Irvine music teacher honored as one of CMA Foundation's Music Teachers of Excellence

IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) -- A longtime Irvine music educator was surprised in his classroom this week with a national honor recognizing his decades of work inspiring young musicians.

Henry Miller, director of instrumental music at Sierra Vista Middle School, was named one of the Country Music Association Foundation's 30 Music Teachers of Excellence for the year.

The award is given annually to carefully-selected educators across the country who demonstrate outstanding commitment to music education.

Miller, who has taught in the Irvine Unified School District for 36 years, including 22 at Sierra Vista, was leading a class when school leaders, district officials, and his family entered to surprise him with the news.

"I am so fortunate to be in this district because in this community, they value music. They value the arts," Miller said.

Principal Jeff Morano praised Miller's impact on students and the school's music program.

"He's such an incredible teacher who always puts kids first and he's so humble," Morano said.

During his tenure, Miller has overseen three bands and three orchestras, and is credited with tripling the number of students participating in music at the school.

Morano said Miller's reputation extends well beyond his classroom.

"Kids love him and their siblings rave about him, and so when they enter our school, they know 100% they want to do anything they can with Mr. Miller," he said.

Along with national recognition, the award includes access to the CMA Foundation's industry network and a $5,000 stipend. Miller said the honor reinforces the importance of music education.

"We meet a different need than the other classes that they have at school," he said. "This is about connecting with people, about keeping the arts alive, to me, what it means to be a human being."

Miller said he plans to use the stipend to purchase music literature and additional instruments for his students.

This recognition is the latest on his already impressive resume. He won the same award in 2019, and in 2016, he was a Grammy music educator semi-finalist.