CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence

CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence is a $5,000 stipend program funded by the Country Music Association Foundation. It is awarded annually to 30 public school music teachers across the United States who demonstrate exceptional dedication to music education.

How CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence Works

The CMA Foundation was established in 2011 as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association. It is headquartered in Nashville. The Music Teachers of Excellence program launched in 2016.

Each year, 30 music teachers are selected as honorees. The selection process evaluates their commitment to bringing high-quality music programming to students and their impact on school communities. Teachers are nominated and then apply through the CMA Foundation website.

Each recipient receives a $5,000 stipend. The award is split equally: $2,500 goes to the teacher's classroom music program and $2,500 goes to the teacher for personal use. Honorees are invited to Nashville for a formal award ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The 2026 class represents 12 states. Honorees work across every area of music education including choir, band, orchestra, percussion, piano, and fine arts. They are selected through a rigorous application and review process.

Since its launch in 2016, the program has recognized more than 200 educators. The CMA Foundation has invested over $1.4 million in music programs through this initiative. The 2025 application deadline was February 20.

The CMA Foundation also invests in other music education initiatives. These include strategic partnerships, professional development, classroom resource funding, and after-school programs. The foundation uses research-informed strategies to direct funding where it has the greatest impact.

Real-World Example

A high school band director in rural Tennessee who has built a thriving program from scratch would apply or be nominated for the award. If selected as one of 30 honorees, they receive $5,000 total. They use $2,500 to purchase new instruments or sheet music for their classroom. They use the remaining $2,500 for personal expenses. They travel to Nashville for the award ceremony, where they are recognized on a red carpet alongside fellow educators from across the country.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a music teacher in a public school, this program offers direct financial support with no strings attached. The $5,000 award is split between your classroom and your personal needs. This is one of the few programs that pays teachers directly for their work.

Apply or ask a colleague to nominate you. The application typically opens in late fall or winter with a February deadline. Document your program's growth, student achievements, and community impact. The CMA Foundation looks for teachers who exemplify excellence and make a measurable difference.

Drawbacks / Things to Consider

This program is for music teachers, not students. Only 30 teachers are selected each year from the entire United States, making it highly competitive. The award is a one-time stipend, not a recurring grant. The classroom portion ($2,500) must be used for the music program. The ceremony takes place in Nashville, and travel costs may not be fully covered. The program focuses on public school educators. Private school teachers and university faculty are not the target audience.

Eligibility Criteria

• Who can apply: Public school music teachers in the United States. Teachers can be nominated by a colleague, administrator, student, parent, or community member. Teachers can also self-apply after being nominated.
• Instruments: Open to teachers across all areas of music education including choir, band, orchestra, percussion, piano, and fine arts.
• Geography: Open to teachers across all 50 US states. The program places emphasis on teachers from Metro Nashville Public Schools, districts across Tennessee, and schools nationwide.
• Education level: Must be a current public school music educator. Private school teachers and university faculty are not the target audience.
• Membership: No membership requirement. The program is open to all qualifying public school music teachers.
• Age: No age restriction.
• Selection criteria: Applicants are evaluated on teaching excellence, creation of positive learning environments, and community impact. The application includes teaching videos, professional references, and community service documentation.

Deadlines and Application Timeline

• Application opens: Typically opens in late fall or winter. The 2026 application opened in early 2026.
• Deadline: The 2025 application deadline was February 20. The 2026 deadline is typically in February.
• Notification: Recipients are announced during Teacher Appreciation Week (first full week of May). The 2025 class was announced on May 6, 2025.
• Award ceremony: The 2025 ceremony took place on September 10, 2025 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. The 2026 ceremony date will be announced.

Past Recipients

2025 Music Teachers of Excellence (30 honorees, 12 states)

The full list of 30 recipients includes 15 teachers from Tennessee schools. Since launching in 2016, the program has recognized more than 200 educators and invested over $1.4 million in music programs.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Get nominated: Ask a colleague, administrator, student, parent, or community member to nominate you through the CMA Foundation website at cmafoundation.org/music-teachers-of-excellence. You can also encourage a peer to nominate you.
2. Complete the application: After being nominated, fill out the application form on the CMA Foundation website. Include your teaching background, school context, and community impact.
3. Submit teaching videos: Provide video recordings that demonstrate your teaching excellence and classroom environment.
4. Gather professional references: Collect references from colleagues, administrators, or community members who can speak to your impact as a music educator.
5. Document community service: Include information about your community involvement and how you use music to impact students beyond the classroom.
6. Submit by the deadline: The 2025 deadline was February 20. Check the CMA Foundation website for the current year's deadline.
7. Await notification: Recipients are announced during Teacher Appreciation Week in early May. If selected, you will receive a $5,000 stipend and an invitation to the award ceremony in Nashville.

Program Videos

Similar Scholarships

• ACM Scholarships - Academy of Country Music programs for music education
• NAfME Scholarships - Music education support from the National Association for Music Education
• MTNA Scholarships - Music Teachers National Association awards
• Grammy Museum Grant Program - Music research and preservation grants

Related Opportunities

• Music Scholarships Directory
• ACM Scholarships for Academy of Country Music programs
• NAfME Scholarships for music education support
• Visit CMA Foundation to apply