OMEA Award Nomination Window Open from June 1 - November 1
Submit award nominations through the google form links
Award recipients will be announced at the annual conference in January.
Award Nomination Google Form Links:
Excellence in Elementary Music Education
Exemplary Service to the Profession
John C. McManus Distinguished Teacher
Outstanding Administrator Award
Outstanding Early Career Music Educator Award
Outstanding Middle School Music Educator Award
Past OMEA Awards Recipients
Congratulations and thank you for your support of music education in the State of Oregon!
Click here for to view all OMEA Award Winners alphabetically.
Excellence in Elementary Music Education
This Award Recognizes- commitment to elementary music education and remarkable achievement in focusing on teaching children through music.
2007 - Denise Phillips, Elementary Music Jacob Wismer Elementary School, Portland
2008 - Melinda Jordan, Elementary Music Verne Duncun Elementary School, Happy Valley
2009- Suzanne Light, General Music Irving Elementary School, Eugene
2010 - Wendy Appleton, General Music Sam Boardman Elementary School, Boardman
2011 - Louise Kienzle, General Music Humbolt Elementary School, John Day
2012 - Richard Greiner, General Music Archer Glen & Eddy Ridge Elementary Schools, Newberg
2013 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2014 - Donna Kagan, Elementary Music Stafford Primary School, Portland
2015 - Jennifer Mohr Colette, Elementary Music Fir Grove Elementary School, Beaverton
2016 - Kimberly Putnam, Elementary Music Hazeldale Elementary School, Beaverton
2017 - Corin Parker, General Music Chenowith Elementary School, The Dalles
2018 - DeLee Brown, General Music Kalapuya Elementary School, Salem
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Val Ellett, General Music Gilbert Park Elementary School, Portland
2021 - Kendra Kay Friar, General Music Pacificy Universtiy, Forest Grove
2022 - Steve Phillips, General Music Auburn Elementary School, Salem
2023 - Allison Hedgepeth, General Music Forest Hills Elementary School, Lake Oswego
Exemplary Service to the Profession
This Award Recognizes- significant contributions to the music education profession through leadership, service, and advocacy.
2008 - Toni Skelton, Meyers Elementary School, Salem
2009 - Marlan Carlson, Oregon State University, Corvallis
2010- Karl Raschkes, Salem-Keizer School District, Salem
2011 - Mike Wallmark, Oregon Schools Activity Association, Beaverton
2012 - Chuck Bolton, Oregon Schools Activity Association, Gresham
2013 - Joint conference with Northwest no awards given
2014 - Jane and Jim Howell, OMEA, La Grande
2015 - Christopher Silva, David Douglas High School, Portland
2016 - Greg Weast, Columbia River Music, The Dalles
2017 - Mary Ann Vidourek, Seven Peaks School, Bend
2018 - Max McKee, Bandworld, Eugene
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Dave Becker, Lewis and Clark University, Portland
2021 - Larry Graves, Bend School District, Bend
2022 - Stuart Welsh, West Albany High School, Albany
2023 - Scott McKee, Bandworld, Eugene
John C. McManus Distinguished Teacher
This award is to honor those with a life-time of service to music education with a highly distinguished record of professional accomplishment.
2000 - John McManus, University of Oregon, Eugene
2002 - Jane Forvilly, Elmira High School, Elmira
2004 - Randall Moore, University of Oregon, Eugene
2005 - Dave Becker, Lewis and Clark College, Portland
2006 - Gary Frame, South Salem High School, Salem
2007 - Sally Mc Bride, Adams Elementary School, Corvallis
2008 - Chuck Bolton, Sam Barlow High School, Gresham
2009 - Ben Brooks, Reynolds High School, Gresham
2010 - Charles Creighton, Crescent Valley High School, Corvallis
2011 - Gene Burton, Dexter McCarty Middle School, Gresham
2012 - Debbie Glaze, Portland State University, Portland
2013 - Joint conference with Northwest no awards given
2014 - Loren Wenz George Fox University, Newberg
2016 - Dick Elliott, George Fox University, Newberg
2017 - Dr. Tina Bull, Oregon State University, Corvallis
2018 - Michael Burch-Pesses, Pacific University, Forest Grove
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Nita Van Pelt, Lake Oswego School District, Lake Oswego
2021 - Steve Peter, Pacific Universtiy, Forest Grove
2022 - Patrick Vandehey, Portland State University, Portland
2023 - Scott Tuomi, Pacific University, Forest Grove
Outstanding Administrator Award
In recognition of outstanding contributions to music education through administrative support
2009 - Peyton Chapman, Lincoln High School, Portland
2010 - Cherie Stroud, Crescent Valley High School, Corvallis
2010 - Dan Jamison, Sherwood School District, Sherwood
2011 - Lynn Baker, Summit High School, Bend
2012 - Joel Sebastian, Baker Paine Middle School, Canby
2013 - Joint conference with Northwest no awards given
2014 - Rene Cardiff, South Middle School, Grants Pass
2014 - Ed John, West Salem High School, Salem
2015 - Ron Beick, North Medford High School, Medford
2015 - Don Grotting, David Douglas School District, Portland
2016 - Laura Perez, Straub Middle School, Salem
2017 - Brent Belveal, South Albany High School, Albany
2018 - Sandra Harris, Redmond School District, Redmond
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Bruce Schmidt, Sam Barlow High School, Gresham
2021 - Guadalupe Guerrero, Portland Public Schools, Portland
2021 - Lara Tiffin, South Salem High School, Salem
2022 - Dr. Karen Gray, Lincoln County School District, Newport
2023 - David Nieslanik, Southridge High School, Beaverton
Outstanding Contributor Award
In recognition of significant contributions to the Oregon Music Education Association. Individual, business, or organization that has contributed to music education in an extraordinary manner through service, leadership, or advocacy through music business, arts organizations, or advocacy.
