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212 Quarterfinalists Announced For The 2024 Music Educator Award
The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum have announced the quarterfinalists for the 2024 Music Educator Award, which recognizes educators who have made a significant contribution and demonstrate a commitment to music education.
Today, the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum have announced a total of 212 music teachers as quarterfinalists for the 2024 Music Educator Award, which recognizes current educators — kindergarten through college across public and private schools — who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. The quarterfinalists, who hail from 197 cities, were selected from more than 2,000 initial submitted nominations. In addition to the quarterfinalists, 123 legacy applicants from 2023 will also be eligible to win the Music Educator Award this year.
Semi-finalists for the 2024 Music Educator Award will be announced this September. The ultimate recipient will be recognized during GRAMMY Week 2024.
A joint partnership and presentation between the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum, the Music Educator Award is open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone can nominate a teacher — students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers are also able to nominate themselves, and nominated teachers are notified and invited to fill out an application.
Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students' lives. The 10th annual honoree will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 2024 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 66th GRAMMY Awards, as well as a range of GRAMMY Week events. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants. Fifteen semi-finalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants.
Read More: 8 Artists Who Were Inspired By Their Teachers: Rihanna, Adele, Jay-Z & More
The matching grants provided to the schools are made possible by the generosity and support of the GRAMMY Museum’s Education Champion Ford Motor Company Fund. In addition, the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association support this program through outreach to their constituencies.
Learn more about the Music Educator Award.
See the full list of the 2024 Music Educator Award quarterfinalists and legacy applicants below:
2024 MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD QUARTERFINALISTS
Name | School | City | State | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Casie Adams | Martinsburg High School | Martinsburg | West Virginia | |
Bruce Adams | Sam Houston High School | San Antonio | Texas | |
Miguel Aguiar | Southwest High School | San Antonio | Texas | |
Derek Alexander | Orville Bright Elementary School | Chicago | Illinois | |
Dawn Amthor | Wallkill Senior High School | Wallkill | New York | |
Jonathan Anderson | University High School (Volusia) | Orange City | Florida | |
Christopher Andrews | Hephzibah High School | Hephzibah | Georgia | |
Jeanne Andrews | Pauline J. Petway Elementary School | Vineland | New Jersey | |
Justin Antos | Dwight D. Eisenhower High School | Blue Island | Illinois | |
Javier Arau | New York Jazz Academy | New York | New York | |
Andrea Armour | Christian County Middle School | Hopkinsville | Kentucky | |
Timothy Arnold | Orono High School | Long Lake | Minnesota | |
Shawn Athey | Veterans Memorial High School | Corpus Christi | Texas | |
Elizabeth Baker | Mary Martin Elementary | Weatherford | Texas | |
Jeremy Bartunek | Greenbriar School | Northbrook | Illinois | |
Adem Birson | New York University | New York | New York | |
Benjamen Blasko | Lipscomb University | Nashville | Tennessee | |
Amanda Blevins | Tri-Valley High School | Dresden | Ohio | |
Susan Boddie | Valdosta State University | Valdosta | Georgia | |
Adrain Bonner | Lancaster High School | Lancaster | Texas | |
Cherie Bowe | Pascagoula High School | Pascagoula | Mississippi | |
Andrew Bowerly | Tenino High School | Tenino | Washington | |
George Bradshaw | Dover Area High School | Dover | Pennsylvania | |
Gwendolyn Brazier | Lathrop High School | Fairbanks | Alaska | |
Steve Browne | Nashville Community High School | Nashville | Illinois | |
Matthew Brusseau | Davie County High School | Mocksville | North Carolina | |
Ryan Bulgarelli | Loyalsock Township High School | Williamsport | Pennsylvania | |
Cathryn Burt | East Newton High School | Granby | Missouri | |
James Byrn, Jr. | Maconaquah High School | Bunker Hill | Indiana | |
Mary Catherine Campbell | Seven Pines Elementary | Sandston | Virginia | |
Helen Capehart | Bridgeport High School | Bridgeport | Texas | |
Marcos Carreras | Conservatory of The Arts | Springfield | Massachusetts | |
Michael "Patrick" Carte | Scott High School | Madison | West Virginia | |
Curtis Carver | Harlem High School | Harlem | Georgia | |
Roger Chagnon III | Westfield Academy and Central School | Westfield | New York | |
Kristopher Chandler | Gautier High School | Gautier | Mississippi | |
Jeff Chang | Decatur High School | Federal Way | Washington | |
Krista Clay | West Branch High School | Beloit | Ohio | |
Travis Coakley | William Carey University | Hattiesburg | Mississippi | |
Vanessa Cobb | Montgomery Central High School | Cunningham | Tennessee | |
Mark Collins | John S. Battle High School | Bristol | Virginia | |
Trish Conover | Community Middle School | Plainsboro | New Jersey | |
John Contreras | Pueblo High School | Tucson | Arizona | |
Kyle Cook | Western Branch Middle School | Chesapeake | Virginia | |
Travis Cook | Plymouth Christian Academy | Canton | Michigan | |
Daniel Cook | University of North Texas | Denton | Texas | |
Andrew Cote | Merrimack College | North Andover | Massachusetts | |
Drew Cowell | Belleville East High School | Belleville | Illinois | |
Cory Craig | Benton Intermediate School | Benton | Louisiana | |
Matthew Cunningham | Brockton High School | Brockton | Massachusetts | |
Shannon Curtis | Zimmerman Middle High School | Zimmerman | Minnesota | |
Isaac Daniel | Stax Music Academy | Memphis | Tennessee | |
Jim Daughters | Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau | Missouri | |
Marci DeAmbrose | Lincoln Southwest High School | Lincoln | Nebraska | |
Jackie Deen | Pottsboro High School | Pottsboro | Texas | |
Matthew Denman | Classen School of Advanced Studies | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | |
Ryan Diefenderfer | Paradise Valley High School | Phoenix | Arizona | |
Jennifer DiVasto | Pennridge High School | Perkasie | Pennsylvania | |
Antoine Dolberry | P.S. 103x Hector Fontanez | Bronx | New York | |
