Not only does MusiCounts work towards breaking down barriers for students in music equipment and resources in schools and communities across Canada, but we believe in highlighting the educators who bring the music in the classroom to life - we recognize these educators through the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, presented by Anthem Entertainment, which was established 20 years ago in 2005.

Educators help develop the bright minds of a new generation of musicians, artists, and maybe even music teachers of the country. But that would not be possible if the proposed cuts to music programs and teachers in BC and TDSB go through.

Let’s go on a blast to the past and take a look at the history of the Award, some of our past recipients, and the impact they’ve made on students in their communities.

2006

Norman McIntosh of Confederation Secondary School in Val Caron, Ontario was the first ever recipient of the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award. He started his career coming into an unstable music program, and used his past experience as a drummer in various bands to found a new rock band program. Building on this success, he brought this rock band formula to multiple schools in the Sudbury area and students have gone on to become part of the music industry (as musicians, stage crew, and more).

Canadian music legend Bob Ezrin, one of the founders of the Award, arranged for The Rolling Stones to present Norman McIntosh his Award. The Award was originally backed by artists like Rush, The Tragically Hip and more.

2008

Bernard Hébert is the only MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award recipient from Quebec (so far)! He taught at Polyvalente Nicolas-Gatineau High School for a whopping 28 years, but has touched the hearts of over 5,000 students over his long career. He had a range of music programs that performed publicly annually, and garnered media attention.

To receive his Award, he was flown to Las Vegas to accept the statuette from Céline Dion herself, who was sponsoring the Award that year.

2021

Holding the JUNOS virtually didn’t stop MusiCounts from recognizing teachers, including Dr. Mary Piercey-Lewis who was our first recipient from the Canadian territories. From Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit, Nunavut, she holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology and has dedicated over two decades of uplifting and exploring the Inuit community into her music programming, having opportunities to perform across Canada, including for the Prime Minister.

2025

Flash forward to this year - MusiCounts is still honouring educators across Canada. Jeannie Hunter is our 20th MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, presented by Anthem Entertainment. Jeannie advocates for the music programs she had to start at the schools she’s worked at, and through her connections to artists, industry, and various music educator communities, she is able to build a foundation for students for a life-long love for music. Additionally, she allows her students to simulate a nomination process for their own JUNO Awards in the classroom.

To make the moment even more special, Jeannie accepted her award on the JUNOS stage and was handed her statuette from Michael Bublé and his wife.

MusiCounts would like to give our greatest gratitude to all the music teachers and educators that work tirelessly to advocate for the importance of music and creativity for youth in Canada!