Fairport High School (FHS) Music Teacher Bill Tiberio has been teaching students of all ages in Fairport for more than three decades. You’ll see him everywhere; from directing the orchestra in the pit for the FHS musicals and giving one-on-one instruction on woodwind instruments to conducting jazz ensembles at FHS and at area colleges. 

Tiberio’s love of music education is so well-known and respected that even colleagues who teach in other districts are admirers of his work. It was one of those colleagues that nominated him for the 2022 Music Educator Award,

presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum. Tiberio has advanced to the quarter-final round of the award process. Tiberio said the award is a recognition of the importance of music education.

“Teachers are the primary influences on the musicians that are making it in the world,” he said.

The award has been given out since 2013. Tiberio was also nominated and made it to the quarterfinals in its inaugural year. 

“I feel so lucky because I love being with young people; high school and college students…I learn so much from them,” said Tiberio. “I live to play music and to be around young people…it’s not a job for me, it’s what I am. It’s not what I do for a living, it’s what I do to live.”

A total of 219 music teachers from 204 cities have been announced as quarter finalists for the

Music Educator Award. There were 189 legacy applicants from 2020 as well, including a music teacher from Eastridge High School, who will also be eligible to win the award this year. Tiberio said the semi-finalists will be selected in the fall, and the finalists and winner will be recognized at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards.

Tiberio is also a professional saxophone player who has performed at the Rochester International Jazz Festival with his ensemble for more than a decade. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at The University of Rochester, Ithaca College and SUNY Geneseo.