The CMA Foundation, a philanthropic arm to the Country Music Association (CMA) who works to ensure every child has access to a quality music education, is now accepting applications for its fourth annual Music Teachers of Excellence awards.
This year, for the first time ever, the CMA Foundation will be expanding their program to celebrate music educators from across the country alongside those in Tennessee and within Metro Nashville Public Schools.
10 teachers will be chosen from Metro Nashville, 10 from the state of Tennessee, and 10 from any of the other 49 states in the U.S. Winners will receive a $5,000 investment—$2,500 to use for their classroom and $2,500 awarded for personal use.
“Research and data continue to show us the positive impact a quality music education can have on a child’s life today, and in the future. We know that without the commitment, passion and support of music educators, our children would not have a program to help them thrive,” says Tiffany Kerns, executive director, CMA Foundation. “Our Music Teachers of Excellence program is designed to celebrate those making a difference in their music classroom every single day — getting kids to show up to school and helping to shape them into being creative leaders in their communities.”
The CMA Foundation created their Music Teachers of Excellence program in 2016 in an effort to recognize the best and brightest music teachers from Nashville and beyond. Award recipients are selected because of their dedication to bringing a quality music program to their students and the impact they’ve had on their school community through music.
In addition to a night of celebration, this year, the CMA Foundation will invest a combined $150,000 to support both personal and professional expenses related to recipients’ music programs in an effort to help drive their commitment and innovation forward. To date, the CMA Foundation has invested over $21 million into music education programs with $575,000 specifically in support of music educators through Music Teachers of Excellence.
To submit yourself or a music teacher you know, click here. The application process closes January 4, 2019.
About the CMA Foundation
Established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining music education programs across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music education. Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), has invested more than $21 million across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and community outreach organizations. Guided by the generosity of the Country Music community, proceeds from CMA Fest, the four-day long music festival held annually in Nashville, are used to power the CMA Foundation’s social impact and unique model of giving.
For more information, visit CMAfoundation.org.