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Published on October 07, 2024
Portland State University's Coty Raven Morris a Semifinalist for GRAMMY 2025 Music Educator AwardSource: Google Street View

For the second consecutive year, Portland State University's choir professor Coty Raven Morris has secured a spot as a semifinalist for the prestigious GRAMMY 2025 Music Educator Award. Out of a massive pool exceeding 2,400 nominees from coast to coast, Morris stands out as one of 25 educators in the running for the award, which celebrates those making meaningful and enduring contributions to music education. According to a statement obtained by KOIN, Morris shared her excitement, "I am ecstatic to celebrate this recognition with my community here at Portland State, my family on the East Coast, and my peers and colleagues in the South," adding that the honor, alongside her students' commitment, has raised the bar for their musical ambitions.

At PSU, Morris not only conducts the Rose and Thorn Choirs but is also the beating heart of a music-driven movement known as Being Human Together. This initiative, founded by her, aims to bring challenging conversations to the forefront through music, tackling issues like mental health and diversity. Being recognized for her inclusive and uplifting mentorship, one student highlighted her impact, stating in an interview acquired by Portland State University News, "Not only was joy at the center of the classroom and music making, but it was also a place you could show up as yourself and that would be okay, and more than that, it would be accepted and loved and praised."

Morris's commitment to fostering a love for music extends beyond the university setting. She serves as a contributing host and producer on All Classical Radio and hosts 'community sings,' inclusive singing events open to all. Her work has led her to teach choir workshops across a variety of educational settings, and she's become a prominent voice in advancing the importance of music education at professional conferences nationwide. Morris's educational prowess is backed by her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Music from Texas State University.

As the GRAMMY Award ceremony approaches, the music education community watches with anticipation for the finalist announcement in December. As reported by the Willamette Week, the winner will receive not only a personal reward of $10,000 but also a matching grant for their school's music program. Morris, with the next "community sing" slated for December 6, 2024, will welcome anyone wishing to bask in the harmonies at the "Threads of Harmony" concert featuring PSU choirs, showcasing the unifying power of music and its ability to create communities across diverse backgrounds.