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