Music Educators Saluted by State Music Association

Board Member Kevin Beiser, left, Area
Superintendent Marian Phelps, M. Nicholson.

Educators from throughout the district were honored during the annual Fortissimo Awards of Excellence, which salutes music educators and their site administrators for exceptional work in music education.

Honorees from the San Diego Unified School District were: Laura Smith, Outstanding Elementary Music Specialist, Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department; Brad Sullivan, Outstanding General Music Educator, Dailard Elementary; Katherine Girvin, Outstanding Choral Educator , Marshall Middle School; Russell Shedd, Outstanding Orchestra Educator, Scripps Ranch High School; Marc Dwyer, Outstanding Jazz Educator, Correia Middle School; Carmi Strom, Outstanding Vice Principal, Wangenheim Middle School; Michelle Irwin, Outstanding Principal, Marshall Middle School; Marian Kim-Phelps, Outstanding District Administrator, Area Superintendent; Cameron Brown, Fortissimo Choice Award , University City High School.

The awards are given annually by the California Association for Music Education and the San Diego County Office of Education. The April 12 ceremony was hosted by Kevin Beiser, District B Board of Education Member, San Diego Unified School District.

Board Member Kevin Beiser, left, Wangeheim
Vice Principal Carmi Strom, M. Nicholson.

"Congratulations to these outstanding educators who understand and support the importance of a quality music education for every student," said VAPA Director Karen Childress-Evans.

For more information on the program, contact Childress-Evans at (858) 539-5349 or kchildressevans@sandi.net. For more information on the awards, go to the California Association for Music Education website.