Nashville band director Elmer Feliciano received the CMA Foundation's Music Teachers of Excellence Award this week in Nashville, Tennessee.
The recognition highlights the critical role of arts education in public schools and provides national visibility to educators who sustain musical programs in their communities.
The award was presented during Teacher Appreciation Week in May 2026 to honor outstanding music educators [1, 2]. Feliciano was named as one of 30 music teachers nationwide to receive the honor this year [3, 4].
The CMA Foundation selects these recipients to acknowledge the impact of dedicated instructors on students' lives, and the broader culture of music. The program recognizes a total of 30 honorees across the U.S. [3, 4].
While some reports from the region identify other local educators as recipients of the 2026 honor, the CMA Foundation's recognition of Feliciano remains a central focus of the week's celebrations in the city. The award emphasizes the commitment required to lead a school band and the influence such leadership has on youth development.
Music education often faces budgetary pressures in school districts, making national awards from organizations like the CMA Foundation a tool for advocacy. By celebrating these 30 teachers [3, 4], the foundation aims to elevate the status of music education as a core component of the academic experience.
“Elmer Feliciano was named as one of 30 music teachers nationwide to receive the honor this year.”
The CMA Foundation's decision to honor 30 teachers nationwide serves as a strategic effort to validate music education as an essential academic discipline. By timing these awards with Teacher Appreciation Week, the foundation leverages a moment of national gratitude to advocate for the continued funding and support of arts programs in the U.S. public school system.
