The Rockford Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that Amy Jensen of Hononegah High School is the 2020 Outstanding Music Educator of the Year.
Amy Jensen has been teaching in the Rockford Area since 1990 as a choir director, music theory teacher, musical theater director, and piano teacher in both the public schools and as a private teacher. As a music educator, she started with middle school choirs before beginning to teach at Hononegah Community High School and has built her program into three concert choirs, two vocal jazz ensembles, one Holiday Singers and an incredible musical theater program. Along with the vocal ensembles, she also teaches piano keyboarding classes at the school. Mrs. Jensen completed her bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Illinois State University and then her Master of Music at Northern Illinois University.
Amy describes the best part of being a music educator, “Making connections. Music is the inspiring all-encompassing force in the classroom that builds relationships, creates meaningful experiences, opens the human soul to expression and emotions and most of all has the ability to join us together.”
In 2016 the Rockford Symphony Orchestra created the Outstanding Music Educator Award to recognize an outstanding music educator in our community. Due to the Coronavirus distancing requirements, the RSO Music Education awards banquet was canceled. Amy was notified and received recognition virtually.
This award is generously sponsored by SAVANT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT and includes for the winner:
- A recognition plaque
- $250 to spend on classroom supplies
- $250 to use for personal professional development
- Two subscriptions to the RSO’s Classics Series concerts
The Rockford Symphony Orchestra recognizes that they exist in large part because a music educator somewhere touched the lives of each of our players and audience members, instilling in them a love of music that makes our organization what it is today.
For more information call 815-965-0049 or visit https://www.rockfordsymphony.com/music-educator-award/