2009 - Janet Stewart, University of Oregon, Eugene
2010 - Lindy Wunn, Wunn Music Repair, Troutdale
2011 - Keith Weathers, Weathers Music, Salem
2012 - Steven M. Zielke, Oregon State University, Corvallis
2014 - Ron Jeffers, Oregon State University, Corvallis
2013 - Joint conference with Northwest no awards given
2015 - Charlie Eads, KGAL/KSHO Radio Station, Lebanon
2016 - Al Kato, Jesuit High School, Portland
2017 - Larry Chamberlain, Yamaha Corporation, Portland
2018 - Joe Rohrbacher, Just Joe's Music, Bend
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Philip Hodapp, School Service Representative, Beacock's Music
2021 - Randy Graves and Peter Heithoff, Bend Instrument Repair
2022 - Jennifer Mohr Colette, Fir Grove Elementary School, Beaverton
2023 - Randy Kem, Willamette Valley Music Company, Salem
Outstanding Early Career Music Educator
In recognition of teachers in the beginning of their career who are showing exemplary work with their students and in their communities. Ideal candidates for this award are within the first 7 years of their teaching career, inspire exemplary musicianship in their students, and have been an active participant in OMEA events.
2022 - John Lampos, Beaumont Middle School, Portland
2022 - Cooper Ottum, Summit High School, Bend
2023 - Cole Haole-Valenzuela, West Salem High School, Salem
Outstanding Middle School Music Educator
In recognition of an educators' commitment to middle-school/junior high music education and remarkable achievement in focusing on teaching children through music.
2022 - Ann McBride, West Orient Middle School, Gresham
2023 - Mandy Burton, Rosa Parks Middle School, Portland
2023 - Jennifer Kercher, Walker Middle School, Salem
Outstanding Music Educator
In recognition of exemplary teaching in music education. These educators exemplify outstanding achievement in the field of music education
2006 - Richard Elliott, Newberg High School, Newberg
2007 - Russell Christensen, Sprague High School, Salem
2008 - Mary Lou Boderman, South Salem High School, Salem
2009 - Jim Howell, La Grande High School, La Grande
2010 - Patrick Vandehey, George Fox University, Newberg
2011 - John Hammond, Warrenton High School, Warrenton
2012 - Joe Ingram, Shasta Middle School, Eugene
2013 - Joint conference with Northwest no awards given
2014 - Ike Nail, Western Oregon University, Monmouth
2015 - Mark Steighner, Hood River Valley High School, Hood River
2016 - John Hillan, Lowrie Primary School, Wilsonville
2017 - Dave Sime, Ridgeview High School, Redmond
2017 - Marcia Stevens, Corvallis High School, Corvallis
2018 - Chris Chapman, Oregon State University, Corvallis
2018 - Cinda Reeves-Snyder, Alder Creek Middle School, Milwaukie
2019 - Joint conference with Northwest - no awards given
2020 - Ken Graber, North Bend High School, North Bend
2021 - Dijana Ihas, Pacific University, Forest Grove
2022 - Carol Stenson, Salem-Keizer School District, Salem
2023 - Robert Ponto, University of Oregon, Eugene
OMEA Lifetime Achievement Award
2018 - Jim & Jane Howell, past OMEA Executive Directors, retired 2017
