shan Kazmi

Back to 40 Under 40 Shan Kazmi Director of BandsZion-Benton Township High School Zion, Illinois Working at a Title I school like Zion-Benton Township High School can be challenging, but Director of Bands Shan Kazmi only sees the positives. “Our students are great. I know people will say that kids are the same everywhere, but […]

Zane Kaiser

Back to 40 Under 40 Zane Kaiser Band and Orchestra TeacherJustice Page Middle School, Minneapolis Public SchoolsMinneapolis, Minnesota When Zane Kaiser started as the Band and Orchestra Teacher at Justice Page Middle School in Minneapolis, the music program had no budget allocated to it. In the seven years since, Kaiser has built the program and […]

Cody Jackson

Back to 40 Under 40 Cody Jackson Band DirectorHeights Middle School Farmington, New Mexico Band Director Cody Jackson began his tenure at Heights Middle School in Farmington, New Mexico, in the fall of 2020, when the pandemic was at its height and all classes were virtual. He inherited a program of approximately 84 students, all […]

Alex Hitrick

Back to 40 Under 40 Alex Hitrick 7-12 Music Teacher Broadalbin-Perth Jr./Sr. High SchoolBroadalbin, New York Alex Hitrick began teaching at Broadalbin-Perth Jr./Sr. High School, during the attempt to return to normalcy post-COVID in September 2020. The enrollment numbers were pretty dismal. “I had about 20 students in middle school chorus and 12 in high […]

Dr. Cordara X. Harper

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Cordara X. Harper Assistant Professor of Music Education, Choir Director, Music Education Coordinator, Vocal Music CoordinatorGrambling State UniversityGrambling, Louisiana The Grambling State University Concert Choir was founded in 1947 as a glee club. Over its 78-year history, the choir has released two acclaimed albums and garnered significant recognition. Its […]

Bob Habersat

Back to 40 Under 40 Bob Habersat Director, ShedthemusicCommercial Music TeacherOak Lawn Community High SchoolOak Lawn, Illinois Bob Habersat, the Commercial Music Teacher at Oak Lawn Community High School in Illinois, first started recording instructional videos to help his piano students grasp concepts like the bass clef when they missed class. “This allowed them to […]

Dr. Liliana Guerrero

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Liliana Guerrero Assistant Professor of VoiceButler School of Music. University of Texas, AustinAustin, Texas During Dr. Liliana Guerrero’s year as a Teaching Artist for the Austin Opera, she went to local elementary schools to introduce students to the concept of opera by telling them stories, singing some arias and […]

Marissa Guarriello

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Marissa Guarriello Visiting Assistant Professor of String Music EducationUniversity of North CarolinaGreensboro, North Carolina Last summer, as the Director of Music Programming for ArtsQuest, Dr. Marissa Guarriello helped organize a new conference for music educators. “Some of the senior leadership at ArtsQuest was interested in starting a conference for […]

Paul Glader

Back to 40 Under 40 Paul Glader Band and Choir DirectorBethel-Tate Middle SchoolBethel, Ohio Band and Choir Director Paul Glader put his classroom motto on the wall for all his students at Bethel-Tate Middle School in Ohio to see: 1) be kind, 2) strive to be better and 3) love music. “That means having the […]

Lee B. Gibson

Back to 40 Under 40 Lee B. Gibson Assistant Director of BandsBarberton CIty Schools,Barberton, Ohio Lee B. Gibson, the Assistant Director of Bands at Barberton City Schools in Ohio, knows how music education can transform lives. Something as basic as putting instruments in the hands of students can seem to be an insurmountable obstacle. Luckily, […]

Dr. Catheryn Shaw Foster

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Catheryn Shaw Foster Assistant Professor of Practice of Music EducationVirginia TechBlacksburg, Virginia Dr. Catheryn Shaw Foster, Assistant Professor of Practice of Music Education at Virginia Tech, saw a need to help and coalesce music teachers in rural areas, so she co-founded the Rural Band Director Alliance (RBDA). “It started […]

