Annie Ray, orchestra director at Annandale High School and a parishioner of Queen of Apostles Church in Alexandria, won the 2024 Music Educator Grammy Award last weekend. Citing her work teaching music to students with disabilities, the Recording Academy announced her as the winner Feb. 1. Just hours later, she was on a flight to Los Angeles to receive her award Feb. 3 at the Crypto.com Arena alongside the biggest stars in music.
“It has been a whirlwind going from teaching in the classroom one minute, to next being at the Grammys,” Ray said. “It has been my absolute honor to represent the Annandale community and share the stories my students have taught me with the world. This award is truly theirs.”
“Everyone has been so kind and made us feel so special,” she said. “It was a surreal moment accepting the award and connecting with everyone after. I also got to meet many of my musical heroes and have conversations I will never forget.”
An article on the Grammy Award website said Ray “developed creative opportunities to make music accessible to students of all demographics. Her FCPS (Fairfax County Public Schools) Parent Orchestra enables just under 200 caregivers to learn to play their child’s instrument each year. Ray also created the Crescendo Orchestra program to bring the joy of orchestra to high school students with severe developmental or intellectual disabilities.”
Father Rich Miserendino, chaplain at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg and a close friend, said he’s been privileged to have had a “ringside seat” to Ray’s ascendance as an educator and a Catholic. “Annie is one of the rarest of folks, a generous and genuine altruist, who also has the gift of hard work and brilliance to bring about and run many complex projects at once,” he said. “She converted to Catholicism in college, basically by grace of the Holy Spirit inspiring her to do her own research.”
Ray shared her belief in “the dignity and right for all students to receive quality education that is appropriate for every student to reach their fullest potential.”
When asked about how her faith impacts her teaching, she said, “Music especially is so fundamentally important. It teaches so much more than the notes and rhythms on the page. Music is not the universal language, but making music is. Whatever that looks like for each of us.”
Annandale High School has more than 66 countries represented and a large special education department, she said. “Where there could easily be conflict just from all the different backgrounds and perspectives, we all come together and connect through making music.”
“We find our sense of belonging in our community we’ve created in the music room,” she said. “Jesus meets us every day where we are at and I try to approach teaching in the same way.”
Fairfax County Public Schools announced Ray’s nomination for the award in their Jan. 27 newsletter. “Annie is known for her passion, skill, and belief that every student can achieve greatness. During the pandemic, she went above and beyond to keep her students engaged by leading orchestra curriculum development and providing drive-through support and outdoor practices. Her dedication paid off as Annandale’s orchestra program flourished. During this time, Annie founded Crescendo Orchestra, which serves students in our CAT B program. In addition, she was a founder of the FCPS Parent Orchestra. Her impact and dedication have made a positive difference in the school community.”
As the Music Educator Award recipient, Ray will receive a $10,000 honorarium and matching grant for her school’s music program.
“The wonderful thing about Annie is that she knows our faith is a gem and lives it in such a way that lets it really shine,” said Father Miserendino. “Her story shows that — like our model in Christ — self-sacrifice made in love and generosity bear fruit. Most of all, I like the subtle message of it all: We may not be a famous violinist, an Itzhak Perlman or Hilary Hahn, but we all can have a spot in God’s symphony. We just need someone with a loving heart to teach us to play.”
