Music Educator of the Year Awards
Has a music teacher had a profound impact on your life?
Each year, Buffalo State faculty and students collaborate with dozens of dedicated and talented music educators from around western New York. We choose to recognize a few colleagues each year who have made outstanding contributions to their students, their institution, and the field of music education.
Award Winners
2024-2025 General Music Educator of the Year
Marie Mealer
2024-2025 Choral Music Educator of the Year
Sarah Strohmeier
2024-2025 Instrumental Music Educator of the Year
Joseph Gervase
2023-2024 General Music Educator of the Year
Marissa DeVoe
2023-2024 Choral Music Educator of the Year
Rachel Trillizio
2023-2024 Instrumental Music Educator of the Year
Devin Vogel
2022-2023 Vocal Music Educator of the Year
Kimberly Harrison
2022-2023 Instrumental Music Educator of the Year
Jared Tinkham
2022-2023 General Music Educator of the Year
James DesJardins
2021-2022 Vocal Music Educator of the Year
Erin Holmes
2021-2022 Instrumental Educator of the Year
Timothy Martin
2021-2022 General Music Educator of the Year
Patricia Hills
2020-2021 Instrumental Music Educator of the Year:
Eve Roushey
2020-2021 Choral Music Educator of the Year
Robert Pacillo
2020-2021 General Music Educator of the Year
Kary Dobbs
2018-2019 Buffalo State General Music Educator of the Year
Holly Hudson
2018-2019 Buffalo State Vocal Music Educator of the Year
Heather Lovelace
2018-2019 Buffalo State Instrumental Music Educator of the Year
Paula O'Connor
2017-2018 Choral Music Educator of the Year
Maureen Reilly
2017-2018 General Music Educator of the Year
James Holden
2017-2018 Instrumental Educator of the Year
Craig Poissant
2016-2017 Buffalo State General Music Education of the Year
Virginia Hendra
2016-2017 Buffalo State Instrumental Music Educator of the Year
Amy Steiner
2016-17 Buffalo State Vocal Music Educator of the Year
Jennifer Mernitz
2015-16 Buffalo State Instrumental Music Educator of the Year
Nora Murnane-Robertson
2015-16 Buffalo State General Music Educator of the Year
Carol Horrigan
2015-16 Buffalo State Vocal Music Educator of the Year
Jill Neuhaus
2014-15 Buffalo State Choral Music Educator of the Year
David Curtis
2014-15 General Music Educator of the Year
Veronica Shanchuk
2014-15 Instrumental Music Educator of the Year
Stephen Shewan
2013-14 Buffalo State Instrumental Music Educator of the Year
Phil Aguglia
2013-14 Buffalo State General Music Educator of the Year
Karen Saxon
2013-14 Buffalo State Vocal Music Educator of the Year
Heather Holden