George Dragoo | Stevens High School | Rapid City | South Dakota | |
Marisa Drake | Patuxent High School | Lusby | Maryland | |
Kathleen Dudley | Andrew Cooke Magnet School | Waukegan | Illinois | |
Jonathan Eising | James Hubert Blake High School | Silver Spring | Maryland | |
Jonathan Eldridge | Weston High School | Weston | Massachusetts | |
Carol Evans | Gwynedd Mercy University | Gwynedd Valley | Pennsylvania | |
Anthony Ferreira | Suffield High | West Suffield | Connecticut | |
Tamara Frazier | North Valleys High School | Reno | Nevada | |
J.D. Frizzell | Briarcrest Christian School | Eads | Tennessee | |
Chesteron Frye | St. Helena College & Career Academy | Greensburg | Louisiana | |
Nicholas Garofalo | Chattahoochee High School | Johns Creek | Georgia | |
Matt Gerry | Salina South Middle School | Salina | Kansas | |
Anna Girling | Sebastopol Attendance Center | Sebastopol | Mississippi | |
Vivian Gonzalez | Miami Arts Studio 6-12 @ Zelda Glazer | Miami | Florida | |
Johnathan Gore | Sandy Run K8 School | Swansea | South Carolina | |
Serena Gorham | Weare Middle School | Weare | New Hampshire | |
Kylie Griffin | Dozier Elementary | Erath | Louisiana | |
Jess Gronberg | Hawkes Bluff Elementary | Davie | Florida | |
Alan Guckian | Manor High School | Manor | Texas | |
Nathaniel Gunter | Greer High School | Greer | South Carolina | |
Amy Hannequin | Bethel Middle School | Bethel | Connecticut | |
Crystal Harding | Ypsilanti Community High School | Ypsilanti | Michigan | |
Diana Harrigan | Bloom High School | Chicago Heights | Illinois | |
Toye Harris | Miami High School | Miami | Oklahoma | |
Chris Hayslette | Bridgeport Middle School | Bridgeport | West Virginia | |
Colette Hebert | Ella Fitzgerald Academy | Yonkers | New York | |
Martha Heise | Seventh Street Elementary School | Oil City | Pennsylvania | |
Jonathan Helmick | Slippery Rock University | Slippery Rock | Pennsylvania | |
Corey Hermens | Grant County High School | Dry Ridge | Kentucky | |
Joel Hill | Velma Jackson High School and Shirley D. Simmons Middle School | Camden | Mississippi | |
Autumn Danielle Hodges | Clarksville- Kraus Middle School | Clarksville | Arkansas | |
Elaine Holmes | Comsewogue High School | Port Jefferson Station | New York | |
Gene Hundley | Swainsboro Middle School | Swainsboro | Georgia | |
Victor Iapalucci | Philip Barbour High School | Philippi | West Virginia | |
Devin James | Salem High School | Conyers | Georgia | |
Heidi Jaye | Daniel Webster Elementary School | New Rochelle | New York | |
Luke Johnson | Ingalls Elementary | Ingalls | Kansas | |
Jamie Jones | Manzano Day School | Albuquerque | New Mexico | |
Tyler Jones | Thompson Middle School | Alabaster | Alabama | |
Daniel Joosten | Edgerton High School | Edgerton | Wisconsin | |
Brett Keith | Northern Bedford County Middle/High School | Loysburg | Pennsylvania | |
Deonte Kennedy | Craigmont High School | Memphis | Tennessee | |
Matthew Kilby | Fort Dorchester HS | North Charleston | South Carolina | |
Lou Kitchner | Bedford Middle School | Westport | Connecticut | |
Michael Kiyoi | San Marcos High School | Santa Barbara | California | |
Kate Klotz | Monarch High School | Louisville | Colorado | |
Heidi Kohler | Clarence Middle School | Clarence | New York | |
Michael Lapomardo | Shrewsbury High School | Shrewsbury | Massachusetts | |
Michael Lee | Jericho Middle School | Jericho | New York | |
Morgan Lentino | Otter Creek Elementary | Elgin | Illinois | |
Joshua Light | Soddy-Daisy HS | Soddy-Daisy | Tennessee | |
Lisa Linde | Newton South High school | Newton | Massachusetts | |
Wes Lowe | The King's Academy | West Palm Beach | Florida | |
Cole Lundquist | Gloucester High School | Gloucester | Massachusetts | |
Robert Mamminga | St. Francis High School | Wheaton | Illinois | |
Peter Manzi | Carlsbad High School | Carlsbad | California | |
Samuel Maran | Lake High School | Millbury | Ohio | |
Jayson Martinez | Arts High School | Newark | New Jersey | |
Kevin McDonald | Wellesley High School | Wellesley | Massachusetts | |
Jill Melchitzky | Northwestern Middle School | Albion | Pennsylvania | |
Larrian Menifee | Ball High School | Galveston | Texas | |
Kimberly Mettert | East Noble Middle School | Kendallville | Indiana | |
Natalie Moore | Sullivan High School | Sullivan | Missouri | |
Mario Morales | Granbury High School | Granbury | Texas | |
Coty Raven Morris | Portland State University | Portland | Oregon | |
Brian Nabors | Shelby High School | Shelby | Ohio | |
Jenny Neff | The University of the Arts | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | |
Cassandra Nelson | Mountaineer Middle | Morgantown | West Virginia | |
Trevor Nicholas | Senn Arts at Nicholas Senn High School | Chicago | Illinois | |
Adam Nobile | Big Spring High School | Newville | Pennsylvania | |
Sam Noyce | Thomas Jefferson Jr. High School | Kearns | Utah | |
Tim O'Donnell | Ephrata High School | Ephrata | Washington | |
John Panella | Cottondale High School | Cottondale | Florida | |
James Patterson | Kingstree High School | Kingstree | South Carolina | |
Shakia Paylor | City Neighbors High School | Baltimore | Maryland | |
Fernando Penaloza | Savanna High School | Anaheim | California | |
Kathy Perconti | Wayne Central High School | Ontario Center | New York | |
Jordan Peters | Dr. E Alma Flagg School | Newark | New Jersey | |
Catherine Plichta | Theatre Arts Production Company School | Bronx | New York | |
Felix Ponce | Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School | Chicago | Illinois | |
David Pope | Baldwin Wallace University | Berea | Ohio | |
Ær Queen | Braddock Elementary School | Annandale | Virginia | |
Brian Querry | Charles A. Huston Middle School | Lower Burrell | Pennsylvania | |
Rebecca Raber | University of Mary | Bismarck | North Dakota | |
Marc Ratner | Mineola High School | Garden City Park | New York | |
Lance Rauh | Patriot Oaks Academy | St Johns | Florida | |
Hoza Redditt | MSA East Academy | St. Gabriel | Louisiana | |
Heather Rentz | St. Mark Westpark | Cleveland | Ohio | |
Aaron Rex | Mason Middle School | Mason | Ohio | |
Angela Rex | Riverside Middle School | Greer | South Carolina | |
Chris Richard | Rogers Heritage High School | Rogers | Arkansas | |
Sarah Riechers | Thurgood Marshall Elementary School | Manassas | Virginia | |
Stephanie Robertson | Ponchatoula High School | Ponchatoula | Louisiana | |
Bethany Robinson | Noblesville High School | Noblesville | Indiana | |
Keith Robinson | Jefferson Avenue Elementary | Seguin | Texas | |
Alberto Rodriguez | Mount Vernon High School | Alexandria | Virginia | |
Chad Rose | Sheridan High School | Sheridan | Wyoming | |
