CSO Music Educator Award Winners

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Ohio State School of Music Alumni

Established in 1997, the Columbus Symphony’s Music Educator Awards recognize those individuals who instill and inspire a love of music in the children and adults of central Ohio. The purpose of these annual awards is to promote a greater understanding of and appreciation for music education, as well as to honor those individuals who are making a real difference in our community through their dedication to music education. One award is honored in each of the following categories: Elementary Music Educator • Secondary Music Educator • Community Music Educator

The Music Educator Awards are presented at an annual dinner held in downtown Columbus and each Music Educator Award winner receives a monetary grant to be spent at their direction for a broad range of music education endeavors, such as purchasing music, instrument repair, or professional development classes for the educator. 2023 Awardees 

The Ohio State School of Music is proud to count many of its alumni among those recognized by the CSO.

2023

Samuel Richardson, Lifetime Achievement Award • Columbus Alternative High School — Columbus City Schools

Brandon Moss, Secondary Music Educator Award • Upper Arlington High School — Upper Arlington City School District •  MM and DMA, The Ohio State University and BME, Otterbein University

Brian Petit, Elementary Music Educator Award • Stevenson Elementary- Grandview Heights Schools • BME, The Ohio State University and MME, Capital University

Larry Klabunde, Private/Community Educator • Director of the Westerville Community Band • MA, The Ohio State University

2022

Ryan Alexis, Secondary Music Educator Award • Director of Bands, Kilbourne Middle School; pit orchestra director, Thomas Worthington HS; Pride of Cardinal Country Marching Band staff;  director of Junior Winds (grades 8–10), Capital University • Bachelor of Music Education, The Ohio State University

Rick Brunetto, Private and Community Educator Award • Columbus Italian Festival Chair and owner of Valley Dale Ballroom • Master of Music, The Ohio State University

Tim Gerber, Emeritus faculty, music education (1984–2017), Citation of Excellence Award, for lifelong dedication to the Columbus Symphony's education initiatives and commitment to engaging students with the Columbus Symphony

2021

Jim Masters, Lifetime Achievement Award • Jazz Educator • Associated Faculty, The Ohio State University

Brian Stevens, Secondary Music Educator Award • Director of Bands, Dublin Jerome High School, Dublin City Schools • Bachelor of Music Education, The Ohio State University

Jill Crist, Private and Community Educator Award • Private cello teacher, Columbus Cello School • Master of Music, The Ohio State University

2020

Daniel Gleich, Secondary Music Educator Award • Instrumental Music Teacher, Centennial High School, Columbus City Schools • Bachelor of Music Education, The Ohio State University

2019

Karla Cherwinski, Elementary Music Educator Award • General Music Teacher, Indian Trails Elementary School, Canal Winchester Local Schools • Master of Music Education, The Ohio State University

2018

Constantino Benedetti, Elementary Music Educator Award • Upper Arlington Schools
Bachelor of Music Education, The Ohio State University

Kathy Larkins, Community Music Educator Award • Director, Columbus Chorus, Sweet Adelines International • Bachelor of Music Education, The Ohio State University

2017

Bruce Carlson, Secondary Music Educator Award • Columbus City Schools
Bachelor of Music Education, The Ohio State University

Tatiana Kats, Community Music Educator Award • Artistic Director, Columbus International Children's Chorus
Master’s in choral conducting and piano pedagogy, The Ohio State University

2016

Randy Frazier, Elementary Music Educator Award • Diocese of Columbus

Betty Hill, Community Music Educator Award • Unified Arts Coordinator, Columbus City Schools
Master’s in Music Education, The Ohio State University

2015

Stephanie K. Smith, Secondary Music Educator Award • Teays Valley Local School District
Bachelor of Music Education, The Ohio State University

Jeffrey W. Schneider, Community Music Educator Award • Community Volunteer
Bachelor of Music Education, The Ohio State University

2014

Richard J. Suddendorf (former Ohio State trumpet faculty, 1956–70), Community Music Educator Award • Director, Westerville Community Bands

2013

Deborah Forsblom, Elementary Music Educator Award • Bexley City Schools

Todd Philipps, Secondary Music Educator Award • Canal Winchester Local Schools

2012

Yeh-Fen Chin, Elementary Music Educator Award • Avondale & West Broad Elementary Schools, Columbus City Schools

John S. Long, Secondary Music Educator Award • Pickerington HS Central, Pickerington Local Schools

2011

Deborah Graham-Gibson, Elementary Music Educator Award • Upper Arlington Schools

2009

Teri Gray, Elementary Music Educator Award • London Elementary School, London City Schools

Jeff Harriman, Secondary Music Educator Award • Whitehall-Yearling High School
Bachelor of Music Education, The Ohio State University

2008

Carol Agler, Secondary Music Educator Award • Ohio State School for the Blind

2006

Richard J. Burkart, Community Music Educator Award • Clintonville Community Band

2005

Larry Griffin, Secondary Music Educator Award • Worthington City Schools

2004

Deanna Olson, Elementary Music Educator Award • Worthington City Schools

Deborah Price, Community Music Educator Award • Director, The Chamber Music Connection

2003

Emily Gil, Elementary Music Educator Award • Worthington City Schools

2002

Randy Warner, Elementary Music Educator Award • Upper Arlington Schools

Samuel P. Richardson, Secondary Music Educator Award • Columbus Public Schools

James Swearingen, Community Music Educator Award • Professor of Music, Capital University Conservatory

2001

James Dowdy, Secondary Music Educator Award • Worthington City Schools

Sandra Mathias, Community Music Educator Award • Artistic Director, Columbus Children's Choir

2000

Nonon Mooney, Elementary Music Educator Award • Montrose Elementary School, Bexley City Schools

Elaine Ostrander, Community Music Educator Award • Music Director, Worthington Civic Band

1999

Carol Bishop Meyers, Elementary Music Educator Award • Columbus Public Schools

Rebecca Ogden, Community Music Educator Award • Founder/Director, Columbus Music Hall

1998

Jayne Wenner, Elementary Music Educator Award • Hilliard City Schools

Janice Cook, Community Music Educator Award • Private Piano, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music

1997

Carol Welk, Elementary Music Educator Award • Columbus Public Schools

George Edge, Secondary Music Educator Award • South-Western City Schools