The ATA News , February 17, 2026 ❚ 5
Cremona teacher earns national recognition for music education
Lindsay Yakimyshyn ATA News Managing Editor B and teacher Alex Hutcheon was shoveling snow when he learned his work in music education has earned national recognition. Named a finalist for the 2026 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, Hutcheon is being celebrated for building a thriving band program at Cremona School and championing access to music education in a small, rural community. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I’m just very honoured and humbled and grateful for all the support from the students and the community.” As the only finalist from western Canada, Hutcheon added that he’s proud to represent Cremona, a village about an Hutcheon began his teaching career in 2015 at Holy Cross Collegiate in Strathmore and moved into a teaching role at Cremona School in 2017.When he arrived, the band program was small, sometimes with fewer than 10 students. Since then, he has built it up to nearly 150 students, though he emphasizes that this achievement is shared. “It’s taken us a long time to get here,” he reflected. “But our staff is very supportive of the music program, and I’ve been lucky to have administrators who understand the benefits of music education and are willing to invest in it long-term.” Working in a small, rural K–12 school also allowed him to forge long-term relationships that supported the program’s strength and continuity. “The grade 8s this year were in my first kindergarten music class at the school,” he said. “I get to create a clear direction with the students and know what we need to have in place to build up to the next step.” hour north of Calgary. Building the band
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Teacher Alex Hutcheon with his school’s junior high band at last year’s MusicFest Nationals in Toronto
continue to grow and establish a strong reputation within the community. His work building the music program at the school reinforces his belief that music education matters, and that music teachers can make a difference for their students. A musical legacy A graduate of the University of Lethbridge with a music performance degree and an education after-degree, Hutcheon credits public school teachers with setting him on the path to a career in music education. In particular, he credits his mentors, music teachers Heather Biggin and Kirk Wassmer, for igniting his passion for music. “The two of them are why I wanted to do this,” he said.“I just want to bring the same level of joy to students that those two brought to me every day.” Now, receiving this national
recognition, Hutcheon praises fellow teachers across the province who are likewise championing music education in public schools. He hopes his recognition will inspire other music teachers to apply for MusiCounts funding and awards to bolster their programs. “This has helped our school […] and music education as a whole,” he said. The 2026 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award winner will be announced on March 26 at the JUNO Awards. Established in 2005, the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award recognizes teachers whose leadership and creativity make music a lasting part of a student’s life. The award winner will receive a cash prize and a JUNO Award statuette, as well as a grant to support their school’s music program and further expand access to music education.
Accessibility has also been key to the program’s success. When Hutcheon arrived, the band parent society already owned a fleet of instruments. He has since expanded that inventory to remove barriers to student participation. “We want to make it as simple as possible for these kids to be able to have instruments,” he said. He also works with students who face scheduling conflicts or other challenges, adapting timetables or instruments as needed. “Whatever it is, we find a way,” he said. “If a kid can’t play an instrument for one reason or another, we’ll find a way to accommodate them.” Last year, the program faced a new challenge: more students than instruments. Hutcheon applied for and received nearly $16,000 in MusiCounts funding to purchase new instruments, helping the program
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