Noblesville Schools has announced that Noblesville High School’s (NHS) jazz director and assistant band director Bethany Robinson has been named a national semifinalist for the 2024 GRAMMY Music Educator Awards.
Robinson was previously a GRAMMY finalist for the 2022 award and a semifinalist for the 2023 award.
She is one of only 25 semifinalists selected from over 2,000 nominees across the country and will now compete for the top spot, which includes a $10,000 honorarium and matching grant for NHS.
“I am so grateful to be included as a semifinalist for the 2024 GRAMMY Music Educator Award,” Robinson said. “I could not be more thankful to be surrounded by supportive students, families, community and administration who have encouraged me and shared in the joy as I’ve learned how to empower students through music education. I’m looking forward to this continued journey and appreciate all the support along the way.”
Robinson began teaching music in 2005 at Noblesville Schools and currently serves as the jazz band director and assistant band director at Noblesville High School. She is also chair of the National Association for Music Education Jazz Council and past president of the Indiana Jazz Educators Association.
Robinson was named the 2023 Outstanding High School Music Educator of the Year by the Indiana Music Educators Association and holds several other distinctions including 2014 Indiana Jazz Educator of the Year, 2015 Noblesville Schools Teacher of the Year, Yamaha Performing Artist, and 2016 Indiana Teacher of the Year semifinalist. She is a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and received international acclaim as the 2021 keynote speaker for the Australia National Band and Orchestra Conference.
“Bethany has grown the NHS jazz program exponentially in her time at NHS and has led her students to national recognition for their accomplishments,” NHS Principal Dr. Craig McCaffrey said. “She is an outstanding educator, performer, leader, and advocate for music education. We’re proud of her ongoing accomplishments and are excited to celebrate her success.”
The GRAMMY Music Educator Award recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the music education field and demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.
The top 10 finalists will be announced in December and the overall 2024 winner will be named early next year.
For more information on these prestigious national awards, please visit grammymusicteacher.com.