Music Educator Award

WCNY Classic FM is excited to present the Music Educator Award!

As part of the station’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 2022, Classic FM launched a new award program honoring local music educators in our community who are dedicated to sustaining the performing arts and have had a strong positive influence on their students.

Nominate a music educator today by filling out the nomination form on our website. A WCNY committee will review the nominations, and select a new honoree at least monthly.

The Music Educator Award will be announced LIVE on Classic FM, and the honoree will receive a special plaque presented by a WCNY representative during a music class, or other appropriate gathering. They will also be given the opportunity to bring an ensemble to the WCNY Studios in Syracuse to record a brief performance, which will air on Classic FM.

During the 2023-24 school year, WCNY’s Classic FM presented music teachers around Central New York with the Classic FM Music Educator Award. In this half-hour special, we celebrate the eight honorees of this ongoing awards program, who are not only teaching the next generation of musicians but also nurturing values of compassion and confidence in our youth.

Our Teachers, Our Future: The 2022-23 Music Educator Awards

During the 2022-23 school year, WCNY’s Classic FM presented music teachers around Central New York with the Classic FM Music Educator Award. In this half-hour special, we celebrate the ten honorees from year one of this ongoing awards program, who are not only teaching the next generation of musicians but also nurturing values of compassion and confidence in our youth.

Oct. Honoree: Stephen Salem (Liverpool High School)

Sept. Honoree: Danielle Rausa (Cicero-North Syracuse High School)

May Honoree: Sharon Phetteplace (Cortland Junior/Senior High School)

April Honoree: Luba Lesser (McKinley-Brighton Elementary School)

March Honoree: Steve Button (Canastota Junior/Senior High School)

Feb. Honoree: Alison Miles (Fabius-Pompey Middle/High School)

Jan. Honoree: Casey Vanderstouw (Charles W. Baker High School)

Nov. Honoree: Eric Petit-McClure (Nottingham High School)

Oct. Honoree: Bethany Colenzo (Holland Patent Central Schools)

Sept. Honoree: Erica Walters (Cayuga Community College)

June Honoree: Teresa Mirakian (Manlius Pebble Hill School)


May Honoree: Dave Hawthorne (Oneida High School)


April Honoree: Pam Mastrobattisto (Pine Grove Middle School)


March Honoree: Lindsay Palmer (McGraw High School)


Feb. Honoree: Karen Veverka (Skaneateles High School)


Jan. Honoree: Kevin Upcraft (Mexico Middle School)


Dec. Honoree: Maggie Mercer (West Genesee Middle School)


Nov. Honoree: Karen Seamans (Cicero-North Syracuse High School)


Oct. Honoree: Shawn Hebert (Fayetteville-Manlius High School)

Sept. Honoree: Maggie Dougherty (Cazenovia High School)