Stewart Rosen | Walter Reed Middle School | North Hollywood | California | |
Shawn Royer | Marian University | Indianapolis | Indiana | |
Dayshawn Russell | North Iberville Elementary | Rosedale | Louisiana | |
Hannah Ryan | University of Virginia's College at Wise | Wise | Virginia | |
Kyle Ryan | Turkey Hill School | Orange | Connecticut | |
Ashley Sands | Kennedy Secondary School | Fergus Falls | Minnesota | |
Mark Santos | Santa Ana High School | Santa Ana | California | |
Danni Schmitt | Roland Park Elementary/Middle School | Baltimore | Maryland | |
Kevin Schoenbach | Oswego High School | Oswego | Illinois | |
Eric Schultz | Coastal Carolina University | Conway | South Carolina | |
Jessica Schwartz | Denham Springs High School | Denham Springs | Louisiana | |
Josh Settlemyre | R.J. Reynolds High School | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | |
Jason Shiuan | Saratoga High School | Saratoga | California | |
Katie Silcott | Olentangy Shanahan Middle School | Lewis Center | Ohio | |
Kerra Simmons | Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts | Fort Worth | Texas | |
Joani Slawson | Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy | Melbourne | Florida | |
Timothy Patrick Sloan Sr. | Albright Middle School | Houston | Texas | |
Jessie Smith | Yes Prep Public Schools | Houston | Texas | |
Cathryn Smith | Coleman High School | Coleman | Texas | |
Patrick Smith | Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School | New Haven | Connecticut | |
Tony Spano | Culver City High School | Culver City | California | |
Wes Sparkes | Eagleview Middle School | Colorado Springs | Colorado | |
Julian Spires | Meade Middle School | Fort Meade | Maryland | |
Shannon Stem | University Academy | Panama City | Florida | |
Harold Stephan | Stuyvesant High School | New York | New York | |
Cassandra Sulbaran | Braintree High School | Braintree | Massachusetts | |
Lynn Sweet | Mount Anthony Union High School | Bennington | Vermont | |
Agnes Tech | Indian Prairie Elementary School | Crystal Lake | Illinois | |
Chris Toomey | Mineola High School | Garden City Park | New York | |
Tom Torrento | Grosse Pointe North High School | Grosse Pointe Woods | Michigan | |
Jessica Torres | Elmont Memorial Jr. Sr. High School | Elmont | New York | |
Michelle Trinidad | Sacred Heart School | Bronx | New York | |
Alice Tsui | New Bridges Elementary | Brooklyn | New York | |
Jordan Tupper | Episcopal School of Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge | Louisiana | |
Martin Urbach | Harvest Collegiate High School | New York City | New York | |
Johny Vargas | Pueblo High School | Tucson | Arizona | |
Amy Villanova | Canyon Crest Academy | San Diego | California | |
Valerie Vinnard | Webster Elementary | Long Beach | California | |
Kenneth Walker | Ralls High School | Ralls | Texas | |
Kathy Wallace | Willard Elementary | Winchester | Indiana | |
Jennifer Walter | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro | North Carolina | |
John Ware | Stovall Middle School | Houston | Texas | |
Brandon Weeks | North Polk High School | Alleman | Iowa | |
Lisa Werner | St. Bruno Parish School | Dousman | Wisconsin | |
Scott Weyman | Solanco High School | Quarryville | Pennsylvania | |
Elizabeth White | Holcomb RIII | Holcomb | Missouri | |
Tyler Wigglesworth | West Covina High School | West Covina | California | |
Derrick Williams | Vista Heights Middle School | Moreno Valley | California | |
Paula Williams | The Ron Clark Academy | Atlanta | Georgia | |
Sandi Wilson | Franklin School of Innovation | Asheville | North Carolina | |
Matthew Wiltshire | Lewiston High School | Lewiston | Maine | |
Damion Womack | The Montgomery Academy | Montgomery | Alabama | |
Tammy Yi | Chapman University | Orange | California | |
Nicholas Young | Altus High School | Altus | Oklahoma | |
Jason Younts | Samuel V. Champion High School | Boerne | Texas | |
DeAnna Zecchin | Indian River High School | Dagsboro | Delaware |
2024 MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD LEGACY APPLICANTS
Name | School | City | State |
---|---|---|---|
Phil Aguglia | Kenmore East High School | Tonawanda | New York |
Heather Akers | Central Middle School | Dover | Delaware |
Eric Allen | Western Middle School for the Arts | Louisville | Kentucky |
Calandria Allen | Zachary Community Schools | Zachary | Louisiana |
Abigail Alwin | Clague Middle School | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Michigan |
David Amos | Heritage Middle School | Painesville | Ohio |
Luke Aumann | Appleton North High School | Appleton | Wisconsin |
Elizabeth Baker | Ilima Intermediate School | Ewa Beach | Hawaiʻi |
Andre Barnes | Science Park High School | Newark | New Jersey |
Conesha Barron | Lanier High School | Jackson | Mississippi |
Lyndra Bastian | Creekside Middle School and Woodstock High School | Woodstock | Illinois |
William Bennett | Cane Bay High School | Summerville | South Carolina |
Heather Bice | Ridgeview High School | Orange Park | Florida |
Charlie Bradberry | Iowa Park High School | Iowa Park | Texas |
Justin Britt | Kingston Public Schools | Kingston | Oklahoma |
Shantavia Burchette | East Side High School | Newark | New Jersey |
John Burn | Homestead High School | Cupertino | California |
Alexander Busby | Oviedo High School | Oviedo | Florida |
Aaron Bush | Foxborough High School | Foxborough | Massachusetts |
Meg Byrne | Pleasant Valley High School | Bettendorf | Iowa |
Philip Carter | O'Fallon Township High School | O'Fallon | Illinois |
Elizabeth Carter | Snowden School | Memphis | Tennessee |
Francis Cathlina | University of Memphis | Memphis | Tennessee |
Tiffany Chiang | Mark Twain I.S. 239 | Brooklyn | New York |
Ernesta Chicklowski | Roosevelt Elementary | Tampa | Florida |
Michael Coelho | Ipswich Middle School and Ipswich High School | Ipswich | Massachusetts |
Christine Cumberledge | Central Junior High School | Euless | Texas |
Heather Dipasquale | Todd County Middle School | Elkton | Kentucky |
Jack A. Eaddy, Jr. | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | North Carolina |
Dominique Eade | New England Conservatory of Music | Boston | Massachusetts |
Cuauhtemoc Escobedo | Eckstein Middle School | Seattle | Washington |
Jasmine Faulkner | Polaris Expeditionary Learning School | Fort Collins | Colorado |
Daniel James Felton | Tartan High School | Oakdale | Minnesota |
Nicholas Fernandez | Bentonville Schools | Bentonville | Arkansas |
Cathryn Fowler | Health Careers High School | San Antonio | Texas |
Marisa Frank | Explore! Community School | Nashville | Tennessee |
Jasmine Fripp | KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School | Nashville | Tennessee |
