Tag Archives: Performing Arts Teachers

NV music teacher Darren Motamedy earns Heart of Education Award

Posted on by

Music educator and Band Director Darren Motamedy has earned a Heart of Education Award from the Smith Center in Las Vegas. Photo credit: Walter Johnson Junior High

There are many excellent educators throughout our country who go above and beyond for their students. One of these is Darren Motamedy, a music teacher and Band Director from Clark County, Nevada. The hardworking music educator has just earned a Heart of Education Award from the Smith Center in Las Vegas.

It seems that Darren was simply born to teach. “Teaching is one of my favorite parts of my life. I love the energy of sharing knowledge about music with my students,” he says. “I have a unique approach to teaching music because I’m a professional musician and I know what are the important skills necessary to become a successful!” he reveals.

When Darren was hired to fill the position of band director at Walter Johnson Junior High School in Las Vegas, the program was struggling. Right away he dived into the difficult job of transforming it. He obtained grants to purchase $50,000 worth of new instruments and equipment, which provided opportunities for many at-risk students to join the band. Offering free lessons for students, he also raised over $100,000 so that every participant in the band program could participate in out-of-state field trips.

“I have achieved success at Johnson Junior High during my 13 years by taking it one step at a time,” asserts Darren. “It’s the little things that I do on a daily basis that become the model for success,” he continued.

The effort has not gone unnoticed. Darren is one of 20 teachers in Clark County, Nevada, who has earned a Smith Center Heart of Education Award this year. The recognition, presented in Las Vegas on April 21, 2023, comes with a commemorative medallion, a $5,000 cash award, and a $1,000 donation to the school program of the honoree’s choice. This is the eighth year the recognition has been presented to Clark County teachers who have gone above and beyond for their students.

 

Florida music educator William Coleman earns recognition

Posted on by

William Coleman, a choir teacher who hails from Palmetto, Florida, was recognized last month by his local television station, ABC7. Photo Credit: Manatee School for the Arts

I always enjoy sharing stories about one of our nation’s exceptional educators. Today, I will share the story of William Coleman, a choir teacher who hails from Palmetto, Florida. He was recognized last month by his local television station, ABC7.

William’s career as a music director spans a total of 26 years. Currently he teaches at Manatee School for the Arts in the Florida city of Palmetto. In addition to his choir courses, this amazing educator teaches music theater workshops and organizes productions. Some of his productions include Little Shop of Horrors, Mame, Jekyll and Hyde, Assassins, Nine, Baby, Annie Jr., Seussical Jr., My Way, The Andrews Brothers, and the premier productions of Boynton Beach Club and Practically Perfect.

Manatee is a public charter school located in Palmetto that offers performing arts programs to middle school and high school students. The school provides academic courses that infuse many opportunities for expression through the performing arts. In addition, students can participate in dual enrollment for college credit. Members of the faculty are professionals in their field, from local performers to internationally known professionals. To read more about this institution, click on this link to MSA.

As part of the school’s mission, William Coleman says he works hard to provide a welcoming atmosphere in his classroom. “I love connecting with my students, be a safe space for them, be comfortable, and be able to explore their love of music,” he declares. As a reward for his dedication to his students, William was profiled by his local television station, ABC7, and he received a $500 award.

William earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Purdue University in 1990. He also completed undergraduate work in Piano Performance from the University of Tennessee. He earned his Master’s degree in Piano Performance from Middle Tennessee State University in 1997 and completed a second Master’s degree in Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Oklahoma in 2001.

Benjamin Santiago garners Guam’s 2021 Teacher of the Year honors

Posted on by

Dr. Benjamin Santiago has ben named the 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year for the American territory of Guam. Photo credit: PNC

I am always excited to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned recognition for their work. One of these is Benjamin Santiago, a journalism and cultural dance teacher in the American territory of Guam. He has been named the island’s 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year.

