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Chris R. Millett

Meet Chris R. Millett, Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Tiphanie L. McClenton

Meet Tiphanie L. McClenton, Elementary Music Specialist at Bryant Elementary School in Georgia, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Jake Matheson

Meet Jake Matheson, Band Teacher at Forest Lake Area Middle School in Minnesota, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Aron Kontorovich

Meet Aron Kontorovich, Marching Band Director and Director of Piano at James Madison High School in New York, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Keith Ziolkowski

Meet Keith Ziolkowski, Orchestra Teacher at Creekside Middle School in Indiana, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Sarah Williams

Meet Sarah Williams, Band Director at West Junior High School in Pennsylvania, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Alex Whitehead

Meet Alex Whitehead, Director of Bands at Jefferson Middle School in Indiana, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Daniel Upton, Jr.

Meet Daniel Upton, Jr., Director of Bands at Harrisonburg High School and Adjunct Music Faculty at Bridgewater College in Virginia, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Enrique Tellez

Meet Enrique Tellez, Director of Bands and Orchestras at Butler Middle School in Utah, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Luis “Tito” Talamantes

Meet Luis “Tito” Talamantes, Interim Assistant Professor at Cesar Chavez High School and Mariachi Director at the University of the Pacific in California, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Erik Stone

Meet Erik Stone, Band Director and Vocal Music/Media Arts Teacher at Gordon Parks Academy in Kansas, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Shannon Stem

Meet Shannon Stem, K-8 Music Teacher and 6-8 Musical Theater Director at University Academy in Florida, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Eric Stashek

Meet Eric Stashek, Director of Bands at Lincoln Jr./Sr. High School in Minnesota, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Andrew J. Smouse

Meet Dr. Andrew J. Smouse, Co-Director of Bands and Orchestras at Valley High School in Nevada, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Matt Siffert

Meet Matt Siffert, Director of External Affairs with the Musical Mentors Collaborative in Colorado, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Sonya Schumann

Meet Dr. Sonya Schumann, Lecturer of Piano and Community Music School Piano Coordinator at San Diego State University in California, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Trevor Rundell

Meet Trevor Rundell, Band Director at Bartlett High School in Tennessee, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Sean Rosenberry

Meet Sean Rosenberry, General Music Teacher and Director of Bands at Horace Mann School Lower Division in New York, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Al Rodriguez

Meet Al Rodriguez, Orchestra Director at Mount Vernon High School in Virginia, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Rolando Rivera

Meet Rolando Rivera, Mariachi Director at Diamond Hill – Jarvis High School in Texas, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Catherine Plichta

Meet Catherine Plichta, Director of Instrumental Music at The Theater Arts Production Company School in New York, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

DeVon Pickett

Meet DeVon Pickett, Director of Arts with the Scotland County Schools, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Kyle Norris

Meet Kyle Norris, Assistant Director of Bands at Vandegrift High School in Texas, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Amrutha Murthy

Meet Amrutha Murthy, Band Director at Park Vista Community High School in Florida, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Meghan Mulligan

Meet Meghan Mulligan, Music Teacher at The Deron School in New Jersey, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Kasey Julian

Meet Kasey Julian, Vocal and General Music Teacher at Orchard Hills Elementary School in Michigan, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Kyle Hutchins

Meet Dr. Kyle Hutchins, Assistant Professor of Practice in Saxophone at Virginia Tech, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Heather Hurley

Meet Heather Hurley, Director of Bands at Princeton Community Middle School in Ohio, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Matthew Gramata

Meet Matthew Gramata, Band Director at West Milford Township High School in New Jersey, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Elaina Gallas

Meet Elaina Gallas, Music Teacher and Choral Director at Mill Creek Elementary in Tennessee, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Joshua Emanuel

Meet Joshua Emanuel, Music Teacher at A. MacArthur Barr Middle School in New York, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Heather Barclay Drusedum

Meet Heather Barclay Drusedum, Director of Choirs at Tarkanian Middle School in Nevada, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. David Dockan

Meet Dr. David Dockan, Assistant Professor of Music Education at Louisiana State University, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Brittany Dacy

Meet Brittany Dacy, Director of Bands at Westwood High School in Texas, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Ashley Cobb

Meet Ashley Cobb, General Music Teacher at Catawba Trail Elementary School in South Carolina, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Mary Claxton

Meet Mary Claxton, Director of Teaching & Learning at Music Will in Colorado, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Francis Cathlina

Meet Dr. Francis Cathlina, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Memphis in Tennessee, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Ben Byrom

Meet Ben Byrom, Music Teacher at Raleigh Oak Charter School in North Carolina, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Zachary Arenz

Meet Zachary Arenz, Instrumental and General Music Teacher at Flower City School No. 54 in New York, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Ryan Adair

Meet Ryan Adair, Director of Bands at Salem Hills High School in Utah, who was recognized as a 2026 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

40 Under 40 – 2026

For the sixth year, Yamaha recognizes 40 outstanding music educators under the age of 40 in the “40 Under 40 music education advocacy program.