Dr. Sarah Fabian

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Sarah Fabian Director of Bands, Assistant Professor of MusicGardner-Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, North Carolina When Dr. Sarah Fabian, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands, arrived at Gardner-Webb University in Bolling Springs, North Carolina, she revamped the recruitment strategy. She visited high schools, attended music festivals and met with […]

Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich Associate Professor of Music Education and FluteSlippery Rock UniversitySlippery Rock, Pennsylvania Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich, Associate Professor of Music Education and Flute, founded a win-win initiative at Slippery Rock University (SRU) in Pennsylvania that bridges the gap between the school and the surrounding community. SRU’s Early Childhood and […]

Laura Del Rosso

Back to 40 Under 40 Laura Del Rosso Modern Band TeacherLower Manhattan Community Middle School, New York City Public SchoolsNew York, New York “My program is fueled on community and joy,” says Laura Del Rosso, Modern Band Teacher at Lower Manhattan Community Middle School in New York. “I believe that music-making should be FUN, from […]

Lindsay Cummings

Back to 40 Under 40 Lindsay Cummings Artist Faculty, Musical Theatre Voice, The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt UniversityProfessor of Musical Theatre Voice, Loyola University Chicago. Owner of Chicago Music & Acting Academy Executive Director and Founder of Downstage Art Expressing artistry is at the core of the teaching philosophy of Lindsay Cummings, […]

Tanatchaya “Tanya” Chanphanitpornkit

Back to 40 Under 40 Tanatchaya Chanphanitpornkit Director of OrchestrasNyack High School, New YorkLecturer of Music Education, Brooklyn CollegeMusic Director, Crescendo Orchestra of New York Youth Symphony According to Tanatchaya “Tanya” Chanphanitpornkit, the Director of Orchestras at Nyack High School in New York, her main goal with her students is building more than just musical […]

Dr. Gene Butler

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Gene Butler Director of BandsSmiths Station High SchoolSmiths Station, Alabama Dr. Gene Butler is only the third Director of Bands at Smiths Station High School in Alabama since 1972. The other two — Mr. Rick Teel and Dr. Rusty Courson — were Butler’s band directors during his middle school […]

Nick Blue

Back to 40 Under 40 Nick Blue Assistant Director of BandsFranklin High SchoolFranklin, Tennessee Nick Blue was recently named the Assistant Director of Bands at Franklin High School in Tennessee. The school’s band is a seven-time Tennessee State Marching Band Champion and has marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade, twice in the Macy’s Thanksgiving […]

Michael Blanco

Back to 40 Under 40 Michael Blanco Assistant Director of MariachiLas Vegas High SchoolLas Vegas, Nevada Imagine being invited to perform at the White House with your ensemble! That’s what happened to Michael Blanco, Assistant Director of Mariachi at Las Vegas High School. In the fall of 2024, Mariachi Joya, the school’s award-winning group, was […]

Erin Barra

Back to 40 Under 40 Erin Barra Executive Director, We Make Noise Assistant Professor and Director of the Popular Music ProgramArizona State University Empowerment is a core value for Erin Barra, the Executive Director of We Make Noise and an Assistant Professor and Director of the Popular Music Program at Arizona State University. “Empowerment seeps […]

Evan Aguilar

Back to 40 Under 40 Evan Aguilar Director of Choral and Piano Activities Cibola High SchoolAlbuquerque Public SchoolsNew Mexico Collaboration is a key component of Evan Aguilar’s music program at Cibola High School in New Mexico. As the Director of Choral and Piano Activities at Cibola as well as at Albuquerque Public Schools, Aguilar has […]

40 Under 40 – 2025

2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” — Music Education Excellence Yamaha launched the “40 Under 40” music education advocacy program in 2021 to celebrate and recognize outstanding young music educators who are making a difference by growing and strengthening their music programs. Now, we celebrate our fifth group of remarkable educators whose classrooms are safe spaces […]

Jacob Abbott

Back to 40 Under 40 Jacob Abbott Performing Arts DirectorDresden High SchoolDresden, Tennessee The music program at Dresden High School in Tennessee went from “zero to hero” in the time that Jacob Abbott has served as its Performing Arts Director. Before Abbott came to Dresden, there was only one Music Appreciation class offered. Now, there […]

