Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
Alberto (Al) Rodriguez is an engaging educator, conductor, clinician, and performer who will take on the role of Music Director of the Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra after serving for three seasons as Assistant Conductor. A two time “Orchestra Director of the Year” winner from the Fairfax Orchestra Directors Association and currently a Quarterfinalist for the 2024 Music Educator Award presented by the GRAMMY Foundation, Al has served as Director of Orchestras at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, VA since 2017.
Al received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University in 2015 and a M.M. in Music Education from Ithaca College in 2021.
The 2024 Music Educator Award
The Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum announced the quarterfinalists for the 2024 Music Educator Award, which recognizes current educators — kindergarten through college across public and private schools — who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.
The 212 music teachers selected as quarterfinalists, who hail from 197 cities, were selected from more than 2,000 initial submitted nominations. In addition to the quarterfinalists, 123 legacy applicants from 2023 will also be eligible to win the Music Educator Award this year.
Semi-finalists for the award will be announced this September. The ultimate recipient will be recognized during GRAMMY Week 2024.