Dr. Allen Kennedy, Hume-Fogg’s Director of Bands, has been named a 2026 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence — one of 30 public-school music educators from across the country honored this year. It’s his second time on the list, after 2024.
Now in its 10th year, the program recognizes teachers for their commitment to their students, their classrooms and their communities. Each honoree receives $5,000, split between their classroom and their own needs. Dr. Kennedy joins a line of Hume-Fogg music teachers the CMA Foundation has honored, including Richard Ripani in 2016, Lisa Forbis in 2016 and 2018, and Anna Maria Miller. See the full list of honorees.
What the award will fund
Dr. Kennedy plans to put the classroom share toward two things: instrumental coaching and chamber ensembles. Coaching gives students small-group and one-on-one feedback on technique and the musical details that set top performances apart. Together, he says, the two will lift both individual musicianship and the sound of the full ensemble, moving students from proficiency to excellence.
Get to know Dr. Kennedy
He teaches from the belief that every student has musical potential. His goal is a safe, enthusiastic classroom where students explore through creativity and self-expression and find their own musical identity, growing as musicians and as people. He believes every student can succeed, and sets expectations “at a level that challenges the mind and encourages the heart.”
His favorite artist is Demi Lovato, for her vocals and for being open about her struggles in her music.
A red-carpet night at The Pinnacle
Dr. Kennedy will join this year’s honorees at a celebration on Wednesday, October 7 at The Pinnacle in Nashville, with performances by Sierra Hull and Marcus King and remarks from Keith Urban and Kix Brooks.
His students take the stage at the fall Band Concert on Thursday, November 19.