For the Reporter

Auburn Riverside’s Meghan Wagner is one of three educators from the state to be named a quarterfinalist for the national Music Educator Award.

Jolene Dalton of Port Angeles High School and Cuauhtemoc Escobedo of Seattle’s Eckstein Middle School are the other quarterfinalist representing Washington.

A total of 217 music teachers from 195 cities throughout 45 states have been announced as quarterfinalists for the award presented by The Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Foundation®.

More than 30,000 initial nominations were submitted from 50 states.

The Music Educator Award was established to recognize educators – kindergarten to 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.

One recipient will be selected from 10 finalists each year, and will be recognized for his/her remarkable impact on students’ lives.

The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to accept the award, attend the GRAMMY Awards ceremony next year, and receive a $10,000 honorarium. The nine finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists also will receive matching grants.

The honorariums and grants provided to the finalists and schools are made possible by the generosity and support of the GRAMMY Foundation’s Education Champions Converse, Ford Motor Company Fund, General Mills Box Tops For Education, and Journeys.

The semifinalists will be announced in August.

For more information, visit www.grammymusicteacher.com.