2027 | MMEA Conference – Awards
88th annual mmea in-service workshop/conference
January 27 – january 31, 2026 * Tan-tar-a conference center
MMEA Honor Awards
Choose the form link below to nominate outstanding educators and administrators to be recognized during the 2027 MMEA
Conference.
| MMEA HALL OF FAME AWARD |
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OBJECTIVE: To honor any individual who has made a lasting or enduring impact on the stature
Qualifications:
Submission Instructions:
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Nominations Open September 1
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Past Reipients MMEA Hall of Fame |
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| 2026 | Dr. Daniel Hellman |
| 2025 |
Chris Becker |
| 2024 | Brian Reeves |
| 2023 | Linda Huck |
| 2022 | Steve Litwiller Jeff Melsha |
| 2021 | David B. Goodwin Sally Hook Carla Oliver James Oliver |
| 2020 | Rob Nichols Skip Vandelicht |
| 2019 | Ron Atteberry Kurt Bauche Russ Berlin Gary Brandes Wendy Sims |
| 2018 | Paul & Elaine Swofford |
| 2017 | Kathy Phillips |
| 2016 | Larry Bennett Thomas Trimborn |
| 2015 | Eph Ehly |
| 2014 | Paul Copenhaver Mary Eichenberger John Hylton Belva Prather |
| 2013 | Janice Bradshaw Robert Boedges |
| 2012 | Sally Herman Fred Willman |
| 2011 | Noel Fulkerson Guy B. Webb Robert Nordman |
| 2010 | Aurelia Hartenberger Martin L. Hook Kenneth Seward |
| 2009 | Doyle Dumas |
| 2008 | David L. Goodwin |
| 2007 | Gerald W. Fuchs Sharon King Niclous H. Leist John C. “Jack” Overbey Luther T. Spayde |
| 2006 | C. Herbert Duncan Bill Grace Robert Gifford Carroll Lewis |
| 2005 | Roy Huckstep Bob Scott Larry McSpadden |
| 2004 | Nancy Seward |
| 2003 | Russell Coleman Jerry Hoover |
| 2002 | Rick Weymuth Lee Schneider Doug Turpin |
| 2001 | Mary Lightfoot Tom Price |
| 2000 | Lowell H. Brunner William G. Mack Sr. John G. Patterson |
| 1999 | Charles W. “Bill” Maupin Hueby E. Moore |
| 1998 | Ed Carson T. Frank Coulter Wynne J. Harrell Larry Hiltabidle Keith House |
| 1994 | Charles Emmons Franklin D. Lewis Elmer W. Pundmann |
| 1993 | John Willer |
| 1992 | Claude T. Smith Tom Mills Jack Stephenson |
| 1990 | Lewis Hilton |
| 1989 | Harold C. Lickey |
| 1986 | Clarence Best Alfred W. Bleckschmidt |
| 1985 |
Paul A. Van Bodegraven |
| OUTSTANDING MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD |
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OBJECTIVE: To recognize a School Administrator who has demonstrated exemplary support of
Qualifications:
Submission Instructions:
Significant contributions may include, but are not limited to:
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Past Reipients MMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award |
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| 2026 | Brad Balog |
| 2025 | Nathan Griffin |
| 2024 | Tony Brown |
| 2023 | Robert Dooley |
| 2022 | Eric Blankenship |
| 2020 | Terri Henry |
| 2019 | John Bell |
| 2018 | Jana Fox |
| 2017 | Kelly Dame |
| 2016 | Rob Babel |
| 2015 | Beth Jinkins |
| 2014 | Andrew Kroesen |
| OUTSTANDING YOUNG MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD |
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OBJECTIVE: To recognize and acknowledge the outstanding teaching of one or more young music educators who have shown extraordinary success early in their careers.
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Past Reipients MMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator Award |
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| 2026 | Brad Balog |
| 2026 | Paul Rueschhoff |
| 2025 | Chris Ramey |
| 2024 | Hannah Aubry |
| 2023 | Hailee Kaestner |
| 2022 | Ben Sachs |
| 2020 | Dominic Zanaboni |
| 2019 | Jacob England |
| 2018 | David Schatz |
| 2017 | Alex Chang |
| 2016 | Todd Borgmann |
| 2015 | Reid Atkinson |
| 2014 | Kiesha Daulton |
| OUTSTANDING ADMINISTRATOR AWARD |
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OBJECTIVE: To recognize a School Administrator who has demonstrated exemplary support of music education.
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Past Reipients Outstanding Administrator Award |
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| 2026 | Tamitha Ritter, Ava High School |
| 2025 | Dr. Kyle Dare, Rolla Public Schools |
| 2024 | Thomas Alderman, Blue Springs High School |
| 2023 | Dr. Don Andrews, Lee’s Summit R-7 |
| 2023 | Dr. Chris Ford, Fordland R-III |
| 2022 | Dr. Kyle Kruse, St. Clair R-13 School District |
| 2020 | Jason Miller, Elsberry School District |
| 2019 | Donna Jahnke, Ladue School District |
| 2018 | Clint Johnston, Jefferson R-7 School District |
| 2017 | Jennifer Schmidt, Sullivan High School |
| OUTSTANDING MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR AWARD |
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OBJECTIVE: To recognize a Department Chair, District Music Administrator, or Director of Fine Arts who has demonstrated exemplary support of music education.
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Past Reipients Outstanding Music Administrator Award |
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| 2026 | Dr. Julia Gaines, University of Missouri |
| 2025 | Aaron Money, Liberty Public Schools |
| OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR AWARD |
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OBJECTIVE:
- To recognize an individual, organization, or corporation who/which has contributed in an extraordinary manner to the support of music education in the State of Missouri.
Coming Soon!
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Past Reipients Russell & Dorothy Chambers Outstanding Contributor Award |
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| 2025 |
Nottelmann Music |
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| 2024 | Reneé Vandiver, MLR |
| 2023 | Midwest Sheet Music |
| 2022 | Walton Music/GIA Publications |
| 2020 | Kathy Bhat |
| 2019 | KHS America & Dan McCaffrey |
| 2018 | John Patterson |
| 2017 | Lake of the Ozark CBB |
| 2016 | Shhh Productions |
| 2015 | Bob & Ann Waggoner |
| 2014 | J.W. Pepper |
| 2013 | Tan-Tar-A |
| 2011 | Leigh Kallestad |
| 2010 | Frank Hennessy |
| 2007 | Band Instrument Service Co. |
| 2006 | Meyer Music Company |
| 2004 | James Cochran, Shattinger Music |
| 2000 | Wingert-Jones Music Co. |
| 1998 | Arch Martin |
| 1996 | Russell & Dorothy Chambers |
| 25-YEAR SERVICE AWARD |
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OBJECTIVE: To recognize and celebrate that have completed 25 years of teaching music.
Coming Soon!
Learn More
