CMA Foundation Celebrates 2024 Music Teachers Of Excellence

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The 2024 Music Teachers of Excellence class. Photo: John Russell/CMA

The CMA Foundation hosted its eighth Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony, presented by One Country, on Tuesday (Sept. 17) at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

The event honored 30 educators—10 from Metro Nashville Public Schools, 10 from districts across the state of Tennessee and 10 from across the United States—who were selected for their commitment to bringing a high-quality music program to their students and the musical impact they’ve had on their schools.

Themed around the way music brings color into of our lives, the ceremony was first accented with black and white decor and incorporated more and more color into the room as the evening progressed, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the after party.

The celebration included dinner with over 30 artists from the country music community and multiple performances. Videos illustrating the significance of music education were also shown throughout the night, including a message from Berklee College of Music student Lourde Childs on his journey through music

Tullman Family Office President and Let Music Fill My World Founder Cayley Tullman spoke on behalf of her organization about the importance of ensuring every child in America has access to music education in their school. Walker Hayes took to the stage alongside students from Metro Nashville Public Schools for a performance of “If Father Time Had a Daughter.” One Country CEO Chase Locke and Tenille Townes spoke to the power of music in a person’s life and the impact that goes beyond the classroom. Childs then joined Kassi Ashton for a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” earning a standing ovation, before Charlie Worsham gave a testimony on how his music career began and recognized the 10 Metro Nashville Public Schools recipients. Next, Priscilla Block sang “Peaked In High School” and Tigirlily Gold expressed their thanks to the sponsors and organizers of the event for celebrating the honorees with a beautiful ceremony and highlighted the 10 educators from across the state of Tennessee. Riley Green followed with a performance of “Jesus Saves,” and Tiera Kennedy and Angie K spoke about their own personal experiences with music education, sharing the support and guidance their music teachers provided in their early years, before focusing on the 10 recipients from across the country. Jordan Davis closed the night with a performance of “Next Thing You Know,” before Alana Springsteen gave a final thank you message and kicked off the after-party.

Additionally, the CMA Foundation gave $5,000 to each honoree—half to help enhance their music program and half for personal use. The CMA philanthropic arm was also able to secure sponsorship for all 30 of its 2024 Music Teachers of Excellence class members through the “Sponsor A Teacher” campaign. To date, it has invested over $1.3 million in its Music Teachers of Excellence honorees to ensure they have the support and funding needed to create thriving programs within their schools and communities.

Applications for the 2025 Music Teachers of Excellence class are open now through Thursday, Feb. 20. For more information, click here.

Liza Anderson
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