CMA Reveals 2025 CMA Foundation 2025 Music Teachers Of Excellence Class
CMA has announced its 2025 class of CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence, honoring 30 outstanding educators nationwide who are using the power of music to transform lives.
Now in its ninth year, Music Teachers of Excellence recognizes music educators who demonstrate teaching excellence, create positive learning environments, and make a lasting impact in their communities. Each honoree will receive a $5,000 award, split evenly between personal use and their classroom or program. Honorees are also invited to participate in a year of professional development and engagement with CMA’s broader network, including special access to CMA Fest and the CMA Awards.
“Music Teachers of Excellence is about shining a light on educators who are transforming the lives of their students every single day,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “These teachers are leaders, mentors, and changemakers, and they deserve to feel seen and uplifted by our music community. This program isn’t just a moment of recognition; it’s a way for our industry to stand behind them and say, ‘We’re with you.’”
The 2025 class will be honored at a red carpet gala on Sept. 10, at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center that brings together teachers, artists, community leaders, and music industry professionals for an unforgettable celebration of impact, creativity, and connection.
To further elevate the event, CMA has assembled a Music Teachers of Excellence Planning Committee, comprised of leaders from across the country music industry who are lending their voices and resources to support the gala’s production and the honorees’ overall experience. Planning Committee members include: Sloane Cavitt Logue(WME), Sarah DeMarco (Amazon Music), Copeland Issacson (YouTube), Lucia Kaminsky (Sandbox Entertainment), Neil Lawi (WWE Music Group), Rakiyah Marshall England (Back Blocks Music), Gemma McInturff (Spotify), Morgan Mills (Command Shift), Jake Roggenbuck (MCA), Mark Thomas (Paramount), Sara Foster (TV and Live Event Producer), Halie Hampton Mosley (Why & How), and Hannah Wilson (MCA).
“As someone who has seen firsthand how music can transform lives, I’m honored to help champion these educators who are doing incredible work every day,” says Sloane Cavitt Logue, WME Partner & Head of Client Strategy and Planning Committee Chair. “This program is a powerful reminder that our industry’s future begins in classrooms across the country, and that we all have a role to play in supporting it.”
The 2025 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence:
Midwest:
Justin Antos, Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Blue Island, IL
Jeremy Bartunek, Greenbrier School, Northbrook, IL
Melissa Gustafson-Hinds, O’Fallon Township High School, O’Fallon, IL
Dr. Kathryn Spangler, Mt. Vernon High School, Fortville, IN
Brandon Dittgen, Milford High School, Milford, OH
Hong Le, Ellsworth Hill Elementary School, Hudson, OH
Matthew Shephard, Meridian Early College High School, Sanford, MI
Eric Songer, Chaska Middle School West, Chaska, MN
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic:
Erin Althen, West Hill High School, Syracuse, NY
Theresa Iacarino, Cromwell Valley Elementary Magnet School, Towson, MD
Southeast:
Michael Antmann, Freedom High School, Orlando, FL
Nick Blue, Franklin High School, Franklin, TN
Chuck Brown, Head Magnet Middle School, Nashville, TN
Neshawn Calloway, Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, Chattanooga, TN
Reggie Coleman, Rocky Fork Middle School, Smyrna, TN
Jandrea Crum, Chimneyrock Elementary School, Cordova, TN
Garrett Doo, Smyrna High School, Smyrna, TN
Nicholas Efstathiou, Riverdale High School, Murfreesboro, TN
Marisa Frank, Explore! Community School, Nashville, TN
Elaina Gallas, Mill Creek Elementary School, Nolensville, TN
Jason Glashauser, South Clinton Elementary School, Clinton, TN
Carolyn Hankins, Page Middle School, Franklin, TN
Elisabeth Lay, Downtown Elementary School, Memphis, TN
Anna Maria Miller, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Nashville, TN
Dave Petrelli, Lockeland Design Center Elementary School, Nashville, TN
Allison Snyder, Hunters Lane High School, Nashville, TN
Southwest:
Sara Duce, Greenfield Junior High School, Gilbert, AZ
West:
Megan Perdue, Sheldon High School, Eugene, OR
Ethan Chessin, Camas High School, Camas, WA
Haviland Gilbert, Lincoln Elementary School, Kennewick, WA
