Foundation Award
The Foundation Award was established to honor private teachers of instruments and voice that have provided quality teaching, leadership, and passion for excellence over a sustained period of time in Texas. The high level of performance by Texas school musicians is in no small part due to students individually studying their craft with expert guidance.
These honorees are considered to be iconic teachers in Texas. Nominations will be accepted from teachers throughout Texas as they recognize the exceptional private teaching in their schools and communities.
If you know a private teacher who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, inspired their students, and contributed positively to the community, we encourage you to nominate them for this honor. To submit a nomination, please complete the nomination form by March 31, 2025.
Let’s celebrate the remarkable contributions of our private educators!
2024 honorees:
| Name | Instrument |
|---|---|
| Barbara Allen | Violin/Viola |
| Susan Douglas | Oboe |
| Darrell Fife | Trombone |
| Jerri Penney | Flute |
| Erin Thompson | Vocal |
2023 honorees:
| Name | Instrument |
|---|---|
| Christine Buetner | Vocal/Flute |
| Nicholas Councilor | Clarinet |
| Kirsten Guerra | Flute |
| Shannon Jacobs | Percussion |
| Andrew Martz | Saxophone |
| Shaun Murray | Horn |
| Sandy Shelley | Vocal |
| Dennis Whittaker | Double Bass |
2021 honorees:
| Name | Instrument |
|---|---|
| Mark Smith | Saxophone |
| Keith Witt | Saxophone |
| Marc Lumley | Horn |
| Sean Casey | String Bass |
| Bob Burnham | Trombone |
| Wes Hegglaund | Percussion |
| Tara Richter | Flute |
| Shulamith Barbe | Strings |
| Dan Bechdolt | Saxophone |
| Jennifer Whatley | Voice |
2019 honorees:
| Name | Instrument |
|---|---|
| Ron Davis | Saxophone |
| David Hummel | Tuba |
| Yuli Jiang | Violin |
2018 honorees:
| Name | Instrument |
|---|---|
| Jon Bohls | Trombone |
| David Lewis | Horn |
| Sally Bohls | Oboe |
| Randy Luster | Clarinet |
| Norma Burrows | Flute (posthumously awarded) |
| Kathy McNeil | Voice |
| Joe Dixon | Trombone |
| Andy Moritz | String bass |
| Ken Dockray | Violin |
| Margaret Redcay | Flute |
| Janeen Gilliam | Oboe |
| Nick Scales | String bass |
| Stephen Gulledge | Trumpet |
| Jan Sloman | Violin |
| Andre Gustus | Violin |
| Mark Swindler | Voice |
| Anna Henry | Flute |
| Mike Warny | Low brass |
| Steve Hoyle | Clarinet |
| Kennan Wylie | Percussion |
| Claire Johnson | Flute |
For further information, please contact Alan Hanna, Executive Director, The Foundation for Music Education.