We’re searching for a music educator who ignites a love of music in their students to receive our second annual ✨Spark Award✨ presented by MakeMusic and Alfred Music.
NOMINATION QUALIFICATIONS
35 MakeMusic Cloud Student Subscriptions (1 year)
Any music teacher actively teaching (public, private, or charter schools, or private lessons) with at least 2 years of teaching experience. Evidence of contribution to student growth, music education, innovation, and/or community involvement.
PRIZES
The teacher you nominate could win:
$200 credit to use at Alfred.com
1 MakeMusic Cloud Teacher Subscription (1 year)
TIMELINE
Nominations open
April 20, 2026 – May 8, 2026
Finalists chosen by MakeMusic panel and announced
May 14, 2026
May 15, 2026 – May 22, 2026
Final voting opens (come back here to vote!)
We’ll celebrate the final winner
May 27, 2026
LAST YEAR'S WINNER
Our 2025 Winner, Amanda Cornet stands out as a true champion of music education. She’s not just an orchestra teacher; she’s a passionate mentor who consistently goes the extra mile to share the pure joy of music with her students. Amanda’s dedication shines through in everything she does, from her Strolling Strings class to her exciting plans for a new sound garden. She’s all about helping kids discover their musical spark and share it with the world, creating a lasting love for music that reaches far beyond the classroom. You can read more of her inspiring story here and listen to her feature on the Take Notes with Balmages and Bernotas Podcast here.
OFFICIAL RULES
View a copy of the offical rules here.
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