Jacob Garcia | Tennyson Middle School | Waco | Texas |
Jorge L. Garcia | Elias Herrera Middle School | Laredo | Texas |
Tina Gibson | Jefferson County Traditional Middle School | Louisville | Kentucky |
Alex Gittelman | Haverford Middle School | Havertown | Pennsylvania |
Guillermo Gonzalez | James A. Garfield High School | Los Angeles | California |
Mansa Gory | Denzel Washington School of the Arts | Mount Vernon | New York |
Deanna Grandstaff | Cecil Intermediate School | McDonald | Pennsylvania |
Amanda Hanzlik | E.O. Smith High School | Storrs | Connecticut |
Marvin Haywood | John Ehret High School | Marrero | Louisiana |
Kristin Howell | Syosset High School | Syosset | New York |
Emmanuel Hudson | Booker T. Washington High School | Shreveport | Louisiana |
Karla Hulne | Blair-Taylor Middle/High School | Blair | Wisconsin |
Mia Ibrahim | Health Opportunities High School | Bronx | New York |
Luis Ingels | Candor Elementary School | Candor | New York |
Justin Janer | Pinewood School Middle Campus | Los Altos | California |
Daryl Jessen | Dakota Valley School | North Sioux City | South Dakota |
De'Evin Johnson | Duncanville High School | Duncanville | Texas |
Amir Jones | Harvey High School | Painesville | Ohio |
Allison Kline | Blue Mountain Area School | Orwigsburg | Pennsylvania |
Kenneth Kosterman | Rockwall-Heath High School | Heath | Texas |
Joshua Krohn | Brent Elementary School | Washington | District of Columbia |
Sarah Labovitz | Arkansas State University | Jonesboro | Arkansas |
Heather Leppard | Girls Academic Leadership Academy (GALA) | Los Angeles | California |
Hope Lewis | Charles O. Dickerson HS | Trumansburg | New York |
Meredith Lord | Burncoat High School | Worcester | Massachusetts |
Brendon Lucas | Nyack High School | Nyack | New York |
Christian Lucas | Mariners Christian School | Costa Mesa | California |
Alison McCarrey | Romig Middle School | Anchorage | Alaska |
Angie McDaniel | Forest Creek Elementary | Round Rock | Texas |
Ashleigh McDaniel Spatz | Burgess Peterson Academy | Atlanta | Georgia |
Matthew McKagan | Lindero Canyon Middle School | Agoura Hills | California |
Brian McMath | Northwest Guilford High School | Greensboro | North Carolina |
Phillip McMullen | Silver Creek Central Schools | Silver Creek | New York |
Tracy Meldrum | Verrado High School | Buckeye | Arizona |
Xochilt Melendez Munguia | Gainesville Middle School for the Arts and Sciences | Gainesville | Virginia |
Kris Milby | Greenup County High School | Greenup | Kentucky |
Dana Monteiro | Frederick Douglass Academy | New York | New York |
Shelby Montgomery | George Jenkins High School | Lakeland | Florida |
David Moore | Inspire Charter Academy | Baton Rouge | Louisiana |
Ryan Moseley | Appoquinimink High School | Middletown | Delaware |
David Moss | West Hopkins School | Nebo | Kentucky |
Deborah Muhlenbruck-Fleischer | Gunderson Middle School | Las Vegas | Nevada |
Vicki Nichols | Grandview Elementary | Grandview | Texas |
Jeremy Overbeck | Century High School | Bismarck | North Dakota |
John Pachence | Penn State Abington | Abington | Pennsylvania |
Jennifer Page | Niles North High School | Skokie | Illinois |
Matthew Pitts | Robert JC Rice Elementary School | Gilbert | Arizona |
Courtney Powers | Muhammad Ali School 23 | Passaic | New Jersey |
Natalie Pratt | Brentwood High School | Brentwood | Tennessee |
William Rank | Oak Prairie Junior High School | Lockport | Illinois |
Brett Rankin | Wilde Lake High School | Columbia | Maryland |
Annie Ray | Annandale High School | Annandale | Virginia |
Tracy Resseguie | Staley High School | Kansas City | Missouri |
Giovanni Santos | La Sierra University | Riverside | California |
Ruth Schwartz | Chugiak High School and Mirror Lake Middle School | Chugiak | Alaska |
Laura Shapovalov | Walden III Middle and High School | Racine | Wisconsin |
James Sheffer | Medford Memorial Middle School and Haines Sixth Grade Center | Medford | New Jersey |
Matthew Shephard | Meridian Early College High School | Sanford | Michigan |
Dylan Sims | York Middle School | York | South Carolina |
Thomas Slater | Chestnut Oaks Middle School | Sumter | South Carolina |
Michele Slone | Urbana Elementary and Jr. High School | Urbana | Ohio |
Tony Small | St. Vincent Pallotti Arts Academy | Laurel | Maryland |
Andrew Smith | Charlotte Central School | Charlotte | Vermont |
Wayne Splettstoeszer | Torrington High School | Torrington | Connecticut |
Elizabeth Steege | Cass High School | Racine | Wisconsin |
Lawrence Stoffel | California State University, Northridge | Los Angeles | California |
Tyler Swick | Robert and Sandy Ellis Elementary | Henderson | Nevada |
Elizabeth Taylor | La Crosse Elementary School | La Crosse | Virginia |
Cami Tedoldi | Foxborough High School | Foxborough | Massachusetts |
Kylie Teston | Leonardtown High School | Leonardtown | Maryland |
Jonathan Todd | Palisades High School | Charlotte | North Carolina |
Matthew Trevino | Roan Forest Elementary | San Antonio | Texas |
Alexis True | Thomas Downey High School | Modesto | California |
Gregory Urban | Dunedin Highland Middle School | Dunedin | Florida |
Jon Usher | Hidden Springs Elementary | Moreno Valley | California |
Michael Vasquez | Charles L. Kuentz Jr. Elementary | Helotes | Texas |
Aaron Vogel | Mountain Ridge High School | Glendale | Arizona |
Bryen Warfield | Homestead High School | Fort Wayne | Indiana |
Sarah Wehmeier Aparicio | Waukesha South High School | Waukesha | Wisconsin |
Christopher White | Hickory Ridge High School | Harrisburg | North Carolina |
Tammy White | Kiser Middle School | Greensboro | North Carolina |
Tyron Williams | New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities IV | Far Rockaway | New York |
Krista Williams | Floretta P. Carson Visual and Performing Arts Academy | Mobile | Alabama |
Kelly Winovich | Northgate Middle/Senior High School | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
Hayley Winslow | Snow Canyon Middle School | Saint George | Utah |
Ronnie Ziccardi | Avonworth | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania |
Working For Students: How Music Industry Professionals Find Fulfillment In Education
Image courtesy of the GRAMMY Museum
news
The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Returns To Celebrate 50th Anniversary: Inaugural Gala & Concert Taking Place May 21 In Los Angeles
Following a two-year hiatus, the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame returns to celebrate its 50th anniversary with an inaugural gala and concert on Tuesday, May 21, at the NOVO Theater in Los Angeles. Ten recordings will be newly inducted into the Hall this year.
