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 educators — all under the age of 40 — showcase the following characteristics: action (anticipate what needs to be done and proactively take the necessary steps that lead to a stronger music program), courage (propose and implement new or bold ideas), creativity (show innovation and imagination in achieving plans and objectives) and growth (establish, grow or improve music education in their schools and communities).
Each year, we receive hundreds of nominations from students, parents, teachers and administrators, local instrument dealers and mentors. The “40 Under 40” educators below have elevated music and music-making in extraordinary ways — like Cale Patton, who started with a music on a cart that blossomed into a robust elementary music program; Miguel Hidalgo, Alex Mutz, Dr. Jessie M. Vallejo and Dr. Paulina Villarreal, who bring the music of their Latin American and Hispanic culture to their classrooms and ensembles; Dr. Jacquelyn Lankford and Kacee Sanders who promote the important role women play in music through festivals, competitions and symposiums; Brad Hart, who hosts a chapter of United Sound at his high school and finds ways to help special needs students play music and feel like they belong; and Douglas Brown, Gillian Desmarais, Dennis Giotta and Kevin Longwill, who all tackled music technology to introduce their students to a completely different side of what’s possible with music.
All the “40 Under 40” educators have remarkable stories behind their teaching philosophies and methods. Come meet them and be inspired by them all.
Join us in applauding the 2024 class of “40 Under 40” educators.
Meet the 2025 “40 Under 40” Educators
Meet the 2023 “40 Under 40” Educators
Meet the 2022 “40 Under 40” Educators
Meet the 2021 “40 Under 40” Educators