Dr. Jessica Vaughan-Marra

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Jessica Vaughan-Marra Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music EducationSeton Hill UniversityGreensburg, Pennsylvania When Dr. Jessica Vaughan-Marra started her undergraduate degree in music education at Duquesne University in 2002, she envisioned teaching beginning instrumentalists for her whole career. As she journeyed into music teacher education, her view changed. […]

Kyle D. Phillips

Back to 40 Under 40 Kyle D. Phillips Band DirectorPrinceton High SchoolCincinnati, Ohio During the 2020 season, Princeton High School Band Director Kyle D. Phillips saw half of his students every other week, which made it extremely difficult to rehearse marching band and it also limited performance opportunities. Because of the pandemic, the already abbreviated […]

Kevin Longwill

Back to 40 Under 40 Kevin Longwill Music Industry Teacher, Director of Modern Music Makers (M3)Abington School DistrictAbington, Pennsylvania During the pandemic, Music Industry Teacher Kevin Longwill started Modern Music Makers (M3) so that Abington School District students could continue to make music with their friends by recording projects using a cloud-based digital audio workstation […]

Julie Anne Russell

Back to 40 Under 40 Julie Anne Russell Orchestra DirectorBlythewood High SchoolBlythewood, South Carolina Blythewood High School Orchestra Director Julie Anne Russell has found several ways to bridge the gap between middle school and high school orchestra programs. First, she reconnected with colleague Netta Hadari to perform his piece, “Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks […]

Matthew Rupert

Back to 40 Under 40 Matthew Rupert Co-Founder, Clarinet/Piano Faculty, Little Mission StudioCo-Founder, President of the Board, Make More Music FoundationSan Francisco, California Little Mission Studio launched in 2014 to help meet the need for quality music education in San Francisco. Matthew Rupert and the other co-founders of the studio had been teaching privately out […]

Ben Pedersen

Back to 40 Under 40 Ben Pedersen Director of BandsForeman College and Career AcademyChicago, Illinois In Fall 2020, Ben Pedersen was hired as the Director of Bands at Foreman College and Career Academy to restart the band program, which had been dormant for years. He spent the summer before inventorying equipment and watching hours of […]

Cale Patton

Back to 40 Under 40 Cale Patton Music TeacherGillespie Technology Magnet Cluster SchoolChicago, Illinois In 2011, Cale Patton started teaching at Dawes Elementary School, part of the Chicago Public Schools system. At that point, music consisted of music on a cart with no instruments and certainly no ensembles. She spent over a decade building a […]

Dr. Stephen C. Page

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Stephen C. Page Associate Professor of Saxophone and Director of Undergraduate StudiesThe University of Texas at Austin Butler School of MusicAustin, Texas It’s safe to say that if you’re a student of Dr. Stephen Page, Associate Professor of Saxophone at The University of Texas at Austin Butler School of […]

Allison Paetz

Back to 40 Under 40 Allison Paetz Vocal Music TeacherRocky River High SchoolRocky River, Ohio Rocky River High School’s Vocal Music Teacher Allison Paetz enlists the community and engages students when teaching global music. “I love performing music from all over the world, but I am certainly not an expert in every culture,” she says. […]

Christopher Noce

Back to 40 Under 40 Christopher Noce Director of Bands and OrchestrasConcord-Carlisle High SchoolConcord, Massachusetts “No cowards” may be a strange message to share with students, but Director of Bands and Orchestras Christopher Noce uses that phrase for students to know that they can safely and confidently make mistakes during rehearsals. “The biggest difference between […]

Alex Mutz

Back to 40 Under 40 Alex Mutz director of bandsSam L. Martin Middle SchoolAustin, Texas The band at Sam L. Martin Middle School has a large Hispanic population with many coming from Central and South America who speak little English. Over 92% of band members are economically disadvantaged and a large portion have at least […]

Adam Murray

Back to 40 Under 40 Adam Murray Orchestra Director, Music Department ChairPort Clinton City SchoolsPort Clinton, Ohio Small schools don’t mean weak music programs! That’s the mantra often repeated by Orchestra Director and Music Department Chair Adam Murray, who teaches at Port Clinton City Schools, a small district with about 85 students in the orchestra […]