Following a two-year hiatus, the GRAMMY Museum and Recording Academy are reinstating the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame on its 50th anniversary. The momentous event will be celebrated with an inaugural gala and concert on Tuesday, May 21, at the NOVO Theater in Los Angeles; tickets and performers for the event will be announced at a later date. As part of the return, 10 recordings, including four albums and six singles, will be newly inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame later this year.
The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame was established by the Recording Academy's National Trustees in 1973 to honor recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old. Inductees are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts with final ratification by the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. There are currently 1,152 inducted recordings in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame. View the full list GRAMMY Hall Of Fame past inductees.
This year, the GRAMMY Museum’s GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Gala will be the first of what will become an annual event, and includes a red carpet and VIP reception on the newly opened Ray Charles Terrace at the GRAMMY Museum, followed by a one-of-a-kind concert at the NOVO Theater in Downtown Los Angeles.
The inaugural gala and concert is produced by longtime executive producer of the GRAMMY Awards, Ken Ehrlich, along with Chantel Sausedo and Ron Basile and will feature musical direction by globally renowned producer and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes. For sponsorship opportunities, reach out to halloffame@grammymuseum.org.
Keep watching this space for more exciting news about the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame!
(L-R) Billy Joel, Freddy Wexler
interview
Freddy Wexler On Helping Billy Joel "Turn The Lights Back On" — At The 2024 GRAMMYs And Beyond
"Part of what was so beautiful for me to see on GRAMMY night was the respect and adoration that people of all ages and from all genres have for Billy Joel," Wexler says of Joel's 2024 GRAMMYs performance of their co-written "Turn The Lights Back On."
They say to not meet your heroes. But when Freddy Wexler — a lifelong Billy Joel fan — did just that, it was as if Joel walked straight out of his record collection.
"I think the truth is none of it is that surprising," the 37-year-old songwriter and producer tells GRAMMY.com. "That's the best part. From his music, I would've thought this is a humble, brilliant everyman who probably walks around with a very grounded perspective, and that's exactly who he is."
That groundedness made possible "Turn the Lights Back On" — the hit comeback single they co-wrote, and Wexler co-produced; Joel performed a resplendent version at the 2024 GRAMMYs with Laufey. Joel hadn't released a pop album since 1993's River of Dreams; for him to return to the throne would take an awfully demonstrative song, true to his life.
"I think it's a very raw, honest, real perspective that is true to Billy," Wexler explains. "I think it's the first time we've heard him acknowledge mistakes and regret in quite this way."
Specifically, Joel's return highlights his regret over spending three decades mostly on the bench, largely absent from the pop scene. As Joel wonders aloud in the stirring, arpeggiated chorus, "Is there still time for forgiveness?"
"Forgiveness" is a curious word. Why would the five-time GRAMMY winner and 23-time nominee possibly need to seek forgiveness? Regardless — as the song goes — he's "tryin' to find the magic/ That we lost somehow." The song's message — an attempt to recapture a lost essence — transcends Joel's personal headspace, connecting with a universal longing and nostalgia.
Read on for an interview with Wexler about the impact of "Turn the Lights Back On," why he thinks Joel took such an extended sabbatical, the prospect of more new music, and much more.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
**You did a great interview with Rolling Stone ahead of the 2024 GRAMMYs. Now, we're on the other side of it; you got to see how it went down on the telecast, and resonated with the audience and world. What was that like?**
It's why I make music — to hopefully make people feel something. This song has really resonated in such a big way. More than looking at its commercial success on the charts or on radio, which has been awesome to see, the comments on Instagram and YouTube have been the most rewarding part of it.
Why do you think it resonated? Beyond the king picking up his crown again?
I don't think the song is trying to be anything it's not. I think it's a very raw, honest, real perspective that is true to Billy. I think it's the first time we've heard him acknowledge mistakes and regret in quite this way. And to hear him do it in a hopeful way where he's asking, "Is it too late for forgiveness?" is just very moving, I think.
Forgiveness? That's interesting. What would any of us need to forgive him?
He has said in other interviews, "Sometimes people say they have no regrets at the end of their life." And he said, "I don't think that's possible. If you've lived a full life, of course you have regrets." He has said that he has many things he wishes he would've done differently. This is an opportunity to express that.
I think what's interesting about the song is it has found meaning in various ways with various people and listeners. Some people imagine Billy is singing to former lovers or friends. Other people imagine Billy is singing to his fans asking, "Did I wait too long to record again?" Other people wonder if Billy is singing to the songwriting Gods and muses. Did I wait too long to write again?
In Israel, where the song was number one — or is number one, I haven't checked today — I think the song's taken on the meaning of just wanting things to be normal, wanting hostages to come home and turn the lights back on. So, you never know where a song is going to resonate, but I think that Billy just found his own meaning with it.
You know the discography front to back. What lines can you draw from "Turn the Lights Back On" to past works?
I think it draws on various pieces of his catalog, right? "She's Always a Woman" has a sort of piano arpeggio in the chorus. To me, it feels like a natural progression. It feels like, on the one hand, it's a new song. On the other, it could have come out right after River of Dreams. To me, it just kind of feels natural.
**Back when you spoke with Rolling Stone, you said you couldn't wait to hear "Turn the Lights Back On" at Madison Square Garden. How'd it sound?**
Amazing. Billy is a consummate live performer. I think he's one of the few artists where everything is better live, and everything is always a little bit different each time it's played live.
