The Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA) is proud to honor young members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and enthusiasm for music education in Alabama. Named in honor of Edward H. Cleino, a long-time leader in AMEA and MENC, this award recognizes innovative leaders who set high standards for our profession and provide inspiration and direction. Recipients of this award have shown remarkable professional and academic growth as music educators, a passion for teaching, and a deep love for music.
We invite you to nominate outstanding young music educators who embody these qualities. Nominations are accepted until July 15 each year. To submit a nomination, please click the button below.
At the bottom of this page, you will find a list of previous award winners. This archive celebrates the achievements and contributions of Alabama’s finest young music educators, highlighting their dedication and impact on our community.
| YEAR | RECIPIENT | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Matthew Gardner | Decatur City Schools |
| 2021 | Sadie Wall | Edgewood Elementary School |
| 2018 | Justin White | Thompson High School |
| 2017 | Will Parker | Straughan High School |
| 2016 | Taylor Cash | Albertville City Schools |
| 2015 | Gene Butler | Trinity Presbyterian School |
| 2014 | Jim Schaeffer | Hueytown High School |