CCDA - CASMEC Awards for Excellence
Developed during Dr. Jeffrey Benson's presidency to acknowledge choral directors and conductors within the state, CCDA presents two awards at the summation of the California Association Music Education Conference (CASMEC) in January of each year. Nominations are made by the CCDA members/constituency each fall, and then a sub-committee of past winners and CCDA leadership selects the two recipients.
Developed during Dr. Jeffrey Benson's presidency to acknowledge choral directors and conductors within the state, CCDA presents two awards at the summation of the California Association Music Education Conference (CASMEC) in January of each year. Nominations are made by the CCDA members/constituency each fall, and then a sub-committee of past winners and CCDA leadership selects the two recipients.
- Choral Director of the Year - Directors with 10 years or more experience in the field.
- Early Career Conductor of the Year - Directors with no more than 10 years of experience in the field.
Past Award Winners
2026
Heather Bishop, Choral Director of the Year
Andrew Lu, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2025
Gail Bowers, Choral Director of the Year
Sammy Salvador, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2024
Ken Rawdon, Choral Director of the Year
Jennifer Meregini, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2023
Dana Alexander, Choral Director of the Year
Stephanie Rios, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2022
Ken Abrams, Choral Director of the Year
Miguel Chicas, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2021
Genevieve Tep, Choral Director of the Year
Susanna Peeples, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2020
Karen Garrett, Choral Director of the Year
Ryan Clippinger, Early Career Conductor of the Year
Heather Bishop, Choral Director of the Year
Andrew Lu, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2025
Gail Bowers, Choral Director of the Year
Sammy Salvador, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2024
Ken Rawdon, Choral Director of the Year
Jennifer Meregini, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2023
Dana Alexander, Choral Director of the Year
Stephanie Rios, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2022
Ken Abrams, Choral Director of the Year
Miguel Chicas, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2021
Genevieve Tep, Choral Director of the Year
Susanna Peeples, Early Career Conductor of the Year
2020
Karen Garrett, Choral Director of the Year
Ryan Clippinger, Early Career Conductor of the Year
