Contributed by NCPS Student Intern, Nicholas Mohamad
NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan High School’s Choral Director, Sarah Gleason, has been named a quarterfinalist for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award. Sarah was one of 2,000 music educators nominated from 180 American cities, and one of five from Connecticut. Now, she is one of just 200 still in the running. This recognition is one of many testaments to the brilliant music education Gleason has brought to New Canaan Public Schools and to the district’s prolific Visual and Performing Arts program.
The Grammys recognize music educators from kindergarten classrooms to college professors, across public and private schools nationwide. Nominees are selected based on their long-lasting impact, outstanding music education, and commitment to preserving music in school systems. The winner will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 2026 Grammys and other Grammy-related events. All 10 finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, as will the schools they teach for. The Recording Academy and Grammy Museum will announce the semifinalists in September, with the final recipient of the 2026 Music Educator Award chosen during the week of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.
Sarah has been New Canaan High School’s Choral Director since 2015. Before that, she taught at Saxe Middle School starting in 2002 as a music educator. Over the years, she and her many choirs have had a conquest of successes, including national trips and competitions nationwide, with performances at Disney World, Radio City, Six Flags, and recently, Nashville.
“We consistently earn superior ratings at choral competitions we attend, and we have many students attend regional, state, and national choral conventions throughout the year, adjudicated by auditions,” says Nicholas Mohamad, a New Canaan High School senior (Class of 2025), and four-year member and select ensemble singer in the program, who also serves as social media manager.
Mohamad went on to share how the choir is not only privileged to be guided by an amazing teacher, but also curated by Sarah into a friendly, supportive, and kind environment. “Anyone is able to join the choir—you just have to sign up. We are constantly laughing as we learn, and the choir room is a central hub not just for singing, but for friendship and collaboration. And that’s why we, as a choir, are so successful. Not just because we are able to learn difficult choral expressions, but because we do so enjoyably—with Ms. Gleason.”
For more information about the awards and NCHS choir, please visit: https://grammymuseum.org/education/music-educator-award/ and https://newcanaanhighschoolchoir.weebly.com/
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L-R: Hank Durfee, Charlotte Campbell, Sarah Gleason, Isa Temple, Nicholas Mohamad, Thomas Pisant, Bennett Gropper, Tessa Madden, Dan Yoo, Hayden Burke, Henry Tate, and the other 2024-2025 select Madrigal ensemble taking a Starbucks trip during their annual caroling tour.
New Canaan High School choir workshopping pieces for their spring concert at Vanderbilt University with Music Professor David Williams.