LHS Orchestra Director Named Grammy Educator Award Semifinalist

Lakewood High School Orchestra Director Elizabeth Hankins is one of only 25 teachers from a field of 3,300 from across the country to be named a semifinalist for the 2017 Music Educator Award presented by The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation. This is the second straight year Hankins has been considered for the award. In 2016, she advanced to the quarterfinalist round.

The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college) 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.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Hankins said. “It is nice to be recognized for my music teaching and receive affirmation from such a prestigious institution as the Grammy Foundation for my creative approach to secondary music instruction. It is wonderful to work and reside in a community that supports and encourages innovation. 

Hankins has been with Lakewood City Schools for 27 years and leads a program that boasts of six orchestras plus a string quartet. She is the founder of the country’s first high school electric rock orchestra, The Lakewood Project. She has twice been honored with a Distinguished Music Educator Award from the Yale University School of Music (2013 & 2015), and was named Ohio String Teacher of the Year in 2002-2003, among other top honors she has received for her commitment to music education and her students. 

“We are proud to have such a dedicated and passionate champion for music education on our staff,” said Superintendent Jeff Patterson. “Beth certainly embodies the qualities the Grammy Foundation seeks for its award as she has left a lasting imprint both on the Lakewood City Schools and beyond or District as well.” 

Ten finalists will be chosen in December. The winner of the Music Educator Award will be recognized during Grammy Week 2017. The winner will be flown to California to accept the award, attend the Grammy Awards ceremony, and receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine other finalists will each receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants. The remaining 15 semifinalists will each receive $500.