The New Jersey Jazz Education Achievement Award
On an annual basis, the NJAJE Board of Directors is proud to nominate a New Jersey jazz educator who has demonstrated the highest standards of teaching excellence and dedication to the jazz education community. The award is presented annually in November at the State Jazz Conference and again at the final concert of the NJ All State Jazz Ensemble and NJ All State Jazz Choir at NJPAC. A commemorative plaque is presented to each recipient.
2023 Awardee: Mr. Doug Heyburn
Doug Heyburn retired this year as the Director of Choral Activities at West Milford High School since 1995. While at West Milford, he taught Concert Choir, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Vocal Jazz, Harmony & Theory, piano and guitar. He was the recipient of the West Milford School District Teacher of the Year, the Passaic County Teacher of The Year, as well as having received the Governors Teacher Recognition Award. His choirs have performed at Carnegie Hall four times and were chosen to perform with the legendary rock band, Foreigner. He and his wife Maria directed and choreographed the musicals at West Milford for 15 years where he received nominations for best director and best show among others from the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards. His vocal jazz ensembles have won first place at the Roxbury Choral Invitational, the Berklee Jazz Festival in Boston Ma., Music In The Parks, and the NJAJE State Vocal Jazz Festival. Mr. Heyburn has been active with NJAJE for many years assisting with rehearsals, chaperoning and has conducted both the North and Central New Jersey Region Jazz Choirs. On weekends he can be found playing classic rock and blues in clubs and restaurants around New Jersey. He holds a Masters Degree in Music Education and lives in Butler New Jersey with his wife and three boys.
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Past Awardees
Don Braden
Anthony Branker
David Demsey
Andrew DeNicola
Denis Di Blasio
Clem DeRosa
Wayne Dillon
Dr. Diana Dohrmann
Bill Garton
Richard Graham
Dr. Jeffrey Kunkel
Jeffrey Haas
Brian Height
Jeffrey Lesser
John Lindner
David Thomas May
Joel Perry
Earl Phillips
Rufus Reid
Michael Russo
Julius Tolentino
Randy White
Ray Wiggins
Wilbur Witteman
Anthony Branker
David Demsey
Andrew DeNicola
Denis Di Blasio
Clem DeRosa
Wayne Dillon
Dr. Diana Dohrmann
Bill Garton
Richard Graham
Dr. Jeffrey Kunkel
Jeffrey Haas
Brian Height
Jeffrey Lesser
John Lindner
David Thomas May
Joel Perry
Earl Phillips
Rufus Reid
Michael Russo
Julius Tolentino
Randy White
Ray Wiggins
Wilbur Witteman