Northbrook Music Teacher Named Grammy Award Quarterfinalist

NORTHBROOK, IL — Jeremy Bartunek is in special company again. The 2020 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching award winner is one of just 212 quarterfinalists for the 2024 Music Educator Award from The Recording Academy and Grammy Museum. Bartunek teaches music at Greenbriar School.

"I am so honored and excited to be a quarterfinalist," Bartunek said in a news release from Northbrook District 28. "It is so wonderful to work in a district and live in a community that has such high support for the arts and educators. I feel very privileged to have so many musical opportunities."

Bartunek is also the founder and director of the District 28 Children’s Choir, which has performed throughout the community and in Chicago.

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According to the district, the quarterfinalists hail from 197 cities and were selected from more than 2,000 nominations. Every year, one recipient is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their impact on students’ lives. The nine other finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium and schools receiving matching grants. Fifteen semi-finalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants.

"I'm very proud of Jeremy and appreciative of the hard work he puts into creating a safe and inspiring place for children to develop a love for music. He is surrounded by colleagues who support and believe in the importance of the arts in education and we all congratulate him on this honor," Greenbriar Principal Dr. Ginny Hiltz said.