Benjamin teaches journalism and cultural dance at Agueda I. Johnston Middle School in Guam. In addition to teaching cultural dance, he also serves as his school’s Native Dance Squad Director and works with the choir.  He is also currently working on his latest fitness program for students with autism. In addition to his work in the classroom, Benjamin serves as his school’s advisor for the National Junior Honor Society and the Mock Trial advisor. He also works as his school’s curriculum coordinator, a Teacher Administrator Effectiveness (TEF) mentor, and the coordinator of the accreditation self-study. He is part of committees that develop curriculum instruction, sheltered instruction observation protocol, and standards-based grading. And as if all this were not enough, he has represented his school at conferences for the International Society for Technology Education and the Summit of Innovative Teaching Strategies.

As the Director of the Native Dance Academy for the past 25 years, Benjamin has promoted the perpetuation of indigenous culture through the performing arts. As a native culture advocate, he has made appearances in the Mariana Islands and elsewhere throughout Asia, as well as in the United States and Russia. He captured international trophies in Hawai’i for the quality of his performance in both ancient and modern hula. In fact, he earned the title of Kumu Hula, from the world-renowned hula master George Lanakilakeikiahiali’i Na’ope in the art of hula.

And even all this is not everything Benjamin has accomplished. He is a small businessman, having opened his own fitness studio in 2021. There he promotes an active lifestyle as a certified teacher of Zumba, Body Combat, Body Pump, CXWorkx, Grit, and Mixxedfit. In fact, he is the program developer for the national fitness program known as Mixxedfit. For this effort, Benjamin won the 2013 Governor’s Award for Outstanding Male Fitness Instructor in 2013.

“What’s inspiring about Dr. B,” declares Jon Fernandez, the Guam Department of Education Superintendent, “is that his passion does not end in the classroom. He continues to perpetuate our cultural practices in community events and brings these lessons back into the classroom to help our kids develop into young citizens. When we talk about legacies, that is what we are talking about – lessons and skills that go above and beyond the classroom.”

Benjamin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, Language Arts, his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. His career as a professional educator has spanned 25 years.

To read more about Dr. Benjamin Santiago, click on this link to a story about him published by PNC.

 

CA Choir Director David Moellenkamp inspires students

Posted on by

David Moellenkamp, Director of Choral Activities at Los Alamitos High School in California, inspires his students to excel in the performing arts. Photo Credit: David Mellenkamp

All over the country, our young people are fortunate to have access to talented and dedicated performing arts teachers. One of these is David Moellenkamp, the Director of Choral Activities at Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, California.

During his 14 years at the school, David’s choir groups have been named Grand Champions over 175 times, and they have garnered no less than 12 National Grand Championship titles. Prior to coming to Los Alamitos, David spent the first 16 years of his teaching career in central Illinois. There he led the Sullivan Singers Show Choir program to over 100 first place wins, including four National Championships.

David’s choirs have recorded and performed with numerous famous artists, including Barry Manilow, Patti Lupone, and Foreigner. In 2013, he collaborated with the Los Alamitos Education Foundation to produce and direct the Xcite! Show Choir Camps.

In addition to directing school choirs, David spent 14 summers directing and choreographing students at Stagedoor Manor, a well-known performing arts training center in New York. As a result of his work there, more than 100 of his former students have performed on Broadway, appeared on network television, or starred in major motion pictures. David has also spent 14 summers presenting workshops at the Arizona and Missouri Music Educators All State Conventions, and he is a show choir adjudicator and clinician for festivals and schools around the world. And as if all that were not enough, he also teaches Music Education classes at Cal State Long Beach.

Throughout his 31-year career as an educator, David has earned many accolades. Playbill, the iconic Broadway magazine, named him one of the most influential educators inspiring Broadway’s youth. He was named the Kennedy Center Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher of the Year. In 2018, he received the Excellence in Special Education from SELPA. Also, the Fame National Show Choir Series awarded him their Aspire Choir Director of the Year in both 2015 and 2017. Also in 2017, he was named the Teacher of the Year for Los Alamitos School District. In addition, David was a finalist for the 2016 Grammy Teacher of the Year, and in 2015, he was named the Orange County Department of Education Outstanding Secondary Music Educator of the Year.

David earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and his Master’s degree in Administration from National University.