It's been really cool to watch Billy and the band continue to change and improve the song and the song's dynamics for the show. He told me tonight that tomorrow night in Tampa, I think they're going to try to play with the key of the song, potentially — try it a half a step higher.
Those are the sort of things I think great artists do, right? It's different from being on a certain type of tour where every single song is the same, the set list is the same, the key is the same, the arrangements are the same.
With Billy, there's a lot of feeling and, "Hey, why don't we try it this way? Let's play it a little faster. Let's play it a little slower. Let's try it in a different key." I just think that's super cool. You have to be a really good musician to just do that on the fly.
What have you learned from him that applies to your music making, writ large?
I've learned so much from him. As Olivia Rodrigo said to us at GRAMMY rehearsals, "He's the blueprint when it comes to songwriting."
He has helped raise the bar for me when it comes to melodies and lyrics, but the thing I keep coming back to is he's reminded me that even the greatest artists and songwriters ever sometimes forget how great they are. I think we need to be careful not to give that inner voice and inner critic too much power.
Can you talk about how the music video came to be?
Well, I had a dream that Billy was singing the opening two lines of the song, but it was a 25-year-old version of Billy. It was arresting.
When I woke up, I sort of had the vision for the video, which was one set, an empty venue of some kind, and four Billy Joels. The Billy Joel that really exists today, but then three Billys from three iconic eras where each Billy would seamlessly pick up the song where the other left off.
The idea behind that was to sort of accentuate the question of the song — did I wait too long to turn the lights back on?
And so, to kind of take us through time and through all these years, I teamed up with an amazing co-director, Warren Fu, who's done everything from Dua Lipa to Daft Punk, and an artificial intelligence company called Deep Voodoo to make that vision possible.
What I'm driven by is the opportunity to create conversations, cultural moments, things that make people feel something. What was cool here is as scary as AI is — and I think it is scary in many ways — we were able to give an example of how you can use it in a positive way to execute a creative artistic vision that previously would've been impossible to execute.
Yeah, so I'm pleased with it and I'm thankful that Billy did a video. He didn't have to do one, but he liked the idea of it. He felt it was different, and I think he was moved by it as well.
What do you think is the next step here?
It's been a really rewarding process. And Billy is open-minded, which is really cool for an artist of that level, who's not a new artist by any stretch. To actually be described as being in a place in his life where he's open-minded, means anything is possible. I could tell you that I would love there to be more music.
I'd love to get your honest appraisal. And I know you're not him. But his last pop album was released 31 years ago. In that long interim, what do you think was going on with him, creatively?
Look, I'm not Billy Joel, but I think there were a number of factors going on with him. Somewhere along the way, I think he stopped having fun with music, which is the reason he got into it, or which is a big part of the reason he got into it. When it stopped being fun, I don't think he really wanted to do it anymore.
Another piece to it is that Billy is a perfectionist, and that perfectionism is evident in the caliber of his songwriting. Having always written 100 percent of his songs, Billy at some point probably found that process to be painstaking, to try to hit that bar where he's probably wondering in his head, What would Beethoven think of this? What would Leonard Bernstein think of this?
I think part of what was different here was that, perhaps, there was something liberating about "Turn the Lights Back On" being a seed that was brought to Billy. In this way, he could be a little disconnected from it, where maybe he didn't have to have the self-imposed pressure that he would if it was an idea that he'd been trying to finish for a while.
Ironically, he still made it. Well, there's no "ironically," but I think that's it. There's something to that.
Billy Joel's Biggest Songs: 15 Tracks That Best Showcase The Piano Man's Storytelling And Pop Hooks
Photo: Andrew Sankovich
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GRAMMY U Reps Experience GRAMMY Week Like Never Before Thanks To The Recording Academy & United Airlines
United Airlines flew the GRAMMY U Representatives out to L.A. for an unforgettable 2024 GRAMMY Week. The trip provided significant professional development in music, and the Reps savored every moment. Take a look at the GRAMMY U Reps’ inspirational week.
Thanks to United Airlines' partnership with the Recording Academy, the students traveled from all over the country to Los Angeles and met in person for the first time. In past years, GRAMMY U Reps have only been able to attend a few select events in addition to the GRAMMY Awards on Sunday. But because of United Airlines, these National and Chapter Reps were able to experience the music industry’s most exhilarating week.
Come with the GRAMMY U Reps as they experience Music’s Biggest Night, behind-the-scenes tours, and events highlighting various initiatives within the music industry during GRAMMY Week 2024. Learn how to apply to GRAMMY U here.
Tuesday: Travel Day
The GRAMMY U group chat was exploding with excited messages as we arrived at the airport early Tuesday morning. Each Rep was about to meet their co-workers — many of whom had only connected virtually — and gain the experience of a lifetime.
United flew all 14 Reps to Los Angeles with exceptional timing, service, and care — even though we were traveling to work at GRAMMY Week, it felt like we were getting celebrity treatment. Once we touched down in L.A., we ran to the United baggage claim to hug our friends and capture the experience to share with fellow GRAMMY U members.
Philly Rep Tamara Tondreau and Nashville Rep Della Anderson┃GRAMMY U
After grabbing lunch near our hotel in downtown L.A., we made it to the Recording Academy Los Angeles Chapter Office in Santa Monica for our first in-person team meeting. Sporting new custom GRAMMY U jackets, T-shirts, and hats, we prepared for our signature GRAMMY Week event, a Masterclass with actress/GRAMMY-nominated R&B artist Halle Bailey.
Reps were briefed on plans for the week, then took an office tour where we spotted multiple golden gramophones. Since we work remotely year-round, this was our first time getting to see where all the magic happens.
Wednesday: Behind-The-Scenes & Behind The Music
On Wednesday, we were up bright and early to explore the Crypto.com Arena and learn about the behind-the-scenes preparation it takes to host the GRAMMY Awards each year.
Jody Kolozsvari, Associate Producer of the GRAMMYs and a GRAMMY U alum, guided us around the arena. He also introduced us to the incredible audio, mixing, communications, and production teams as well as Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.
"Walking intoCrypto.com Arena and seeing the GRAMMY stage being built was a very surreal moment," said Sara Hudson, GRAMMY U's New York Chapter Rep. "Meeting so many of the people behind the show and witnessing the hard work that is put into producing the GRAMMY Awards made my passion for working in live music grow even more."
Later that night, Philadelphia Chapter Rep Tamara Tondreau and Los Angeles Chapter Rep Jade Bacon worked as GRAMMY U press at the A Celebration of Craft event, a collaboration between the Recording Academy Producers and Engineers Wing and Songwriters and Composers Wing. This was the very first time GRAMMY U Reps were invited to this exclusive event; Tamara, a songwriter herself, called this event "unforgettable."
