A total of 197 music teachers from 187 cities, across 45 states plus Washington, D.C., have been announced as quarterfinalists for the Music Educator Award, presented by The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum. Quarterfinalists were selected from more than 2,300 initial nominations submitted from all 50 states.

Read the full list of Music Educator Award quarterfinalists

The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private schools) 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.

The award is open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone can nominate a teacher — students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers may also nominate themselves, and nominated teachers are notified and invited to fill out an application.

Each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students' lives. The fifth annual honoree will be flown to New York to attend the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards and a range of GRAMMY Week events.

The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants. Fifteen semifinalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants. Semifinalists will be announced in September.

Who is your favorite music teacher? Nominate them for the 2019 Music Educator Award