Music Director Named Grammy Educator Award Quarterfinalist

The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum has announced that Dr. Anne Tortora, Music Director at Saint Bernard School, has been named a 2026 GRAMMY Music Educator Award quarterfinalist.

She is one of 200 quarterfinalists selected from more than 2,000 nominees across the country. This annual award honors impactful music educators in the U.S.

"It is an honor to be nominated" might sound cliché, but in my heart I know it is because of the musicians I work with every day,” says Tortora. “Without them, my room would be filled with empty chairs, pieces of wood, brass, and some paper. It is an honor to create music with my Saints and to witness their ‘a-ha!’ moments.”

Currently in her 34th year as a music educator, Tortora’s students have included Developmental Kindergarten through doctoral studies. She has served as the director of music at SBS for 11 years over the course of three separate stints. She earned her undergraduate degrees from UConn Storrs, and the Master of Music Education with a conducting focus from The Hartt School - University of Hartford. She went on to earn the Doctor of Education from Creighton University.

The semi-finalists for the award will be announced in September. The final recipient of the 2026 Music Educator Award will be honored during GRAMMY Week 2026, days ahead of the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

A joint partnership and presentation from the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum, the Music Educator Award recognizes current educators — kindergarten through college and 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.

Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and celebrated for their remarkable impact on students' lives. The ultimate recipient of the award, who will be recognized next year as the 12th annual honoree, will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 2026 GRAMMYs and a range of GRAMMY Week 2026 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.

https://www.grammy.com/news/music-educator-award-2026-quarterfinalists