Exceptional music educators lead students in 2022 Macy’s Parade

Posted on by

Once again, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year has wowed spectators, both in person and on television, including me! After watching the talented high school musicians who performed in the annual spectacular, I am always left in awe of the superlative music educators who prepared their students for this event. Here is a little about each of these educators.

 

The Carmel Marching Greyhounds, Director Chris Kreke

Director of Bands Chris Kreke led the Carmel Marching Greyhounds in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Jacob Musselman

The Carmel High School Marching Greyhounds from Carmel, Indiana, made their second appearance in the parade, this one under the direction of Director Chris Kreke. Chris earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ball State University in 1995 and his Master’s degree in Music Technology from Indiana University in 2000.

The Marching Greyhounds garnered the Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Champion Award five times, and was a Grand National Finalist a whopping 24 times. They were named the BOA Super Regional Champion six times and the BOA Regional Champion 17 times. At the state level, the Marching Greyhounds are five-time ISSMA State Champions and have made State Finals for 30 years. The 300-member group made their previous appearance in the Macy’s Parade in 2011, and they also performed in the Rose Parade in 2014 and the London New Year’s Parade in 2004.

The Bourbon County High School Marching Colonels, Director Michael Stone

The Bourbon County Marching Colonels under the direction of  Michael Stone appeared in the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo credit: Bourbon County High School

The 100-member Bourbon County High School Marching Colonels marched in the parade under the leadership of Director of Bands Michael Stone. This was the first Macy’s Parade appearance for the group, who hail from Paris, Kentucky. Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2014 and his Master’s degree in Music Education in 2017, both from Eastern Kentucky University. In 2020, Michael was named the Phi Beta Mu Young Bandmaster of the Year in Kentucky.

Under Michael’s leadership, the Marching Band won the 2018 KMEA Class AAA State Championship and the 2018 and 2019 Bands of America Class A National Championship in his first year as Director. What an accomplishment!

Vandergrift High School Viper Marching Band, Director Katie VanDoren

Also appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was the Vandergrift High School Viper Marching Band from Leander, Texas, under the direction of Katie VanDoren. Photo credit: Four Points News

Director of Bands Katie VanDoren led the 300-member Vandergrift High School Viper Marching Band from Leander, Texas, in the parade. Katie has been teaching at Vandegrift since 2014. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She is currently in her sixth year at Vandegrift High School and her seventh year of teaching high school band.

Their selection for the Macy’s Parade is just the most recent honor the Vandergrift Vipers have earned. The group garnered first place in the 2022 UIL State Marching Band Contest held in San Antonio. They also won the Bands of America Grand National Championships in 2019. The group also captured the Sudler Shield International Marching Band Award and won the Bands of America Regional Championships four times.

Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble, Director Kevin Ford

Appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was the Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble under the leadership of Director Kevin Ford. Photo Credit: Pinellas County Schools

Hailing from Tarpon Springs, Florida, the Tarpon Springs High School Outdoor Performance Ensemble under the leadership of Director Kevin Ford also appeared in the parade. Kevin is presently in his 28th year of teaching in the public school system. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Florida. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Pinellas County Music Educators Association, and he serves as a member of the Bands of America (BOA) Educational Advisory Board.

The 200-member Tarpon Springs group is making its second appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in under 10 years. The ensemble was featured in the 2013 parade. In addition to their selection in the Macy’s event, they were named the BOA Grand National Champions in 2014. The group was crowned BOA Division AA and AAA Class National Champions seven times.

Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band and Color Guard, Director David Lesser

The Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band and Color Guard under the leadership of Director of Bands David Lessing also appeared in the 2022 Macy’s Parade. Photo credit: YourCentralValley.com

And finally, Director of Bands David Lessing appeared with the Clovis North Educational Center Bronco Band and Color Guard from Fresno, California. David was honored in 2020 by the John Philip Sousa Foundation as a Legion of Honor Laureate. In 2006, he was recognized as one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” by School Band and Orchestra (SBO) Magazine. In addition, he was the Fresno Madera County’s Music Educator Association Jazz Educator of the Year in 2005. This is David’s 22nd year of teaching.

The group has been named Western Band Association’s (WBA) Class or Grand Champions five times since 2010. This year’s appearance is the first time the 100-member Bronco group participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.