Noblesville Schools has announced that Noblesville High School’s (NHS) jazz director and assistant band director Bethany Robinson has been named a top 10 national finalist for the 2022 Grammy Music Educator Awards.
Robinson
Robinson was selected from over 1,100 nominees across the country and will now compete for the top spot, which includes a $10,000 honorarium and matching grant for NHS.
“We couldn’t be prouder of Bethany and the expertise, dedication, creativity and care she brings to her students and our school every day,” said NHS Principal Dr. Craig McCaffrey. “We’re lucky that she shares her talents with us and are excited to support her as she continues to make her mark in the world of music education.”
Recent NHS graduate Nate Peck shared the following: “Every single student who walks through that [jazz] program would agree that [Robinson’s] classroom, as well as her teaching specifically, changed their life to some degree. Most would say that her classroom was a pivotal moment on their journey to professionalism and a happier, healthier life.”
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 chair-elect for the National Association for Music Education Jazz Council, and president of the Indiana Jazz Educators Association. Robinson was named 2014 Indiana Jazz Educator of the Year, 2015 Noblesville Schools Teacher of the Year and was a 2016 Indiana Teacher of the Year semi-finalist. She is a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and recent keynote speaker for the 2021 Australia National Band and Orchestra Conference.
Robinson’s top jazz ensemble placed second at the National Jazz Festival in 2021 and was also named a finalist for the 2021 Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival, landing one of the coveted 15 spots out of all the High School Jazz Bands in North America.
For more information on these prestigious national awards, visit grammymusicteacher.com.