Nominations for the 2021 Grammy Music Educator Award are now open, and anyone – including teachers—can put forward a candidate.

This year’s finalists included two urban educators, Victor de los Santos of California’s Santa Ana Unified School District and Kokoe Tanaka-Suwan from New York’s Bronx Global Learning Institute. The Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum narrowed the field to 10 from  3,300 nominees from all 50 states.

Last year’s winner was Jeffrey Redding, director of choral activities at West Orange High School in Florida’s Orange County Public Schools. Redding, an Orlando native, won a $10,000 grant with a matching grant for his school plus a trip to the awards ceremony in Los Angeles, where he was introduced to the audience and viewers worldwide by host Alicia Keys.

The award recognizes teachers who have made a significant contribution in the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the cause of music education in schools.

One recipient is selected from among 10 finalists while the others each receive a $1,000 honorarium with matching school grants. In addition, 15 semifinalists receive $500 awards with matching school grants. Multiple organizations support this Grammy award.

Go to www.grammymusicteacher.com to nominate a music educator. The deadline to nominate a teacher is March 15 and the deadline for a teacher to complete their application is March 31.