Portland State University School of Music & Theater faculty member Coty Raven Morris has advanced to the rank of semifinalist for the Grammy 2024 Music Educator Award.
One of just 25 semifinalists from 25 cities across the United States, Morris was selected from an initial pool of 2,000 music educators vying for the prestigious award. Finalists for the Grammy 2024 Music Educator Award will be announced in December, with the final award recipient announced in January of 2024.
Through the award, the Grammys recognize educators “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 an official announcement.
As the Hinckley Assistant Professor of Choir, Music Education and Social Justice, Morris has brought PSU students and community organizations together to better serve vulnerable populations in the greater Portland area through the healing of music.
Coty Raven Morris with "Fearless Girl" sculpture in New York City“Coty is one of the most inspiring humans and educators that I have ever met,” said Dr. Ethan Sperry, Director of Choral Activities at Portland State University. “She embodies what this award stands for, and I feel very privileged that I get to work alongside her.”
Morris has partnered with organizations such as First Christian Church, Portland Homeless Family Solutions, Westmoreland Union Manor, Maybelle Center, OpenHAUS, and Street Roots, to launch The Choir for Houseless Communities Initiative. This program provides a space for people from all backgrounds to participate in music and creates a platform for PSU students to become involved in socially conscious music education.
The program includes “community sings” where PSU students create fellowship with community members, teaching them specific choral pieces, and performing the music together. The community sings form part of a larger concert series titled “From Dust to Dawn” presented by Portland State University Choirs and directed by Professor Morris and her colleague, Dr. Ethan Sperry. The 2023-2024 concert series launched in November, with performances scheduled through May 2024. The upcoming performance At the Foundation will take place Friday, December 1, at First Christian Church, and is a community sing performance featuring PSU University Choirs, Rose Choir, and the Community Chorus, which is made up of faculty and staff.
Coty Raven Morris has also launched the Music Education Bridge Program and piloted the Being Human Together Youth Summit, both of which provide PSU students with the opportunity to engage in music education at the high school and elementary school levels. Through the Music Education Bridge Program, in collaboration with ensembles such as Friends of the Children – Portland, Bravo Youth Orchestra, and Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir, PSU students gain education experience by leading high school and elementary school youth through rehearsals and leadership programs.
The second annual Being Human Together Youth Summit will be held in May 2024 and is a collaborative effort between The Portland State Choir Social Justice Initiative and University Studies, bringing together PSU music students and Portland area high school students for a shared learning experience. This event will include workshops, social activities, poster presentations, a community sing, and Portland State ensemble performances led by PSU students.
“I’m a long way from the little girl from New Orleans who just wanted to sing, teach, and hug the world,” Morris states. “But in reality, I feel closer to that part of me than I ever have before. And I’m just honored to be in the company of the gifted educators on this list and want to acknowledge all the wonderful teachers who deserve recognition every day!”