A Nixa High School music teacher known for orchestrating student success could gain national attention in the coming weeks.
Daniel Gutierrez is one of 25 semifinalists for the 2025 Grammy Music Educator Award. Mr. Gutierrez was selected from over 2,400 nominations after multiple rounds of review by a judging committee. The Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum, recognizes someone who has “made significant contributions and demonstrated dedication to music education.”
Mr. Gutierrez is referred to as “Mr.” His students chose “G,” or simply “G,” and senior Gavin Collins nominated him for the award.
Collins said Gutierrez is a fun and caring teacher who inspires his students. He is also a person who insists on doing things the right way.
Nixa High School senior Gavin Collins said Daniel Gutierrez was “like a second father” in helping him fall in love with a cappella music. (Photo courtesy of Susan Wade)
“He holds you to a high standard,” Collins said. He plans to major in music after graduation. “When he’s in the classroom, he’s working.”
You can clearly see this during choir practice. When the students enter the classroom, they greet each other, take their seats, and, without any fuss, start singing scales as a warm-up for their voices.
Mr. Gutierrez then guides the students through the piece they are working on, frequently stopping them to explain how he would like them to do a part differently.
What’s striking is that he doesn’t tell his students they’re doing anything wrong. Instead, he uses the word “we” instead of “you” to point out where change is needed. He knows that his students’ success depends on his instruction and their voices.
“Honestly, I’ve never had a music teacher like him,” Collins said, her voice filled with respect and admiration.
Gutierrez, who grew up on Long Island, New York, began teaching music in Springfield 16 years ago after graduating from Evangel University. He joined Nixa’s education team seven years ago.
When the students’ voices create the sound he wants, Daniel Guiterres has a big smile on his face. (Photo courtesy of Susan Wade)
Gutierrez is proud of his accomplishments over the years, including being named Teacher of the Year in Springfield and receiving awards for leading local and national honor choirs.
Even so, Gutierrez seems surprised to have made it to the semifinals of this award.
“It’s a very humbling feeling,” he said. “I know for a fact that there are some great music educators out there.”
The committee will select up to 10 finalists, who will be announced in the coming weeks. One winner will then be selected and recognized in February during 2025 Grammy Week, prior to the 2025 Grammy Awards Ceremony.
The winner will receive a $10,000 honorarium and a matching grant to their school. The nine remaining finalists will each receive a $1,000 honorarium and a stipend equal to $1,000, and the remaining semifinalists will receive a $500 honorarium and a stipend equivalent to their school.
The Music Educator Award is presented annually by the Grammy Museum and the Recording Academy. This award is open to active music teachers from kindergarten through college in public and private schools in the United States.
susan wade
Susan Wade’s career included nine years at the Springfield News-Leader, where she covered a variety of topics including Christian County, Greene County and higher education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and journalism and a master’s degree in communications from Missouri State University. She is a lifelong resident of Southwest Missouri. Please send email to christiancounty@sgfcitizen.org.