2021 Yamaha “40 Under 40” — Celebrating Excellence in Music Education
Yamaha launched the “40 Under 40” music education advocacy program to celebrate and recognize outstanding music educators who are making a difference by growing and strengthening their music programs. Their students range from transitional kindergarteners to college undergrads at public, private and charter schools, as well as private music students. Their programs are small and large, brand new and with storied histories.
In the fall of 2020, we asked for nominations of music educators under the age of 40 who showcased 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).
We received hundreds of nominations from students, parents, other teachers and administrators, local instrument dealers and mentors.
The selected “40 Under 40” educators below have gone above and beyond to elevate music and music-making in their students’ lives — like Jason Sleppy, who secured the use of Lucas Oil Stadium during the pandemic so his students could have an end-of-year performance; Willie Garfield, who started his music education career as a teenager; Jennifer Antonetti, who created an app to help music educators keep track of inventory, student information and more; Eric Jimenez, who launched a podcast about urban music education; and Michael Gamon, who created a role-playing game complete with set pieces and a website to engage his violin students.
We are inspired and in awe of this inaugural class of “40 Under 40” educators.
** NOTE: Sign up for the Yamaha Educator Newsletter to stay informed about the “40 Under 40” program as well as other music education advocacy news and information from Yamaha.
Meet the 2024 “40 Under 40” Educators
Javier Alcántara-Rojas
Director of Instrumental Music
Granite Hills High School
Apple Valley, California
Jennifer Antonetti
Topeka High School,
Robinson Middle School,
Meadows Elementary School
Topeka, Kansas
Jenn Bock
Marching Band Director
Highland High School
Gilbert, Arizona
Kevin Cooley
Platteville High School
Platteville, Wisconsin
Megan Cooney
Associate Director of Bands
St. Ambrose University
Davenport, Iowa
Christopher DiMassimo
Rachel Carson Middle School
Herndon, Virginia
Michael Gamon
Center for Creative Arts Director
Harrisburg Academy
Wormleysburg, Pennsylvania
Andrew Gibb-Clark
Fine Arts Department Chair
Highland High School
Highland, Illinois
David Irish
Associate Director of Concert Bands
Palo Verde High School
Las Vegas, Nevada
Jarrett Lipman
Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson
High School
San Antonio, Texas
Matthew Martindale
Shelby County High School and
Columbiana Middle School
Columbiana, Alabama
Matt Moore
Director of Percussion
V.R. Eaton High School
Haslet, Texas
Phil Nagy
McVey Innovative Learning Center
(Part of Hilliard City Schools)
Hilliard, Ohio
Becky Paschke
D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School
Denver, Colorado
Megan Sahely
Leon High School and Raa Middle School
Tallahassee, Florida
Jason Sleppy
Marching Band Director, Mason High School
Mason, Ohio
Tyler Swick
Robert and Sandy Ellis Elementary School
Henderson, Nevada
Brian Teed
Associate Director of Bands
Wakeland High School
Frisco, Texas
E.J. Villanueva
5th-6th Instrumental Music Teacher
Orange Grove Elementary School
Anaheim, California
Tim Walck
Austin Area School District
Austin, Pennsylvania
Aaron Zeilinger
Orange Lutheran High School
Orange, California