"Since songwriting sparked my interest in the music industry, it was inspiring to be in the room with so many talented creatives," Tamara says. "Networking with professionals who hold multiple roles in the industry encouraged me and reaffirmed my goal of maintaining both business and creative aspects in my career."
Thursday: Fostering Community & Culture
Hosted at GRAMMY House, Thursday morning started with a beautiful luncheon at the inaugural A Celebration of Women in the Mix. This event made space for women in the music industry to gather and support one another, recognizing all of the strides made in a male-dominated field.
Twelve of the 14 Reps identify as women, and this was a special moment to meet some of the industry leaders that we look up to as role models. Networking with female artists, managers, and producers who are laying the groundwork for our generation was a powerful moment we will never forget.
After delivering the keynote speech, Ty Stiklorius, the founder of management company Friends at Work, spoke with some of the GRAMMY U Reps.
"Having a conversation with such an established female in the music industry was incredibly inspiring," says Memphis Rep. Shannon Conte. "After this moment of mentorship and encouragement, I left the event feeling much more confident in my ability to one day succeed in becoming an artist manager."
Dressing up in our finest suits and gowns, we hit the town to attend the exclusive Black Music Collective’s 2024 Recording Academy Honors event, where legends Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz accepted Global Impact Awards. Sitting in the same room as these superstars was awe-inspiring, and it was an honor to see how the Black community was celebrated during GRAMMY Week.
GRAMMY U Reps Shaneel Young, Jade Bacon, and Chloe Sarmiento hosted interviews for our social media, highlighting the fashion of dozens of high-profile attendees including Adam Blackstone, Jordin Sparks, Flavor Flav, and Erica Campbell as they walked the signature black carpet. The excitement of the press line on the black carpet provided Reps with first-hand experience of what a career in press and publicity could look like.
GRAMMY U DC Rep Shaneel Young aspires to work in music marketing. "Interviewing some of the most influential people in the industry about my passions: music, fashion, and culture, will be a moment I remember for the rest of my career," she reflects.
Reps at Black Music Collective’s Recording Academy Honors┃GRAMMY U
These two spectacular events immersed us in the initiatives the Recording Academy has implemented to celebrate diversity and representation in music, and we are so honored to be a part of the company’s continued mission.
Friday: Work Hard, Play Hard
After months spent planning our signature GRAMMY Week event, the GRAMMY U Masterclass with Halle Bailey, presented by Mastercard, we finally saw the fruits of our labor come to life. This year, we welcomed over 500 attendees in person, with members from every Chapter flying in to experience the event together at GRAMMY House.
GRAMMY U PNW Rep Chloe Sarmiento worked as talent lead and interacted directly with Halle Bailey and her team. "It was incredibly fulfilling to see the event come together on-site in Los Angeles after weeks of working on it from home," Chloe says. "Halle and her team were so great to work with, and I couldn’t have asked for a better speaker for the Masterclass!"
Working with experienced Recording Academy staff onsite further enlightened us about all things event production. From talent handling and partnerships to working radios and managing the stage, we were excited to execute a large-scale event with all of the Reps at GRAMMY House.
After a successful Masterclass, the Reps split up for the evening to conquer even more GRAMMY Week events. Half the group went to the #GRAMMYsNextGen party to spread the word about membership, host a photobooth, and interact with influencers and emerging performers. We met hip-hop duo Flyana Boss, and some of our other celebrity sightings included Laura Marano and Milo Manheim. It was inspiring to see other young professionals who have established themselves in the entertainment industry so early in their careers.
Mastercard surprised us with an entire seated table at the exclusive MusiCares Person Of The Year Gala honoring Jon Bon Jovi. It was an outstanding evening honoring the rock icon and the many ways he has given back to the music community. Following a live auction, Brandy Clark, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Shania Twain, and others performed some of Bon Jovi’s biggest hits — Bon Jovi even graced the stage with Bruce Springsteen for a special rendition of "Who Says You Can’t Go Home."
The Reps were incredibly grateful to United and Mastercard for granting us the opportunity to witness these exclusive live performances. To see the music community come together to honor a legend while giving back and furthering the mission of MusiCares is a heartwarming aspect of the music industry we don’t get to witness every day.
Reps with Sabrina Carpenter at the Person of the Year Gala┃GRAMMY U
GRAMMY U Chicago Rep Rachel Owen was one of the lucky attendees able to watch the thrilling performances while mingling in the crowd with other musicians like Sabrina Carpenter and David Archuleta.
"To even be in the same room as Shania Twain is an honor, she’s timeless and more exquisite than I could've even imagined," Owen says. "To see her perform live to Jon Bon Jovi is the type of moment you just never take for granted."
Saturday: Divide & Conquer
Saturday was jam-packed with events. Back again at GRAMMY House, a group of Reps attended the Best New Artist Spotlight, where nominees discussed their breakthrough years and what it means to be considered a "new artist." From upstarts Ice Spice and Gracie Abrams to the long musical journey of Victoria Monét, The War and Treaty, and Jelly Roll, these diverse perspectives all stressed that each person has a unique career timeline and reminded us as students to practice perseverance and patience as we navigate this industry.
Various Reps continued at GRAMMY House, some working as press at the #GRAMMYsNextGen Ambassador Power Brunch and the first-ever Academy Proud event, celebrating LGBTQIA+ voices.
A handful of us worked as GRAMMY U press at the Special Merit Awards ceremony and subsequent celebration. Being a part of these exclusive events and witnessing historic moments like the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards was truly impactful. We interviewed nominees at the celebration, including boygenius engineer Owen Lantz (the supergroup would win their first three GRAMMYs the very next day.)
Hundreds of nominees attended the Special Merit Awards and Celebration, proudly displaying their blue medallions and glowing as they took their official GRAMMY nominee photos; the hopeful and energetic spirit of the event fueled our drive to succeed in this industry even more.
Sunday: And The GRAMMY Goes To…
Sunday morning was the day everyone had all been waiting for: the 66th GRAMMY Awards! After getting our glam on, the GRAMMY U Reps got to walk the red carpet for the first time ever. We took tons of photos and videos to commemorate this special moment and share our experience with friends and family.
While most of the Reps were posing on the carpet, Pierson, Jasmine, Rachel, and Chloe had the honor of being trophy presenters during the GRAMMY Premiere Ceremony. This was the first time GRAMMY U Reps from across the country were given the honor of being up close and personal during artists' career-defining moments.
