For Immediate Release

Contact: Catherina Hurlburt at NAfME

catherinah@nafme.org or (703) 860-4000, x.242

NAfME Member and Former Blue Öyster Cult Drummer Albert Bouchard to Be Honored at the White House “Great Educators” Event May 3

RESTON, VA (May 2, 2016)—What does a successful rock band member do after retiring from performing and touring? In Albert Bouchard’s case, he enters the classroom to bring music into the lives of students who might not otherwise experience it. What might seem like a challenging transition was a natural move for Mr. Bouchard.

For more than 25 years, Albert Bouchard, a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), has been working as an administrator and teaching music at Edward A. Reynolds West Side High School, a Title I school in the Morningside Heights section of Manhattan, NY.

Last fall in collaboration with 21st Century Fox, the Give a Note Foundation presented Reynolds West Side High School a $3,000 grant for their exemplary music program. Mr. Bouchard mostly funds this program out of his own pocket. He understands the significant difference music makes in the lives of students—and many students at Reynolds West Side High School are there to make a fresh start in their education. Mr. Bouchard helps ensure they get a strong start on life.

Now, on May 3, along with many other educators from around the nation, Albert Bouchard will be honored as one of the “Great Educators” in a White House ceremony taking place on National Teacher Appreciation Day.

“These students will take the valuable lessons learned in his music classroom with them for the rest of their lives. Albert Bouchard has truly earned this recognition by the White House as a ‘Great Educator.’”

“This honor is greatly deserved by Albert Bouchard,” said NAfME CEO and Executive Director Michael A. Butera. “His daily, sacrificial work in the lives of those New York students will help ensure future success when they leave the classroom. We are excited to see him honored at the national level.”

“Seeing firsthand what Albert Bouchard does in the classroom at Reynolds West Side High School was truly impressive,” said Jane Mell Balek, Give a Note Foundation COO and NAfME Assistant Executive Director. “These students will take the valuable lessons learned in his music classroom with them for the rest of their lives. He has truly earned this recognition by the White House as a ‘Great Educator.’”

Albert Bouchard knows that all students need more than “more cowbell”—they need a high-quality, classroom music education where they can express themselves and launch successfully into life. NAfME celebrates this great honor bestowed upon him by the White House.

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National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members, the organization is the national voice of music education in the United States.

Follow NAfME on Twitter (twitter.com/nafme) and on Facebook (facebook.com/nafme).

For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at catherinah@nafme.org or 703-860-4000, ext. 242.