The Service to the Profession Award is given to individuals, community groups, clubs, schools or businesses who have contributed to the music profession in North Dakota.
2024 Recipient
Josh Gratton
Josh Gratton received the Service to the Profession Award at the 2024 NDMTA Conference in August. Josh is the owner of Popplers Music Store in Grand Forks and has supported the NDMTA in many ways including advertising on the NDMTA website, providing space and pianos at no cost for the NDMTA Conference, and sponsoring the Popplers Music Competitions in partnership with the NDMTA. The NDMTA sincerely appreciates all the support that we have received from Josh Gratton. Presenting the award to Josh is Amy Mercer, Service to the Profession Chair.
Service to the Profession
Membership in the NDMTA is not required to receive this award. The recipient of the Service to the Profession Award will be honored at the NDMTA Conference.
Criteria that may be considered when nominating an individual or entity includes the following:
- Providing a service to NDMTA and/or its local associations
- Evidence of support for the activities of NDMTA and its local associations
- Effect on the music profession as a whole
- Accomplishments/contributions to NDMTA or the musical community
- Community involvement related to music
- Teaching/professional achievement in music
- General professional music activity
- Promotion of music awareness
- Professional achievement - similar to a lifetime achievement award in music
- Evidence of the pursuit of personal excellence in music
Nomination forms will be sent to local NDMTA local associations in January. A nomination made by an individual member or a local association is to be accompanied by a letter of support. The award will be determined by an ad hoc committee of four appointed by the Service to the Profession Chair.
Past Recipients
Congratulations to all of the previous recipients of the Service to the Profession Award.
| Year | Recipient | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Pam Olson | Grand Forks |
| 2016 | Beth Klingenstein | Bismarck |
| 2017 | Scott's Music Store | Grand Forks |
| 2018 | Dr. Robert Groves | Fargo |
| 2020 | Dr. Nariaki Sugiura | Grand Forks |
| 2022 | Don Langley | Grand Forks |
| 2023 | Kathleen Johnson | Langdon |
| 2024 | Josh Gratton | Grand Forks |
Teacher of the Year Recipients
The NDMTA no longer participates in the Teacher of the Year award. We recognize those that have been honored in the past, from 1994-2013.
| Year | Recipient | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Sharon Wesbrook | Hillsboro |
| 1995 | Eloise Halverson | Williston |
| 1996 | Dr. Diana Skroch | Valley City |
| 1997 | Dr. Beth Gigante Klingenstein | Valley City |
| 1998 | Dr. Jane Solose | Grand Forks |
| 1999 | Dianne Hardy | Dickinson |
| 2000 | Elizabeth Rheude | Grand Forks |
| 2001 | Eileen Geske* | Verona |
| 2002 | Carole Flatau | Valley City |
| 2003 | Sara Bloom | Grand Forks |
| 2004 | Sara Hagen | Valley City |
| 2005 | Linda Hanson-Bell | Larimore |
| 2006 | Corinne Nustad | Moorhead |
| 2007 | Karen Okerlund | Fargo |
| 2009 | Marilynn Moe | Fargo |
| 2011 | Gloria Bethke | Grand Forks |
| 2013 | Darla Sheldon | Park River |
*2004 MTNA Teacher of the Year