Awards
In this section

Outstanding Music Educator
2019 Nominees

Outstanding High School Band Teacher of the Year
  • Steve Adams, Director of Bands at Shawnee Mission South High School, 36.5 years of teaching
  • Cheryl Lee, Director of Bands at Blue Valley West, 15 years of teaching
  • Carol Lowman - Lead Director of Bands at Olathe West High School, 10 years of teaching
  • Jeff Smikahl, Director of Bands at Olathe East High School, 22 years of teaching
  • Bill Thomas, Director of Bands at Shawnee Mission West High School, 30 years of teaching
Outstanding High School Choir Teacher of the Year
  • Mindy Fry, High School Choir at De Soto High School, 17 years of teaching
  • Beth Richey-Sullivan, Director of Choirs at Blue Valley Northwest High School, 13 years of teaching experience
Outstanding High School Orchestra Director
  • Mike Arbucci, Director of Orchestras at Blue Valley Northwest High School, 10+ Years of teaching experience
  • Michael Hanf, Director of Orchestras at Olathe East High School, 13 years of teaching experience
  • Cecily Mahan, Director of Orchestras at Olathe North High School, 30 years of teaching experience
Outstanding Middle Level Band Teacher of the Year
  • Kim Balsinger, Director of Bands at Hocker Grove Middle School, 15 years of teaching experience
  • Nicole Chapple, Director of Bands at Oregon Trail Middle School, 15 years of teaching experience
  • Owen Evans, Director of Bands at Chisholm Trail Middle School, 25+ years of teaching experience
  • Eric Griffin, Director of Bands at Mission Trail Middle School, 20 years of teaching experience
  • Michelle Van Unen-Fay, Director of Bands at Aubry Bend Middle School, 13 years of teaching experience
Outstanding Middle Level Choir Teacher of the Year
  • Christine Freeman, Director of Choirs at Aubry Bend Middle School in Blue Valley, 15 years of teaching experience
  • Erin Stewart, Director of Choirs at Prairie Trail Middle School in Olathe, 17 years of teaching experience
Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year
  • Vicky Artzer, Music Teacher at Brookridge Elementary, 34 years of teaching experience
  • Christa Morrison, Music Teacher at Morse Elementary in Blue Valley, 12 years of teaching experience
  • Debra Raffety, Music Teacher at Rosehill Elementary, 23 years of teaching experience