Kimberly Kraft McLemore

Back to 40 Under 40 Kimberly Kraft McLemore Vice President of Education and Community EngagementNashville SymphonyNashville, Tennessee The Nashville Symphony’s education programming is designed to support the city’s students and educators and provide experiences that supplement and enhance the school curriculum. “We are always eager to collaborate and design new programming with our city to […]

Andrew Muth

Back to 40 Under 40 Andrew Muth Director of Bands and Director of Performing ArtsWestfield High SchoolWestfield, Indiana Westfield High School’s music program was in dire need of revitalization. That’s when Director of Bands and Performing Arts Andrew Muth stepped in. “A successful program isn’t built in a day or a single year. We knew […]

Kacee Sanders

Back to 40 Under 40 Kacee Sanders Band Director, DuPont Hadley Middle SchoolExecutive Director, Southeastern Women in Music SymposiumTennessee Band Director Kacee Sanders is a firm believer in building independent musicians where her only role in the classroom is to act as a facilitator. The goal is for her students at DuPont Hadley Middle School […]

Dr. Jessie M. Vallejo

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Jessie M. Vallejo Associate Professor of EthnomusicologyCalifornia State Polytechnic University, PomonaPomona, California How difficult is it to teach music in a STEM-focused school like California State Polytechnic University, Pomona? Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology Dr. Jessie M. Vallejo finds it enjoyable to teach courses that foster creativity, problem-solving, beauty, social […]

Dr. Paulina Villarreal

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Paulina Villarreal Assistant Professor of VoiceUniversity of Memphis, Rudi E. Scheidt School of MusicMemphis, TennesseeFounder and Artistic Director, Cantos para el Mundo Like most higher education institutions, the song repertoire curriculum at the University of Memphis focused on “standard” Western classical repertoire. When Dr. Paulina Villarreal joined the faculty […]

Christopher Lape

Back to 40 Under 40 Christopher Lape Orchestra DirectorUpper Arlington High SchoolUpper Arlington, Ohio At Upper Arlington High School, Orchestra Director Christopher Lape took the lead in adapting the curriculum from every other day to everyday instruction. “It’s been a collaborative and continuing effort with my colleagues,” he explains. “There’s significantly more room for growth […]

Dr. Jacquelyn Lankford

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Jacquelyn Lankford Assistant Professor of TrumpetMississippi State UniversityStarkville Mississippi Promoting the role of women in music, and in particular trumpet composition and playing, is a huge driving force for Dr. Jacquelyn Lankford, Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Mississippi State University. She created the Women Composing for Trumpet (WCFT) Competition […]

Lily Ianaconi

Back to 40 Under 40 Lily Ianaconi 9-12 Instrumental Music TeacherFranklin Academy High SchoolMalone, New York Providing meaningful and memorable performance opportunities is vital to Lily Ianaconi’s role as a 9-12 Instrumental Music Instructor at Franklin Academy High School. Last year, the wind ensemble performed the piece “I Am Enough” by Marie Douglas, which was […]

Dr. Richard Hutton

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Richard Hutton Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education and Assistant Director of Choral ActivitiesBoise State University Boise, Idaho Boise State University embraces innovation in an interdisciplinary way — something they call “Blue Turf Thinking” (named after the famous blue turf at its football field). Dr. Richard Hutton, Assistant Professor […]

Miguel Hidalgo

Back to 40 Under 40 Miguel Hidalgo Music Teacher and Music Director Esperanza Academy Charter School Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Music Director Miguel Hidalgo takes his role as a Latino teaching at Esperanza Academy Charter School, which primarily serves children of color, seriously. “Being a role model for my students is extremely important to me. This representation […]

Brad Hart

Back to 40 Under 40 Brad Hart Instrumental Music TeacherPeter Johansen High SchoolModesto, California Inclusive is the best way to describe the music program at Peter Johansen High School. Instrumental Music Teacher Brad Hart oversees the United Sound chapter at the school, which pairs students with special needs, called “New Musicians” with band members, called […]

