A Bemidji State University music major is one of two students nationwide to be honored with a 2016 Collegiate Professional Achievement Award from the National Association for Music Education.
Lynnea Iverson, a music education major from Staples, Minn., will receive the award in November at the association’s fourth annual National In-Service Music Education Confernece in Grapevine, Texas. She currently serves as president of Bemidji State’s National Association for Music Education Collegiate Chapter.
The association’s Collegiate Professional Achievement Awards recognizes members for their commitment and dedication to the association and to music education. It is awarded to collegiate members of the association who have served their campus chapters in an exemplary manner.
“My reaction to getting this award was literally ‘no way’,” she said. “When it comes down to it, I think that dedication to the success of the group and to the people involved is what makes our NAfME group successful. Together we are having a positive impact on our BSU students as well as the community, and that is really exciting. It makes it even more exciting to apply what we learn at BSU to our future careers as music educators.”
Iverson was nominated for the award by Jeff Sands, adjunct music faculty at BSU and the club’s advisor.
“She has demonstrated exemplary organizational skills and high levels of responsibility in her duties as president,” Sands said. “She has also gone the extra mile bringing in guests, such as the 2015-16 Minnesota Music Educator of the Year, to speak at our meetings.”
Sands also noted that Iverson demonstrates exemplary organization skills and high levels of responsibility not only in her role as the club’s president, but also as an involved student at BSU.
In addition to her duties as the president of the NAfME, Iverson holds leadership positions in both the band and choir at BSU, managing the music instrument inventory and working in the music department office. She also recently organized and facilitated travel for over 20 students to attend the state music convention. Additionally, Iverson has volunteered the past two summers working at the Bemidji MusiCamp and is planning on doing so again this summer.
Sands said his biggest factor behind his recommendation was Iverson’s hard work.
“She is definitely one of those go-getter type people who wants to help and do everything they can.”
About the National Association for Music Education
National Association for Music Education, one the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association addressing all aspects of music education. The association advocates at the local, state and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents and administrators; hosts professional development events and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers.
Since 1907, the association has worked to ensure that every student has access to well-balanced, comprehensive and high-quality music instruction taught by qualified teachers. Its activities and resources have helped establish of music education as a profession, has helped promoted and guide music study as an integral part of the school curriculum and helped develop the National Standards for Arts Education.
Contact
- Jeff Sand, adjunct music instructor, NAfME club advisor; jsand@bemidjistate.edu
Links
Bemidji State University, located in northern Minnesota’s lake district, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling nearly 5,000 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and 11 graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. University signature themes include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and global and multi-cultural understanding.
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