“This is absolutely surreal,” said Jeffrey Murdock, an associate professor of music education at the U of A and winner of the 2021 Grammy Music Educator Award. The highly sought-after award recognizes current educators who have made a significant contributions to the music education and are committed to maintaining music education in schools.

• Murdock was one of 10 award finalists that were selected from among thousands of nominations earlier this year. “There are so many deserving music educators in this country who are in the trenches doing this work. I’m honored to have been chosen from among them," Murdock said.

• The UA professor will also receive a nice $10,000 honorarium and matching grant for the university's music department. Awards and accolades aside, Murdock said that his ultimate goal as an educator is for all students to have access to high-quality music education.

• Due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Murdock did not attend this year's awards but will join next year's ceremony. Until then, he will take part in many Grammy camps and school events, along with serving as a world-wide music education ambassador for the Grammys. -University of Arkansas