Dennis Giotta

Back to 40 Under 40 Dennis Giotta Music TeacherSoutheast Local School DistrictApple Creek, Ohio Music Teacher Dennis Giotta at Southeast Local School District established a music technology class to equip students with contemporary skills while nurturing their passion for music. The goal of the class is to prepare students not just for today, but to […]

Allison Figueroa

Back to 40 Under 40 Allison Figueroa Assistant Band and Choral DirectorParkland High SchoolAllentown, Pennsylvania At Parkland High School, the music department is one of the three pillars that deﬁne the philosophy of the district: Arts, Athletics and Academics. “Even with this level of support, advocacy always remains an active part of the job. Being […]

Nicholas A. Fields

Back to 40 Under 40 Nicholas A. Fields Band DirectorEdgewood City SchoolsTrenton, Ohio Nicholas Fields, the Band Director at Edgewood City Schools, doesn’t take the responsibility of his job lightly. “A good band/music director gives students a sense of belonging and helps build character, confidence and discipline. These are all traits that build good people […]

Jeff Driscoll

Back to 40 Under 40 Jeff Driscoll Music TeacherMonroe Elementary SchoolBartonville, Illinois “I always say that I can’t do anything more for kids than to just show them the way. They must first be open to it,” says Monroe Elementary School Music Teacher Jeff Driscoll. However, Driscoll has done much more than just show students […]

Gillian Desmarais

Back to 40 Under 40 Gillian Desmarais K-12 Music Technology and EngineeringHarmony Learning CenterMaplewood, Minnesota The music program at Harmony Learning Center is among the first in the state to offer music production and engineering for students. “It would be my dream to see more programs like this available, especially for students in underserved communities […]

Mallory A. Dekker

Back to 40 Under 40 Mallory A. Dekker Executive Director and InstructorBlack Hills Studios of the ArtsRapid City, South Dakota The nonprofit Black Hills Studios of the Arts (BHSA) was born from a for-profit concept: Bringing excellent music instructors to one place to provide various music instruction. “This one-stop-shop allows parents of multiple children or […]

Jessica Corry

Back to 40 Under 40 Jessica Corry Band DirectorPlank Junior High SchoolOswego, Illinois Plank Junior High has unique and hard-working students, according to Band Director Jessica Corry. “Working at a Title 1 school can sometimes feel like you are constantly dealing with a broken system, but once you have a little bit of success with […]

Jena Combs

Back to 40 Under 40 Jena Combs Director of Musical ActivitiesFlora High SchoolFlora, Illinois During her second year at Flora High School, Director of Musical Activities Jena Combs completely revitalized the music program. She reintroduced choir, drama and music appreciation classes, started a rock and jazz bands, launched a beginner guitar and ukulele class (and […]

Raymond William Cannon

Back to 40 Under 40 Raymond William Cannon Director of Beginning BandAddison School District 4Addison, Illinois Growing a small music program with limited resources takes vision and a lot of hard work. Director of Beginning Band Raymond William Cannon credits his fellow performing arts colleagues in Addison School District 4, an elementary district of nine […]

Charlene Cannon

Back to 40 Under 40 Charlene Cannon Band DirectorHorizon High SchoolWinter Garden, Florida Changing jobs is always stressful, but moving to a brand-new school is particularly daunting. From day one, Horizon High School Band Director Charlene Cannon focused on building a culture of teamwork and collaboration between all sections to ensure that students would be […]

Douglas Brown

Back to 40 Under 40 Douglas Brown Director of Bands, Jazz Ensembles, Hip Hop and Digital MusicMiddleton High SchoolMiddleton, WIsconsin Director of Bands Douglas Brown has a deep passion for traditional music forms like band, choir and orchestra, but he knows that these aren’t the preferred mediums for all students at Middleton High School. “To […]

Tony Boldt

Back to 40 Under 40 Tony Boldt Director of BandsKasson-Mantorville High SchoolKasson, Minnesota Being part of caring and thoughtful communities is what making music is all about, according to Director of Bands Tony Boldt. “Throughout my career at Kasson-Mantorville High School, one aspect of music making that I have enjoyed the most is having different […]