Reps on the GRAMMYs Red Carpet┃Andrew Sankovich
Moving into Crypto.com Arena to be seated for the telecast portion of the evening, the GRAMMY U Reps were ecstatic to watch the ceremony in person. As legends like Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Tracy Chapman, and Stevie Wonder blazed on stage, all the Reps were singing and dancing along, thrilled to be a part of Music’s Biggest Night. Phenomenal performances from nominees SZA, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus, and Luke Combs were equally captivating.
Witnessing the live telecast after experiencing so much behind-the-scenes production exemplified how rewarding the music industry can be, and how prestigious winning a GRAMMY truly is. The quiet suspense before a winner was announced and the roars that followed created a rollercoaster of emotions that took our breath away.
Immediately afterward, we were off to enjoy the official GRAMMYs After-Party — and not even the constant showers could not rain on our parade. The Reps hit the dancefloor as soon as NE-YO took the stage, and hearing "Time of Our Lives" felt especially relatable.
As we headed back home on our United flights, we reflected on an exhilarating GRAMMY Week. Not only were we able to be part of exclusive events, but we also interacted with artists, learned from experts, and grew exponentially. Experiencing these moments with the other Reps brought our team closer, while meeting members and peers showed the expansive community GRAMMY U is cultivating.
Because of United, we witnessed all the Recording Academy does for the music industry. After GRAMMY Week, we feel more inspired and empowered than ever to lead the next generation of the music industry.
With additional reporting from Pierson Livingston.
Photo: Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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South African Singer Tyla Won The Inaugural Best African Music Performance Category At The 2024 GRAMMYs. What Does It Mean For African Music On The Global Stage?
While Afrobeats and amapiano are certainly crossing over in America, Tyla’s win reflects how Western influence is often necessary for African music to transcend the continent. Is "Water" what African music needs to blossom?
As the first recipient of the inaugural Best African Music Performance GRAMMY Award, South African songstress Tyla has officially etched her name into history. At the 2024 GRAMMYs, the 22-year-old's amapiano-infused Afro pop hit "Water" beat out several long-established names in African music.
While Tyla's success on Music's Biggest Night stresses the Recording Academy's continued efforts to showcase diverse African music, her victory is more of a one-armed hug rather than a full, legs-off-the-ground embrace of African music.
This is chiefly because "Water" was successful and marketable for its use of Western pop influences. While Afrobeats and amapiano are certainly crossing over in America, bestowing a golden gramophone upon an artist whose work reflects familiar sounds is a curious step forward for African music. Still, Tyla's win may foster a greater embrace of the African sound, and the virality and pervasiveness of "Water" propelled the Johannesburg-born singer/songwriter to unheard of heights.
"Water" hit No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs and Hip-Hop/R&B charts, and became the first African song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 since 1968. The track peaked at No. 7, making Tyla the highest-charting African female solo musician in Billboard history. The "Water" dance challenge on TikTok further pushed the track into the global sphere, and the song has been featured in over 1.5 million videos.
The widespread appeal of "Water" is a culmination of elements, notably a fusion of Western pop with subtler amapiano influences. The song melds sleek American R&B and pop compositions with the log drums and piano trails synonymous with the South African amapiano genre.
Read more: 10 African GRAMMY Winners Through The Years: From Miriam Makeba To Angélique Kidjo & Burna Boy
Indeed, most musical genres (regardless of continent of origin) draw inspiration from and contribute back to each other. The resulting music transcends regional boundaries and appeals globally — and Tyla's "Water" is proof of this resonance. Yet it also reflects how a major Western influence is often necessary for African music to transcend the continent.
The Recording Academy's new Category was designed to highlight "strong elements of African cultural significance," said Shawn Thwaites, Recording Academy Awards Project Manager and author of the Category. In describing eligibility for the Best African Music Performance Category, Thwaites noted that songs must feature "a stylistic intention, song structure, lyrical content and/or musical representation found in Africa and the African diaspora."
Still, when it comes to recognizing lesser known genres — from South Africa's gqom to Tanzania’s singeli and Ghana’s asakaa — the global audience still has a long way to go.
"We need to go deeper and in more detail within different genres of music. We know there are multiple different types of music — hundreds of genres, in fact — coming from Africa and from all 54 countries on the continent," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. told GRAMMY.com after his three trips to the vibrant continent. "I'd love to see us be able to honor even more music from Africa and other areas of the world."
Thwaites hopes that celebrating the diversity of African music will also lead to greater cultural exchange. Eventually, this could lead to "more collaborations between artists of different genres and more artist relations between labels and executives in America," he said.
But for this progression to happen correctly, there has to be a cultural education about the music within the continent and it's something Ghazi Shami, CEO/Founder of Empire Records, Distribution and Publishing — who consulted with the Recording Academy on the new Category — is looking forward to watching develop.
"I think we'll see expanded categories in African music in the years to come, but this is a great start toward recognizing the merits and impact of African music," he told GRAMMY.com prior to the ceremony.
Tyla's GRAMMY win is an exceptional achievement — particularly so for a young African woman. Popular African music has often been skewed towards male artists. At the 2023 GRAMMYs, Tems became the only female solo artist currently living in Nigeria to win a GRAMMY. (Sade, who was born in Nigeria, has won four GRAMMYs but lives in the U.K.)
A similar trend is observed in South Africa, where Miriam Makeba was both Africa's first GRAMMY winner and the country's solo female vocalist to win prior to Tyla.
Tyla's win is a beacon to other young female performers in Africa — including fellow Category nominee Ayra Starr and singer/songwriter and producer Bloody Civilian — proving that female artists can and will be recognized, regardless of their country of origin. It also demonstrates how the distance between African artists and international prestige has been shortened, thus furthering the likelihood of artistic innovation.
Her win is also notable in a Category stacked with Nigerian artists. Of the five nominated works, "Water" is the only one not created by an artist of Nigerian descent or currently living in Nigeria. (Though South African producer Musa Keys is featured on Davido's nominated "UNAVAILABLE.") Although South Africa has a lengthy history at the GRAMMY Awards, Tyla is proof the world is listening to what her country has to offer.
While her fellow nominees — Starr, Burna Boy, Davido, ASAKE & Olamide — and artists such as Wizkid have also shouldered the responsibility for the globalization of popular African music, there is still a long road ahead.
Tyla’s win holds significant promise for African music as pop music. While "Water" certainly has noticeable South African elements, its Western appeal may partially lay in its use of familiar sounds. For Africa to truly win, the world has to embrace African music for what it is, and not for what it's trying to be.
Big First Wins At The 2024 GRAMMYs: Karol G, Lainey Wilson, Victoria Monét & More