$2000 WINNER

Jennifer Zucha
Music Teacher, Smith Elementary
Wylie Independent School District
Wylie, Texas

I graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Elementary Level General Education and Music Education. I’ve taught a combination of regular classrooms and general music throughout my teaching career. Three years were spent teaching, just after graduation. Then, after staying at home with my children for a number of years, I returned to teaching five years ago. My favorite three years of teaching have, without a doubt, been the most recent ones teaching Music at Smith Elementary!

It was “love at first sight” when I attended the Orff Level One workshop that was offered through Richardson ISD in the Dallas, Texas area. The methods and activities that I learned there brought a wonderful spark of life and fun to learning in our Music classes!

Our school is only in its 3rd year and we are working to expand our inventory of Orff instruments. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to purchase some new xylophones over the summer through the workshop being offered at SMU in Dallas!

$1000 WINNER

Lech Usinowicz

(a.k.a. "Mr. U") is currently in his second year of teaching general music at Bayfield Elementary School in Bayfield, Colorado. He has gained music and business experience through educational and various professional endeavors.

In June 2009, Usinowicz attended the Level 1 certification workshop at the University of Oregon taught by Jim Solomon and Peggy McDonald. Inspired by the experience, on September 10, 2009 Usinowicz started a drum class for upper elementary students appropriately called D.R.U.M. (Discipline, Respect, and Unity through Music founded by Jim Solomon).

On May 2nd, 2009 Usinowicz and his combined 3rd, 4th and 5th grade choir received a gold metal at the Elitch Gardens Music Festival in Denver, CO.

In February of 2008, Lech introduced the first ever string program to the Bayfield School District. As he continues to develop the program his goal is to start a Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Before Usinowicz began his teaching career he was the bass player and co-manager of the progressive, award winning acoustic band “The Hot Strings.” Through marketing, accounting, and personal relations responsibilities, Usinowicz assisted the group to Nashville, TN to record the album “Uncharted” with bluegrass legend Pat Flynn, formerly of the New Grass Revival.

Usinowicz and professor Kenneth A. Hunt, Ph D, published A Case History of Electrical and Musical Indstries (EMI) in Journal of Business Case Studies (Volume 5, Number 1 January/February 2009.)

Usinowicz graduated with honors in music education and music business, from Fort Lewis College (FLC) in Durango, CO where he continues to perform with the San Juan Symphony. He has taught strings privately for more than seven years.

Lech contributes his successes to his professors at FLC, to his father, George Usinowicz and his mother and stepfather, Suzanne and Mark Biery. In addition he acknowledges the overwhelming support and mentorship of his brother Stan Usinowicz and the rest of the Usinowicz family.