Adam Bodony

Back to 40 Under 40 Adam Bodony Assistant Professor and Director of Orchestras,Purdue UniversityArtistic Director, Indianapolis Youth OrchestraIndiana Under Adam Bodony’s tenure as Assistant Professor and Director of Orchestras at Purdue University, the orchestra program has experienced remarkable growth. The number of students enrolled in orchestra has grown by more than a whopping 85% — […]

Dr. Benjamin Bergey

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Benjamin Bergey Assistant Professor of MusicEastern Mennonite UniversityHarrisonburg, Virginia Knowing the immense power of music, Dr. Benjamin Bergey established an interdisciplinary major called Music and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. “While many musicians and ensemble directors know on various levels that music helps to bring people together and make […]

Jeremy Bartunek

Back to 40 Under 40 Jeremy Bartunek Music Teacher and Children’s Choir DirectorGreenbriar School, Northbrook District 28Northbrook, Illinois Collaboration is valued at Greenbriar School, and music teacher Jeremy Bartunek finds many opportunities to collaborate with his colleagues and students to promote music, creativity and independence. Along with the school’s art teacher, he has developed full […]

40 Under 40 – 2024

2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” — Music Education Excellence In 2021, Yamaha launched the “40 Under 40” music education advocacy program to honor educators who are making a difference in growing and strengthening their music programs. Now, we celebrate the 2024 group of remarkable educators who bring innovation and passion into their classrooms. These 40 […]

Dr. Tigran Arakelyan

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Tigran Arakelyan Music Director,Tacoma Music Collaborative Executive Director, Music Works NorthwestWashington Providing access to music education is the driving force behind Dr. Tigran Arakelyan’s work at the Tacoma Music Collaborative (previously called the Orchestral Recital Series of Tacoma). As the Music Director, he has developed and continued programs that […]

Dr. Angela Ammerman

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Angela Ammerman Adjunct Professor of Music EducationGeorge Mason UniversityFairfax, Virginia Dr. Angela Ammerman believes that teaching music is a calling. “Not only have I had the honor to be called to teach, but I have been called to teach teachers,” she says. As an Adjunct Professor of Music Education, […]

40 Under 40 — Nominate a Deserving Music Educator Today!

Yamaha wants to recognize and celebrate the top 40 music educators under 40 years old. Nominate an exceptional music teacher today!

Sepulvado James

Back to 40 Under 40 James Sepulvado Performing Arts Department Chair,Associate Professor of MusicCuyamaca CollegeRancho San Diego, California Providing opportunities for music students and music teachers to learn to be better players and educators has been a driving motivator for James Sepulvado, the Performing Arts Department Chair and Associate Professor of Music at Cuyamaca College […]

Sims Dylan

Back to 40 Under 40 Dylan Sims Director of BandsYork Middle SchoolYork, South Carolina The band program at York Middle School in South Carolina is above all, a nurturing environment, thanks to Director of Bands Dylan Sims. “I have a very diverse band program,” he says. “We have students of varying cultures, economic standings, and […]

Smith Marcus D.

Back to 40 Under 40 Marcus D. Smith Choral Director, Music EducatorBaltimore City CollegeBaltimore, Maryland Baltimore City College, the third oldest high school in the United States, has always been a school of music excellence with wonderful performance opportunities. However, in 2021, the school’s choir received an unbelievable opportunity to perform with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra […]

Willis Franklin J.

Back to 40 Under 40 Franklin J. Willis Adjunct Professor of Music EducationVanderbilt University, Blair School of Music,Community Impact DirectorCMA FoundationNashville, Tennessee Think bigger in order to serve students! That’s the message you’ll hear from Franklin J. Willis, a trailblazer and catalyst for change in the music education space. As a former elementary music instructional […]

Williams Jeremy

Back to 40 Under 40 Jeremy Williams Band DirectorL.H. Marrero Middle SchoolMarrero, Louisiana People living in and around New Orleans have a deep affinity for the area’s music and culture. They also have incredible resilience to deal with natural disasters like hurricanes. Jeremy Williams, the Band Director at L.H. Marrero Middle School, definitely has both. […]

White Greg

Back to 40 Under 40 Greg White Director of BandsRonald Reagan High SchoolSan Antonio, Texas Focus is the key to the success of the Ronald Reagan High School band program. Director of Bands Greg White says that keeping students focused comes primarily from the preparation he and his team put into rehearsals. “We hold that […]

