2026 CMA Foundation Music Teachers Of Excellence Announced
The CMA has announced the 2026 class of CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence, honoring 30 extraordinary educators across 12 states who are using the power of music to transform lives.
Presented through CMA’s philanthropic arm the CMA Foundation, Music Teachers of Excellence shines a national spotlight on the teachers building stronger, more well-rounded young people every day. Now in its landmark 10th year, the program has now recognized more than 200 educators, with its legacy defined not by a single moment of recognition, but by the lasting impact those teachers have had on the students and communities they serve.
“Ten years ago, we made a promise to the educators who dedicate their lives to music education: we see you, and we’re with you,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “Music Teachers of Excellence was built on the belief that our industry has a responsibility to invest in the people building the pipeline of music lovers, artists, and fans for generations to come. This milestone year isn’t just a celebration of these 30 remarkable educators. It’s a celebration of the legacy we have built together, and a reminder of how much more we can do when the music industry unites around a shared cause.”
The 2026 class will be celebrated at a red carpet gala on Oct. 7 at The Pinnacle in Nashville, bringing together teachers, artists, community leaders, and industry professionals to honor the educators whose work will define the legacy of music education for decades to come. Honorees are also invited to participate in a year of professional development and engagement with CMA’s broader industry network, including curated experiences at CMA events that provide behind-the-scenes access to the business of country music.
To further elevate the event, CMA has again assembled a Music Teachers of Excellence Planning Committee, comprised of leaders from across the music industry and beyond. Planning Committee members include Sloane Cavitt Logue (WME), Jackie Augustus (Spotify), Rachel Brittain (CAA), Beth Carter (CNN), Hayley Corbett (Artist Manager), Sarah DeMarco, Sara Foster (TV and Live Event Producer), JoJamie Hahr (BMG), Olivia Hanceri (OH Creative), Halie Hampton Mosley (WHY&HOW), Lucia Kaminsky (Sandbox Entertainment), Rakiyah Marshall England (Back Blocks Music), Morgan Mills (CMDSHFT), Marcel Pariseau (True Public Relations), Jake Roggenbuck, Chandler Sherrill (Electric Feel), Mark Thomas (Propeller), and Hannah Wilson (MCA).
The 2026 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence:
Midwest:
David Hutter, Maine South High School, Park Ridge, IL
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic:
Kyle Cook, Western Branch Middle School, Chesapeake, VA
Ryan Mack, P.S. 10 Magnet School of Math, Science, & Design Technology, Brooklyn, NY
Kevin McDonald, Wellesley High School, Wellesley, MA
Alice Tsui, New Bridges Elementary School, Brooklyn, NY
Southeast:
Lucy Alegria, Gallatin High School, Gallatin, TN
Michael Aymett, Riverdale High School, Murfreesboro, TN
Trevor Baxter, Centennial High School, Franklin, TN
Melissa Blizzard, Stevens Creek Elementary School, Martinez, GA
Johnny Croft, Cane Ridge High School, Antioch, TN
Julia Culp, Freedom Middle School, Franklin, TN
Elmer Feliciano, McMurray Middle School, Nashville, TN
Aurora Foster, Woodland Middle School, Brentwood, TN
Darlene Grande, Stonewyck Elementary School, Orlando, FL
Sherie Grossman, James Lawson High School, Nashville, TN
Tony Hartman, Scales Elementary School, Murfreesboro, TN
Kinsey Healy, Houston High School, Germantown, TN
Samuel Holmes, Garden Hills Elementary School, Atlanta, GA
Allen Kennedy, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Nashville, TN
Taylor Kollmeier, Page High School, Franklin, TN
Ashleigh Ledford, Sterling School, Greenville, SC
Ollie Liddell, Memphis Central High School, Memphis, TN
Nathaniel O’Neal, DuPont Hadley Middle School, Old Hickory, TN
Michael Perryman, Ooltewah Elementary School, Ooltewah, TN
Southwest:
Efrain Casillas, Desert Oasis Elementary School and Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School, Phoenix, AZ
Corey Graves, Themer Middle School, Forney, TX
West:
Grace Kwon, Stoddard Elementary School, Anaheim, CA
Darlene Machacon, La Quinta High School, Westminster, CA
Henry Miller, Sierra Vista Middle School, Irvine, CA
Kimberly Ritzer, Green Valley High School, Henderson, NV
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