MEAs

State music education conferences are the perfect venue to connect with and learn from other teachers.

Master Educator Collective

Meet Yamaha Master Educator Dana Sedatole

From serving as a head band director teaching beginning 6th grade instrumentalists to addressing the needs of over 20,000 music educators as president of the Texas Music Educators Association, Dana Pradervand-Sedatole has done it all! Her methodology of keeping fundamentals at the core of her teaching has led her students to become more responsible for […]

Master Educator Collective

Meet Yamaha Master Educator Dr. Sarah McKoin

Dr. Sarah McKoin is a passionate educator dedicated to discovering art at any level of performance. She serves as the Director of Bands and Division Chair of Conducting and Ensembles at Texas Tech where she oversees all facets of the University band program, including four concert bands and two athletic bands as well as mentoring […]

Master Educator Collective

Meet Yamaha Master Educator Dr. Dennis Llinas

Vitality! Fervor! Passion! Understanding! Dr. Dennis Llinás doesn’t hide his emotional investment in anything that he does. As an educator, conductor, and composer, Dennis deems music to enrich the lives of everyone involved in the music-making experience … not only the music-makers but the audience members through inventive and engaging programming. He approaches his life’s […]

Liam Keller

Meet Liam Keller, Director of Orchestras at Chatham High School and Lafayette Avenue School in New Jersey, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Lilly Streich

Meet Lilly Streich, 5-12 Vocal Music Teacher at Galena Unit School District in Illinois, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Aaron J. Witek

Meet Dr. Aaron J. Witek, Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Coordinator of Brass and Percussion at Stetson University in Florida, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Rachel Woolf

Meet Dr. Rachel Woolf, Assistant Professor of Flute at the University of Texas at San Antonio, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Kim Webb

Meet Kim Webb, Director of Bands at Greene County Tech School District in Arkansas, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Riley Warren

Meet Riley Warren, Director of Percussion and Assistant Band Director at Forney High School in Texas, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Andrew Stetson

Meet Dr. Andrew Stetson, Director of the School of Music at Texas Tech University, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Michael Schnell

Meet Michael Schnell, Middle School Band Teacher at Oostburg School District in Wisconsin, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Annie Ray

Meet Annie Ray, Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Department Chair at Annandale High School in Virginia, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Joshua Race

Meet Joshua Race, Director of Bands at Fountain-Fort Carson High School in Colorado, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Nicholas Popovich

Meet Nicholas Popovich, Music Technology Teacher at Shadow Mountain High School in Arizona, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Kate Phillips

Meet Kate Phillips, PK-5 Music Teacher at Grant Avenue Elementary School in New York, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Adam Odenwelder

Meet Adam Odenwelder, Guitar Teacher at Belmont Ridge Middle School in Virginia, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Leah Motl

Meet Leah Motl, Orchestra Teacher at IJ Holton Intermediate School in Minnesota, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Kevin Morrison

Meet Kevin Morrison, Director of Bands at Lambert High School in Georgia, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Coty Raven Morris

Meet Coty Raven Morris, the Hinckley Assistant Professor of Choir, Music Education and Social Justice at Portland State University in Oregon, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Christopher McCurdy

Meet Christopher McCurdy, Band Director at Ulysses S. Grant High School in Oregon, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Orien Landis

Meet Orien Landis, Director of Bands at American Fork High School in Utah, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Shan Kazmi

Meet Shan Kazmi, Director of Bands at Zion-Benton Township High School in Illinois, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Zane Kaiser

Meet Zane Kaiser, Band and Orchestra Teacher at Justice Page Middle School in Minnesota, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Cody Jackson

Meet Cody Jackson, Band Director at Heights Middle School in New Mexico, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Alex Hitrick

Meet Alex Hitrick, 7-12 Music Teacher at Broadalbin-Perth Jr./Sr. High School in New York, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Cordara X. Harper

