Elgin Symphony Orchestra to honor U-46’s Jaimie Abney-Giraldo with Educator of the Year Award

Jaimie Abney-Giraldo

U-46 District Fine Arts Coordinator Jaimie Abney-Giraldo will be recognized for her exemplary dedication to enhancing music education by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra during its Saturday, May 3, 7:30 p.m. concert at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, Ill.  

After a decade of teaching band and mariachi at U-46 schools, Abney-Giraldo has continued sharing her passion for music education and the arts as an administrator overseeing the District’s Fine Arts Programs. 

“We are thrilled to honor one of Elgin’s leading and most experienced arts educators and advocates for access to arts education for all youth,” said Marc Thayer, CEO of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, who will present Abney-Giraldo with the ESO’s Educator of the Year Award. “Jaimie has partnered with the Elgin Symphony for many years and assisted music teachers throughout the U-46 District in elevating students’ music experiences through student attendance at the ESO’s  youth education concerts at The Hemmens and hosting ESO musicians in their schools for classes, concerts and Adopt-a-School Programs.”

Abney-Giraldo’s commitment has helped lead U-46 to be recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation annually since 2019.

She has been with U-46 since 2005. In addition to her Fine Arts leadership in schools, Abney-Giraldo is also a sought-after expert on Mariachi education, presenting at the local, state and national levels, authored a chapter in The Music Teacher's Guide to Engaging English Language Learners on Mariachi Education, and is a repeat contributor to School Band & Orchestra + Magazine on Mariachi Education.

Tickets for the Saturday, May 3, concert, featuring Holst’s “The Planets” start at $20.