Lexington Quarterfinalists of 2025 Grammy Music Educator Awards Announced
The 2025 Grammy Music Educator Awards has announced three Lexington Public Schools (LPS) music educators competing for the prize. Billings-White and Jayson both conduct string orchestras, while Labrie manages a choir and teaches music theory and piano. All of these music educators have a considerable amount of experience playing instruments and teaching. The semifinalists and the winner of this contest will be announced later in the year.
For the music educators, being a quarterfinalist comes with a very high honor. Billings-White told LexObserver: “To be included alongside outstanding educators like Mx. Jayson and Ms. Labrie is truly humbling, as I hold both of them in the highest regard.” “I’ve always admired their work and never imagined myself being recognized on the same level.”
At the start of the contest, “over 2,000 teachers were nominated for the award,” the GRAMMY website said. Teachers have to submit a portfolio which “includes videos of teaching class, videos answering questions from the panel, and videos where we share a teaching tip or trick that could be useful to other music educators,” Sarah Labrie said.
Labrie also said that she keeps learning every year, if not every day and that she is “very fortunate” to teach different musical disciplines, including vocal, instrumental, and just music in general. There is a steep learning curve during an educator’s first years.” Labrie also said that being in the quarterfinals may have helped her gain more confidence in her teaching.
https://www.grammy.com/