UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In May, Penn State alumna Deanna Grandstaff, a band teacher at Cecil Intermediate School located just south of Pittsburgh, walked into what she thought was a budget meeting with her school’s principal. As she got settled, onto the flat screen in the room popped country music star Tiera Kennedy.

With a personalized video, Kennedy informed Grandstaff, who graduated in 2007 from the University with a bachelor's degree in music education, that she was selected as a Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation 2024 Music Teacher of Excellence. As a bonus, Kennedy invited her to the Country Music Hall of Fame in September for a celebration of music educators hosted by the CMA.

“I held my hands to my face, and I just couldn’t believe it,” Grandstaff said. “The fact that people are going to be able to know the name of our little school in the middle of Washington County, and to be recognized for trying to make an impact on our students, is beyond humbling.”

Each year, 30 music teachers are recognized by the CMA Foundation: 10 from metro Nashville public schools, 10 from districts across Tennessee and 10 from across the country (Grandstaff’s cohort).

“We are immensely proud to celebrate these 30 remarkable music educators as part of our Music Teachers of Excellence program,” said Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “These teachers consistently go above and beyond to build inclusive environments in their classrooms and communities, often removing barriers that prevent even just one student from participating in music education.”

Grandstaff came to Penn State in 2003 from her hometown of Honesdale in Northeastern Pennsylvania. While at the University, the saxophonist and singer was a member of the Blue Band all four years and performed in numerous choirs, bands and ensembles.

“Penn State gave me a home away from home, a place where I felt like I fit in and where I belonged,” Grandstaff said.

Beyond performing with the Blue Band and onstage with School of Music groups, she was invited to sing backup for Kenny Rogers at the Bryce Jordan Center in December 2004 and later was part of a marching band that performed in designer Marc Jacobs’ runway show during New York Fashion Week.

“It was a transformational time in my life and Penn State provided me with opportunities that I would not have gotten anywhere else,” Grandstaff said.

After graduating in 2007, she landed a teaching job within the Canon-McMillan School District, where she has taught at Cecil Intermediate School and Muse Elementary School, all while staying connected with Penn State through organizations such as the Alumni Blue Band.

In her classroom desk is a simple note written by a former student that maintains the bond with the University and serves as a reminder for Grandstaff of her mission as an educator.

The note was written by then-second grader, and current Penn State School of Music student, Anna Prezioso. The bassoonist thanked Grandstaff and explained that she was inspired by her teacher and mentor.

“Anna is an incredible person and someone that, through music, is going to make such an impact on so many lives,” Grandstaff said. “If I had a small hand in inspiring her and other students, that is my goal.”

Grandstaff’s pedagogical philosophy is built around the words “inspiration” and “impact.” She said she works tirelessly to make sure every child that comes through her school has access to music regardless of socioeconomic status.

“I often have to get creative and find ways of getting instruments in the hands of kids that want to play,” Grandstaff said. “I’m not looking to create the next generation of symphony musicians, because statistically that’s impossible, but what is possible is to create lifelong lovers of music.”

As part of her CMA recognition, the music program in her school will receive a $2,500 grant. Grandstaff’s plan for the money is to bring the power of music not just to the students in her program, but to the entire school.

With that goal in mind, Grandstaff is working with Jim Donovan the drummer and percussionist from the band Rusted Root to provide students in general music classes with a one-week residency (in 2024-25 school year) that will expose them to world music.

“Rhythmic Resiliency,” as Grandstaff has named the initiative, will feature a professional music clinician who will offer a 40-minute session using world music instruments such as the djembe.

“This partnership has the possibility of reaching every student, regardless of if they are in band or not, and I feel it will better serve the population of the school.” Grandstaff said. “It will teach the students teamwork and empathy. When you are performing in a drum circle, you have to be empathetic to what your peers are doing if you want it to sound cohesive.”

With almost 17 years under her belt as a music educator, Grandstaff has made music more accessible to hundreds of children, inspired numerous professional musicians and impacted the lives of her students, several of whom went on to study at Penn State.

In recognition of her contribution to music education, she will be presented the CMA award on Sept. 17 at the historic Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. And while for some, an award of this magnitude might act as a capstone of an incredible career, Grandstaff has a simple message:

“I feel like I’m just getting started.”