123. The GRAMMY Music Educator Award Winner, Ms. Annie Ray

My guest for this episode is a Fairfax County Public Schools music teacher, Annie Ray. For many of you listeners, her name will immediately ring a bell. To introduce Annie, I am going to read verbatim from a National Public Radio online article posted on February, 7th, 2024. “GRAMMY Awards don't only go to the people who produce and perform songs. For just over a decade, they've also been given out to those who teach others how to make music. The Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum, recognizes those who have made a "significant contribution and demonstrate a commitment to music education." This year it went to Annie Ray, the performing arts department chair and orchestra director at Annandale High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. She was honored for her efforts to make music accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities. Ray got to attend the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, take selfies with pop stars and bring home both a $10,000 prize and matching grant for her school's music program. But speaking with NPR's Morning Edition, she said she doesn't consider the award to be hers at all. "This is the students' award," she said. "I'm just lucky enough to have been a part of their journey and their process and to have been taught by them." Listeners, you all know that the five themes of the What School Could Be movement are mobilizing your community, student driven learning, real world challenges, assessing for deeper learning and caring and connected communities. Annie Ray’s story might be the greatest example of an educator, or education leader I have interviewed on this show who is tapping into all five themes Annie’s resume in the arts is long and very deep. In addition to two degrees in music from the University of North Texas, she develops training programs and workshops for disability and inclusion at a remarkable organization called String Wise. She is a frequent speaker at conferences on the arts, and I will share with you that my favorite of her topics is titled, Harpe Diem: the Harp in Your Everyday Classroom. How cool is that title? In addition to her GRAMMY Music Educator award and other awards, in 2022 she was named the Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year by the Fairfax County Public Schools. Best of all, Annie’s students say that at times she is “unhinged.” Given this word is the way most of my former history and economics students would describe me, I felt an immediate sense of kinship with my guest. Annie lives in Virginia with her husband, also a musician, and their two young daughters, Eloise and Millie. Editing for this episode was provided by the talented Evan Kurohara. Our theme music comes from the catalogue of pianist Michael Sloan. Please leave us a rating and review wherever you get your podcasts. [NOTE: THE 2ND AND 3RD MUSIC INTERLUDES IN THIS SHOW COME FROM A PERFORMANCE OF BALMAGE'S "GREATER THAN" BY THE BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR ORCHESTRA. YOU CAN HEAR THE FULL PIECE HERE. THE 1ST MUSIC INTERLUDE IS ANNIE RAY PLAYING THE HARP IN CONCERT WITH HER HUSBAND, IRVING.]