Meet Dr. Cordara X. Harper, Assistant Professor of Music Education and Choir Director at Grambling State University in Louisiana, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Bob Habersat

Meet Bob Habersat, Director of ShedTheMusic and Commercial Music Teacher at Oak Lawn Community High School in Illinois, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Liliana Guerrero

Meet Dr. Liliana Guerrero, Assistant Professor of Voice at the Butler School of Music, University of Texas, Austin, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Marissa Guarriello

Meet Dr. Marissa Guarriello, Visiting Assistant Professor of String Music Education at the University of North Carolina, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Paul Glader

Meet Paul Glader, Band and Choir Director at Bethel-Tate Middle School in Ohio, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Lee B. Gibson

Meet Lee B. Gibson, Assistant Director of Bands at Barberton City Schools in Ohio, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Catheryn Shaw Foster

Meet Dr. Catheryn Shaw Foster, Assistant Professor of Music Education at Virginia Tech, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Sarah Fabian

Meet Dr. Sarah Fabian, Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich

Meet Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich, Associate Professor of Music Education and Flute at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Laura Del Rosso

Meet Laura Del Rosso, Modern Band Teacher at Lower Manhattan Community Music School in New York, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Lindsay Cummings

Meet Lindsay Cummings, Professor of Musical Theatre Voice at the Chicago College of Performing Arts and Loyola University, Owner of Chicago Music & Acting Academy, and Executive Director and Founder of Downstage Arts, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Tanatchaya “Tanya” Chanphanitpornkit

Meet Tanatchaya Chanphanitpornkit, Director of Orchestras at Nyack High School in New York, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Gene Butler

Meet Dr. Gene Butler, Director of Bands at Smiths Station High School in Alabama, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Nick Blue

Meet Nick Blue, Assistant Director of Bands at Franklin High School in Tennessee, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Michael Blanco

Meet Michael Blanco, Assistant Director of Mariachi at Las Vegas High School in Nevada, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Erin Barra

Meet Erin Barra, Executive Director of We Make Noise and Assistant Professor and Director of the Popular Music Program at Arizona State University, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Evan Aguilar

Meet Evan Aguilar, Director of Choral and Piano Activities at Cibola High School in New Mexico, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

40 Under 40 – 2025

For the fifth year, Yamaha recognizes 40 outstanding music educators under the age of 40 in the “40 Under 40 music education advocacy program.

Jacob Abbott

Meet Jacob Abbott, Performing Arts Director at Dresden High School in Tennessee, who was recognized as a 2025 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Jessica Vaughan-Marra

Meet Dr. Jessica Vaughan-Marra, Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music Education at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Kyle D. Phillips

Meet Kyle D. Phillips, Band Director at Princeton High School in Ohio, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Kevin Longwill

Meet Kevin Longwill, Music Industry Teacher and Director of Modern Music Makers (M3) at Abington School District in Pennsylvania, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Julie Anne Russell

Meet Julie Anne Russell, Orchestra Director at Blythewood High School in South Carolina, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Matthew Rupert

Meet Matthew Rupert, Co-Founder and Clarinet/Piano Faculty at Little Mission Studio and Co-Founder and President of the Board of Make More Music Foundation in California, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Ben Pedersen

Meet Ben Pedersen, Director of Bands at Foreman College and Career Academy in Illinois, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Cale Patton

Meet Cale Patton, Music Teacher at Gillespie Technology Magnet Cluster School in Illinois, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Dr. Stephen C. Page

Meet Dr. Stephen C. Page, Associate Professor of Saxophone and Director of Undergraduate Studies at The University of Texas at Austin, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Allison Paetz

Meet Allison Paetz, Vocal Music Teacher at Rocky River High School in Ohio, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Christopher Noce

Meet Christopher Noce, Director of Bands and Orchestras at Concord-Carlisle High School in Massachusetts, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Alex Mutz

Meet Alex Mutz, Director of Bands at Sam L. Martin Middle School in Texas, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Adam Murray

Meet Adam Murray, Orchestra Director and Music Department Chair at Port Clinton City Schools in Ohio, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Kimberly Kraft McLemore

Meet Kimberly Kraft McLemore, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement with the Nashville Symphony in Tennessee, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.

Andrew Muth

Meet Andrew Muth, Director of Bands and Director of Performing Arts, Westfield High School in Indiana, who was recognized as a 2024 Yamaha “40 Under 40” music educator.