MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE
Music Teachers Are Superstars
The 2025 Music Teachers of Excellence application is now closed.
Winners were announced on May 6, 2025.
Music Teachers of Excellence (MToE) is our commitment to the music teachers who exemplify excellence in the field. As our work progresses, we are motivated to champion the incredible human beings who exemplify excellence in the classroom. Music Teachers of Excellence Recipients are vital to students and communities throughout the country. We look forward to honoring the next cohort of Music Teacher Superstars!
2025 CMA FOUNDATION MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE ANNOUNCED
The CMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association, has revealed its 2025 class of Music Teachers of Excellence, representing a distinguished group of music educators from across the country who are making the greatest impact on their students and communities.
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In 2016, the CMA Foundation launched Music Teachers of Excellence to celebrate, honor, and invest in music education teachers who exemplify excellence.
Did you know?
94% of public school teachers in the U.S. spend their own money on classroom supplies.
The CMA Foundation proudly presents each MTOE Award recipient with a stipend of $5,000 to be split evenly between supporting classroom and personal needs.
To date, the CMA Foundation has honored 265 public school music teachers and given over $1.3 M to support their achievements in their classrooms and communities.
The CMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association, held its eighth Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony presented by One Country, the premier platform for Country Music fans, on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. The event honored 30 music teachers—10 teachers from Metro Nashville Public Schools, 10 from districts across the state of Tennessee, and 10 from across the United States. Honorees were selected for their commitment to bringing a high-quality music program to their students and the impact they have had on their school community through music.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2024
The CMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association, held its seventh Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. The event honored 30 music teachers—10 teachers from Metro Nashville Public Schools, 10 from districts across the state of Tennessee, and 10 from across the United States. Honorees were selected for their commitment to bringing a high-quality music program to their students and the impact they have had on their school community through music.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2023
The sixth Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony was held Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville and hosted by Country Music Hall of Fame member and music education advocate, Kix Brooks. The evening celebration included a red carpet, dinner with more than 25 artists from the Country Music community, and a variety of performances throughout the night. The event also featured several guest speakers, including Secretary Cardona, who highlighted just how critical music and arts education is in a student’s life and celebrated the passion and dedication displayed by each of the 30 teachers in the room.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2022
The 2020 Music Teachers of Excellence was announced March 9, 2020, just days before the COVID -19 pandemic brought the world to a halt. With celebrations set to take place in May 2020 and a few failed attempts at rescheduling for the safety of all attendees, the Foundation welcomed the 2020 recipients to Nashville for “The 55th” Annual CMA Awards” for a celebratory reception and a night of Country Music.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2020
Corey Graves
Forney, TX
“The CMA Foundation pours back into music educators like no other! They recognize the value, power, and impact of our art form, and they empower teachers to keep spreading the gospel. I am so thankful for this unforgettable experience, for my cohort of 29 new friends from across the country, and for MUSIC! This is a great opportunity for both teachers AND students!”
Matthew Trevino
San Antonio, TX
“The CMA Foundation is making substantial contributions to music programs in Nashville and across the country. Their advocacy efforts are truly amazing. Being a two-time CMAF Music Teacher of Excellence is so humbling. They have made little old me feel like a superhero. They have provided so much financial and moral support for my music program over the past two years. It has been a total game-changer. I encourage all my music teacher friends to apply! Applications are open now. DO IT!”
Neshawn Calloway
Chattanooga, TN
Becoming a CMA music teacher of excellence has opened the door for me to collaborate and work with other educators outside of my building. The awards also brought recognition to my vocal program which in turn has given my students performance opportunities within our community. The awards reception was first class, and the awards show far exceeded my expectation. I’ve had the pleasure of serving as a mentor and it has been so rewarding for me to share the benefit of my experience with newer teachers. The funds received by my program allowed me to purchase singers masks for my students so that they were able to make music during a very difficult school year. Thank you, CMA, for your continued support of music education.
Joanie Padgett
Fitzgerald, GA
Being selected as a Music Teacher of Excellence has been one of the most amazing highlights of my career as a music educator. As music educators, I feel like many of us become accustomed to running all of the “behind the scenes” aspects of our programs and falling into the background. The CMA Foundation reminds us that it’s ok to be appreciated and given the spotlight for our hard work and dedication. Not only did the CMA Foundation make me feel seen, heard, respected, and appreciated as music educator, they also provided multiple educational resources for me and my students. I can’t speak enough positive words about this experience. Thank you, CMA Foundation!
Keith Hancock
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
What an incredible experience the CMA Music Teachers of Excellence was! Long before we arrived in Nashville, we were made to feel like celebrities and incredibly important people to the CMA Foundation. With teachers receiving such a mixed bag of support in our day-to-day lives, it was amazing to feel the level of support from the Foundation, as well as the CMA artists. From the connections with local and national media, to the night of the CMA Awards, music education was put on the spotlight, and the great work that is happening around the country was clearly evident. Thank you to the CMA Foundation and its supporters for the hard work that is done to continue to promote music education and teachers. I will never forget this unique experience!
