THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR 10TH ANNUAL MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE CEREMONY
Sierra Hull, Marcus King, Carrie Manolakos, David Phelps, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Tucker Wetmore to Perform;
Kix Brooks and Keith Urban Among Speakers
Joe Galante to Receive Inaugural CMA Foundation Impact Award
This fall, the CMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association, will bring together some of the most influential names in music to celebrate the teachers shaping the next generation of music makers. Now in its 10th year, Music Teachers of Excellence is the CMA Foundation’s flagship program recognizing 30 exceptional music teachers for their dedication to providing high-quality music education to students and communities across the country. The program has become a signature gathering for the Country Music community, bringing together educators, artists and industry leaders to recognize and celebrate the transformative power of music education. The ceremony will take place Wednesday, Oct. 7, at The Pinnacle in Nashville.
The evening will feature performances by Sierra Hull, Marcus King, Carrie Manolakos, David Phelps, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Tucker Wetmore, alongside speakers Kix Brooks and Keith Urban. The genre-spanning lineup reflects the universal impact of music teachers across every corner of the music industry, underscoring the vital role teachers play in giving students the skills, confidence and opportunities to thrive both in music and in life.
As part of the milestone celebration, the CMA Foundation will also present music industry executive and Country Music Hall of Fame member Joe Galante with the inaugural CMA Foundation Music Education Impact Award, recognizing his longstanding leadership and commitment to advancing music education and expanding opportunities for students.
A defining figure in Country Music, Galante was instrumental in the inception and early development of the CMA Foundation and became a founding member of its Board of Directors when the Foundation was formally established in 2011. He has served on the Board for 15 years, including five terms as Chairman, helping guide the Foundation through its evolution from providing critical resources to classrooms to investing in educators, students and sustainable music education programs. Galante was particularly instrumental in the CMA Foundation’s longstanding partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools, which has resulted in a $12.5 million investment in music education across the district, as well as the creation of the Music Teachers of Excellence program.
The inaugural CMA Foundation Music Education Impact Award honors an individual whose leadership, service and resources have created meaningful, lasting opportunities through music education. Galante’s influence extends well beyond a single program or organization, reflecting a lifelong belief that the success of the music industry carries with it a responsibility to invest in the teachers, students and communities that make music possible.
Since its inception in 2011, the CMA Foundation, alongside the music industry, has worked to strengthen music education, equipping hundreds of teachers and thousands of students with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Through funding, professional development and innovative programs, the Foundation invests in educators and students to help create lasting opportunities through music education.
About the CMA Foundation
The CMA Foundation transforms lives through the power of music education. Established by the Country Music Association in 2011 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) invests in high-quality programs that ensure all students have access to music. In partnership with the music industry and like-minded nonprofits, the CMA Foundation directs research-informed funding where it makes the greatest impact—empowering music teachers through professional development, providing resources for classrooms and programs, and creating life-changing opportunities for students. For more information about the CMA Foundation, visit CMAfoundation.org.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
To learn more about the Music Teachers of Excellence program, visit CMAfoundation.org/music-teachers-of-excellence.
