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A resolution recognizing Marisa Frank as a Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum 2023 Music Educator Award finalist.
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WHEREAS, the Recording Academy of the United States and GRAMMY Museum annually present Grammy Awards for outstanding achievements in the music industry, regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the music industry worldwide; and
WHEREAS, ten music teachers from across the country were selected as finalists for the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum’s 2023 Music Educator Award, an award which recognizes educators who have made a significant contribution to the music education field; and
WHEREAS, the ten finalists were selected from more than 1,205 initial nominations from 47 different states; and
WHEREAS, 2023 Music Educator Award finalist, Marisa Frank, is the Director of Music at Explore! Community School, a K-8 Tennessee Reward School in East Nashville; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Frank is a music teacher, choral director, and children’s music songwriter; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Frank is the Founder and Director of Music City Kidz, an organization that elevates the voices of Nashville’s youth and brings together K-12 students from across the city for unique performances and recordings of original songs written by and for children; and
WHEREAS, under the direction of Ms. Frank, the robust music program at Explore! Community School is part of the fabric of an organization that serves a diverse population of students, many of whom have little to no access to music education outside of school; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Frank uses her education and skills to create a music program that inspires students to make the world a better place and use music performance as a healthy means of processing and expressing strong emotions like sadness, anger, and grief; and
WHEREAS, each week at her direction, all students participate in rigorous choral and instrumental music lessons and perform as one choir, showcasing songs that encourage and celebrate growth; and
WHEREAS, the creative works of Ms. Frank’s students have been selected as 1st place winners in the national songwriting competition, Sing Your Anthem, through the non-profit, Kidizenship, judged by Grammy Award-winning artists, Darius Rucker, Jason Isbell, Rhiannon Giddens, and Genesis Be; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Frank’s creative work with children was featured online by the GRAMMYs in December of 2020; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Frank has led her students in performing for members of the United States Congress, the Tennessee Governor’s Office, the Tennessee General Assembly, the Nashville Mayor’s Office, the Metropolitan County Council of Nashville and Davidson County, as well as in performing as featured guests at the Nashville Schermerhorn Symphony Center and the official Nashville Christmas Tree lighting ceremony; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Frank has served in schools across our city for the past 15 years, including Gower Elementary, Julia Green Elementary, J.T. Moore Middle School, and Nashville Classical Charter School; and
WHEREAS, Marisa Frank demonstrates a strong commitment to music education in our Metro schools, and her dedicated teaching inspires and supports countless students in our larger Nashville community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Marisa Frank as a Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum 2023 Music Educator Award finalist and expresses its gratitude for her service to our city.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.