The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum have announced the annual Music Educator Award quarterfinalists, honoring impactful music educators in the US. The final recipient will be honored during GRAMMY Week 2026, ahead of the 2026 GRAMMY Awards.
Nominees
The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum have announced the 2026 Music Educator Award quarterfinalists. Over 2,000 initial nominations were submitted, and 200 music teachers from 180 cities are currently in the running. In addition to these quarterfinalists, 214 legacy applicants from 2025 will also be eligible to win this year’s award.
The semi-finalists for the award will be announced in September. The final 2026 Music Educator Award recipient will be honored during GRAMMY Week 2026, officially known as the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
Inspiration
The inspiration behind the award is to encourage music education and honor those who teach it. The GRAMMY Museum has a statement in part, “For every performer who makes it to the GRAMMY stage, there was a teacher who played a critical role in getting them there. And really, that’s true for all of us who are making music today. Maybe they introduced you to your first instrument. Or they showed you how to get over your stage fright. Or they inspire you to be confident enough to go for it when you are ready to give up.
It’s time to thank ALL those teachers who put in ALL those hours to ensure that ALL of us love and play music today. And who better to do that than the people who bring you the GRAMMY Awards?”
The Music Educator Award
The Music Educator Award is brought to recipients by a joint partnership and presentation from the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum. The award honors current educators, no matter the grade or whether it is public or private education, who have significantly impacted the field.
The honorees have made a lasting contribution to music education and demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in public and private schools.
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation’s generosity and support make the Music Educator Award program, including honorariums, possible.
In addition, the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association support this program through outreach to their constituencies.
Award Process
The Music Educator Award is open to current US music educators. Anyone can nominate a teacher, including students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators.
Teachers can also nominate themselves. Each nominee is notified and invited to fill out an application.
Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and celebrated for their remarkable impact on students’ lives. The award’s ultimate recipient, honored in 2026 as the 12th honoree, will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 2026 GRAMMYs and a host of GRAMMY Week 2026 events.
Finalists Awards
The nine finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants.
