A pair of UMass Department of Music and Dance alumni have been recognized on the national stage this month for their contributions to Music Education.
Lisa Linde ‘92 was named the John LaPorta Educator of the Year by Jazz Education Network (JEN) and Berklee College of Music, while Dr. Andrew Stetson ‘10MM was among the list of honorees for Yamaha’s 2025 “40 Under 40” Music Education Advocacy Program.
Stetson is the Director of the School of Music at Texas Tech University, where he pioneered the Music Humanities program to engage students from diverse academic backgrounds and to highlight the importance of music as an essential tool for fostering critical thinking and creativity. “With the advances in technology, it’s clear that creative thought is going to be a commodity in the future, and music is the best way to access creativity,” Stetson explains. “With that as our foundational thought, we are embarking on a plan that opens our doorways to students from across the university so they can experience music and creative activity firsthand. We think it will change their lives and help build a better future for all of us!”
Change is something that Stetson has embraced. He transformed the reputation of the School of Music into one based on cohesiveness, forward-looking vision and trust. How did he accomplish this? “Two words: Open Door,” he says matter-of-factly. “I make a point of being available to everyone and try to make sure I’m accessible for questions, etc. We also post all information from meetings so everyone can see how decisions are developed. That blend of accessibility and transparency help us build a more cohesive unit.”
Linde has been the Instrumental Music director at Newton South High School (MA) since 1998. As a teacher and conductor, Linde directs the Newton South High School Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Honors Chamber Ensembles, Jazz Ensemble, Lab Jazz Ensemble, and four levels of jazz improv courses.
Under her direction, Newton South performing ensembles consistently receive state, regional, and national recognition. The Newton South Jazz Ensemble regularly receives top ratings at MAJE state festivals. Nationally, the Newton South Jazz Ensemble has been accepted into the 2018 and 2021 Essentially Ellington HS Jazz Festival as well as being selected to the Charles Mingus HS Jazz Festival for the past seven years.
Linde is a passionate advocate for gender equality in jazz and is the founder of the nonprofit, Jazzhers, an organization committed to shaping the future of jazz by helping young musicians who identify as female and nonbinary to become connected to and feel empowered within the jazz community.
About Yamaha’s “40 Under 40”
Yamaha launched the “40 Under 40” music education advocacy program in 2021 to celebrate and recognize outstanding young music educators who are making a difference by growing and strengthening their music programs. Now, we celebrate our fifth group of remarkable educators whose classrooms are safe spaces where musicality, creativity and innovation thrive.
These 40 educators — all under the age of 40 — showcase the following characteristics: action (anticipate what needs to be done and proactively take the necessary steps that lead to a stronger music program), courage (propose and implement new or bold ideas), creativity (show innovation and imagination in achieving plans and objectives) and growth (establish, grow or improve music education in their schools and communities).
About the John LaPorta Educator of the Year
The John LaPorta Educator of the Year award is presented jointly by the Jazz Education Network and Berklee College of Music.
Named after the legendary jazz educator, the John LaPorta Educator of the Year award recognizes an outstanding elementary, middle, or high school educator with a focus on jazz education, who represents the highest standards of teaching and whose results in the classroom have brought distinction to their institution and their students.
Portions of this release from Yamaha and JEN websites.