Wigglesworth Tyler

Back to 40 Under 40 Tyler Wigglesworth Choir Director, Performing Arts Academy Coordinator, Vocal Music DirectorWest Covina High SchoolWest Covina, California When charged with starting the West Covina High School Performing Arts Academy, Choir Director Tyler Wigglesworth jumped right in. Together with the theater, band and dance teachers, Wigglesworth’s goal was to provide high-quality performing […]

Tovar Jabari

Back to 40 Under 40 Jabari Tovar Instrumental Music Teacher,Percussion SpecialistSalem Public SchoolsSalem, Massachusetts Developing a culturally responsive curriculum is one of the tenets of Jabari Tovar’s teaching philosophy. The instrumental music teacher and percussion specialist at Salem Public Schools in Massachusetts says, “I’m fortunate to work in a community as diverse as Salem. Our […]

Thorpe Theodore III

Back to 40 Under 40 Theodore Thorpe III Director of Choral ActivitiesAlexandria City High SchoolAlexandria, Virginia Described as “inspiring students to soar” by the Alexandria Times, Theodore Thorpe III, the Director of Choral Activities at Alexandria City High School (formerly TC Williams). in Virginia, is known to empower students by instilling discipline and work ethic. […]

Sexton Timothy S. Dr.

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Timothy S. Sexton Associate Director of BandsTarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the ArtsTarpon Springs, Florida Potential and progress are critical, not perfection. That’s the message that Dr. Timothy S. Sexton, the Associate Director of Bands at the Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts in Florida, wants his students […]

Oliver William Dr.

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. William Oliver Director of University Bands, Assistant Professor of Music EducationHuston-Tillotson UniversityAustin, Texas Dr. William Oliver proved that he was “all in” when he arrived at Huston-Tillotson University (HT) in Austin as Assistant Professor of Music Education. “I wanted to learn about the community, so I sought resources and […]

Manela Nerissa

Back to 40 Under 40 Nerissa Manela PhD Student, Teaching AssistantUniversity of MiamiCoral Gables, Florida Nerissa Manela is at a unique crossroads between teaching in K-12 classrooms and community outreach programs and pursuing her doctorate degree. For six years, Manela taught in Title I public schools, where she often utilized innovative technology into her curriculum. […]

Lowry Paul

Back to 40 Under 40 Paul Lowry Director of Bands, Percussion and Jazz StudiesDepartment Chair, Performing ArtsDel Sol Academy of the Performing ArtsLas Vegas, Nevada “When you are student- and ensemble-focused, great things can happen,” says Paul Lowry, the Director of Bands, Percussion and Jazz Studies at Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts in […]

Jenkins Larry Professor

Back to 40 Under 40 Professor Larry Jenkins Professor, Assistant Director of BandsTennessee State UniversityNashville, Tennessee The band program at Tennessee State University in Nashville is often referred to as “A Band of Firsts.” Assistant Director of Bands Larry Jenkins explains that the band is the first HBCU band to perform during a presidential inauguration […]

Jefferson Joseph L. Dr.

Back to 40 Under 40 Dr. Joseph L. Jefferson Director of Jazz Studies,Associate Professor of Trombone and EuphoniumSoutheast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, Missouri Helping students find their passion and accomplish their goals are the best parts of being an educator, according Dr. Joseph L. Jefferson, Associate Professor of Trombone and Euphonium and Director of Jazz […]

Gullickson Matt

Back to 40 Under 40 Matt Gullickson Band DirectorEastview High SchoolApple Valley, Minnesota Connection is the key to Band Director Matt Gullickson’s program at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota. “Music is an incredible catalyst,” he says. “For me, the greatest expression of teaching is having true connectedness with students.” Although Gullickson implements some […]

Graves Corey L.

Back to 40 Under 40 Corey L. Graves Director of BandsTony A. Jackson Middle SchoolForney, Texas At Tony A. Jackson Middle School in Forney, Texas, the band hall is a fun place! That’s because Director of Bands Corey L. Graves has invested heavily in relationship building. “When you walk into our band hall, you see […]