GIRARD — High School band director David “D.J.” Colella is among more than 200 quarterfinalists for the 2027 Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum.

He is among five quarterfinalists from Ohio. He has been a teacher in Girard since 2015 and is graduate of Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in music education. Recipients, finalists and semifinalists will receive cash honorariums.

The Music Educator Award was established to “recognize educators (kindergarten through college and 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,” according to the MEA website.

The recipient will be recognized during Grammy Week 2027.

The award is open to current U.S. music teachers, and anyone can nominate a teacher — students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans and administrators.

Event organizers said each year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students’ lives. The 13th annual honoree will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 2027 Grammy Awards and a range of Grammy Week events. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants.

Fifteen semifinalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants. In addition, the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association support this program through outreach to their constituencies.

Organizers said a total of 202 music teachers from 177 cities and 36 states have been announced as quarterfinalists. More than 2,100 initial nominations were submitted. In addition to the quarterfinalists, 187 legacy applicants from 2026 also be eligible to win the award this year.

The semifinalists will be announced in September.