SAMOHI Director of Orchestras receives

"2004 California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Leblanc Orchestra Educator of the Year Award"

Joni Swenson, Director of Orchestras at Santa Monica High School, has been honored with the "2004 California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Leblanc Orchestra Educator of the Year Award." She was nominated for the award by fellow music educators from around the state and was selected as the winner of this prestigious award by the CMEA State Board. She will be accepting her award in Sacramento on Friday, March 19.

Ms. Swenson came to our District in September 2002, where she served as Orchestra Director for ten years at Lincoln High School in San Jose. While teaching at Lincoln High, she brought her groups to London and Carnegie Hall. Joni is often called upon to adjudicate/guest conduct student groups at festivals all over the state. She served as the Vice President of CODA (California Orchestra Directors Association), and she also served on the board of the CMEA's Bay and Capital sections. In 2001, a San Francisco based classical radio station KDFC, awarded Joni the "Music Educator of the Year" award.

We are very proud to have Joni Swenson working with our students in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. This year Ms. Swenson will be traveling to Prague with the Santa Monica High School Symphony Orchestra, where they will perform and show Europe that the City of Santa Monica is a place where students receive a FANTASTIC well-rounded education! Congratulations Joni!
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