Education & Community

Salem Music Educator of the Year

In partnership with the Salem-Keizer School District, the Oregon Symphony in Salem has been recognizing outstanding music educators since 1990. The process begins with the nomination of candidates from an area of public classroom music education in the Salem-Keizer School District, including orchestra, band, choir, and general music. Committee members from the Salem Advisory Committee observe the teachers in their classroom setting and select the winner and runners-up.

The 2025/2026 Salem Music Educator of the Year is Aubrey Dunham from South Salem High School. The Music Educator of the Year is presented with an award accompanied by a monetary prize to be used in support of the recipient’s school music program.

The three runners-up, Scott Avzaradel from McKay High School, Elizabeth Hering from McNary High School, and Mac Mayer from Whiteaker Middle School will receive a smaller monetary prize to support their school programs.

The Music Educator of the Year Award is dedicated to Karl Raschkes for his outstanding work in the district's music programs for twenty-eight years, from 1983-2011. Each year's nominees and winners demonstrate the highest level of commitment to music education, just like Karl.

Pictured above: 2024/25 winner Allie VanderMolen, music teacher at Grant Community School.

Past Music Educator of the Year Award Winners

2024/25: Allie VanderMolen, general music, Grant Community School

2023/24: Cole Haole-Valenzuela, choir director, West Salem High School

2022/23: Bethea Gliebe, general music, Sumpter Elementary School

2021/22: Jaimie Hall, band director, Straub Middle School

2019/20: Ariana Recher, general music, Wright Elementary

2018/19: Jim Charnholm, orchestra, McKay High School; Kimberly McConnell, choir, West Salem High School

2017/18: Karly Schindler, general music, Chávez Elementary School

2016/17: George Thomson, orchestra director, West Salem High School

2015/16: Anisa Rodriguez Foroughi, general music, Four Corners Elementary

2014/15: Rebecca Couch, choir director, Walker Middle School

2013/14: Steve Phillips, general music, Auburn Elementary School

2012/13: Todd Zimbelman, band director, West Salem High School

2011/12: Tiffany Gaither, general music, Schirle Elementary

2010/11: Carol Stenson, choir director, South Salem High School

2009/10: Jim Taylor, choir director, McNary High School

2008/09: Ike Nail, band director, West Salem High School

2007/08: Bonnie Gallagher, orchestra director, Whiteaker Middle School

2006/07: Holly Albertson, general music, Gubser Elementary; and Rosalie Karalekas, general music, Rosedale and Liberty Elementary Schools

2005/06: Stephen A. Nelson, orchestra director, Sprague High School

2004/05: Paul J. Mayhew, choir director, McNary High School

2003/04: Janet Romine, general music, Faye Wright Elementary; and Russ Christensen, choir director, Sprague High School

2002/03: Mary Lou Boderman, band director, South Salem High School

2000/01: Richard Dalzell, choir director, North Salem High School