THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION PROUDLY REVEALS ITS 2025 CMA FOUNDATION MUSIC TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE
CMA Furthers Its Commitment to Celebrating Excellence Year-Round by Honoring Teachers Shaping the Next Generation Through Music
Music Industry Leaders Join Planning Committee to Support 2025 Gala, Taking Place September 10 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Meet the 2025 Music Teachers of Excellence HERE
As part of its year-round commitment to celebrating excellence across the Country Music industry, the Country Music Association today announced the 2025 class of CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence, honoring 30 extraordinary educators nationwide who are using the power of music to transform lives.
Presented through CMA’s philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation, Music Teachers of Excellence is one of the most visible ways the organization gives back, leveraging the influence of the music industry to elevate music education across the U.S. Now in its ninth year, the annual program recognizes music educators who demonstrate teaching excellence, create positive learning environments, and make a lasting impact in their communities.
“Music Teachers of Excellence is about shining a light on educators who are transforming the lives of their students every single day,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “These teachers are leaders, mentors, and changemakers, and they deserve to feel seen and uplifted by our music community. This program isn’t just a moment of recognition; it’s a way for our industry to stand behind them and say, ‘We’re with you.’”
Each honoree will receive a $5,000 award, split evenly between personal use and their classroom or program. Honorees are also invited to participate in a year of professional development and engagement with CMA’s broader network, including special access to CMA Fest and the CMA Awards. The 2025 class will be celebrated at a red-carpet gala on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center—a night that brings together teachers, artists, community leaders, and music industry professionals for an unforgettable celebration of impact, creativity, and connection.
To further elevate the event, CMA has assembled a Music Teachers of Excellence Planning Committee, comprised of leaders from across the Country Music industry who are lending their voices and resources to support the gala’s production and the honorees’ overall experience. Planning Committee members include: Sloane Cavitt Logue (WME), Sarah DeMarco (Amazon Music), Copeland Issacson (YouTube), Lucia Kaminsky (Sandbox Entertainment), Neil Lawi (WWE Music Group), Rakiyah Marshall England (Back Blocks Music), Gemma McInturff (Spotify), Morgan Mills (Command Shift), Jake Roggenbuck (MCA), Mark Thomas (Paramount), Sara Foster (TV and Live Event Producer), Halie Hampton Mosley (Why & How), and Hannah Wilson (MCA).
“As someone who has seen firsthand how music can transform lives, I’m honored to help champion these educators who are doing incredible work every day,” says Sloane Cavitt Logue, WME Partner & Head of Client Strategy and Planning Committee Chair. “This program is a powerful reminder that our industry’s future begins in classrooms across the country, and that we all have a role to play in supporting it.”
This year’s honorees represent 11 states and were selected through a rigorous application process that considers instructional excellence, innovation in the classroom, and a demonstrated commitment to leadership, collaboration, and student success.
Meet the 30 transformative educators shaping the next generation through music—the 2025 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence:
Midwest
- Justin Antos, Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Blue Island, IL
- Jeremy Bartunek, Greenbrier School, Northbrook, IL
- Melissa Gustafson-Hinds, O’Fallon Township High School, O’Fallon, IL
- Kathryn Spangler, Mt. Vernon High School, Fortville, IN
- Brandon Dittgen, Milford High School, Milford, OH
- Hong Le, Ellsworth Hill Elementary School, Hudson, OH
- Matthew Shephard, Meridian Early College High School, Sanford, MI
- Eric Songer, Chaska Middle School West, Chaska, MN
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
- Erin Althen, West Hill High School, Syracuse, NY
- Theresa Iacarino, Cromwell Valley Elementary Magnet School, Towson, MD
Southeast
- Michael Antmann, Freedom High School, Orlando, FL
- Nick Blue, Franklin High School, Franklin, TN
- Chuck Brown, Head Magnet Middle School, Nashville, TN
- Neshawn Calloway, Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, Chattanooga, TN
- Reggie Coleman, Rocky Fork Middle School, Smyrna, TN
- Jandrea Crum, Chimneyrock Elementary School, Cordova, TN
- Garrett Doo, Smyrna High School, Smyrna, TN
- Nicholas Efstathiou, Riverdale High School, Murfreesboro, TN
- Marisa Frank, Explore! Community School, Nashville, TN
- Elaina Gallas, Mill Creek Elementary School, Nolensville, TN
- Jason Glashauser, South Clinton Elementary School, Clinton, TN
- Carolyn Hankins, Page Middle School, Franklin, TN
- Elisabeth Lay, Downtown Elementary School, Memphis, TN
- Anna Maria Miller, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Nashville, TN
- Dave Petrelli, Lockeland Design Center Elementary School, Nashville, TN
- Allison Snyder, Hunters Lane High School, Nashville, TN
Southwest
- Sara Duce, Greenfield Junior High School, Gilbert, AZ
West
- Megan Perdue, Sheldon High School, Eugene, OR
- Ethan Chessin, Camas High School, Camas, WA
- Haviland Gilbert, Lincoln Elementary School, Kennewick, WA
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.
