Rancho Santa Margarita Choral Teacher Celebrated With Jason Mraz, Five for Fighting

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Choir teacher Keith Hancock may have been the 2017 Grammy Educator of the Year, but on April 24, Tesoro High School enjoyed a celebration that was as much a "roast" of the choir teacher as it was a celebration of his accomplishments and the impact he has had on students during his tenure according to the Orange County Register. The recent event included recording artists Jason Mraz and Five for Fighting, who played for the 2,000 guests in attendance.

Hancock listened as alumni shared their stories of the impact he's had not only on their music careers, but their lives.

Trevor Wesley, a 2004 graduate of Tesoro High School and now a recording artist in his own right, both performed and shared his experience with Hancock as an educator.

"He's a man of integrity," Wesley said. "He was there for me as a person, a friend."

Hancock's own choral teacher at Brethren Christian, Carlita Hutton also appeared at the event for her former student, sharing anecdotes of Hancock's musical passion, including how he was typically the last one off of the bus after performing at festivals. "He never wanted it to end," she said.

"He was intelligent, bright, polite and a tenor," she said. "I decided he was a keeper."

According to the Register, David Sears, Grammy Foundation executive education director, presented Hancock with a check for $10,000. Representatives from Ford Motor Co. and Journeys gave him a matching check for the school's music program.

Mraz and Five for Fighting played, and Hancock's Madrigals choir sang back-up to both artists. They performed four songs each, including "I'm Yours," "Lucky," and "I Won't Give Up."

Current Tesoro choral student Kendall Holding joined Mraz for "Lucky,"and Macie Sherman and Eve Devault joined in on "I Won't Give Up," according to the Register.

Five for Fighting played their hits "Superman" and "100 Years."

Hancock himself rounded out the night, thanking all present and heaping praise upon his students, their parents and the community.

"It was the night of a lifetime," he told the Register after the concert. "This is bigger than I could have dreamt. Seeing the alums come back, it was a really cool experience to make music with them."

Full Story: Jason Mraz Honors Tesoro GRAMMY Educator

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