Students and Staff Shine at State Music Conference

Congratulations to PSD Music Educators Eric Ryan, Jill Burch, and Cathy Johnson, who were awarded prestigious honors at the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) State Conference last month. 

Jill Burch

Dessie Evans Elementary General Music and Choir Teacher Jill Burch was inducted into the WMEA Educators Hall of Fame. 

When Burch first learned she was being inducted, she mentioned that it was a humbling experience.  

"I thought, this email must be for someone else,” Burch said. "I feel honored and humbled to have my name included in the same list as music educators who have been my mentors and inspirations, especially my husband." 

Since 1988, Burch has inspired thousands of students throughout the district, including Dessie Evans Elementary Second Grade Student Malia Marion. 

"This music teacher (Mrs. Burch) is the best," Marion said. "She can do awesome performances, sing with smiling eyes, and do anything. If I were to get a job, it would be a music teacher." 

Cathy Johnson

Along with Burch (middle), former PSD music educator Cathy Johnson earned a WMEA Hall of Fame nod for her contributions.

Johnson began teaching music in 1980 and taught orchestra in the district from 1999 to 2011. After her tenure, she stepped into a volunteer role with PSD to help orchestra students. 

When Johnson learned about the Hall of Fame news, she said, "I got goosebumps and was really surprised. This is such an important honor because it's given by your peers. I knew I wanted to be an orchestra teacher since the 9th grade."

Eric Ryan

Puyallup High School (PHS) Band Teacher Eric Ryan was voted the Valley Music Educators Association Regional Teacher of the Year.

When Ryan learned about the news, he jokingly said, "My first reaction was, 'what is the criteria, and how did I meet it?' Ryan also added, "My second reaction was 'I'm too young to receive an award like this!' My third reaction was humility!" 

For over 20 years, Ryan has educated many PSD students.  

PHS Band President Kennedy Son said, "Mr. Ryan introduces his students to many opportunities and supports his students through their individual choices and personal endeavors. He keeps music rehearsals light-hearted and fun (usually), allowing for an easy learning environment that keeps it comfortable for us as students." 

PSD Music Students Steal the Show

Along with the recognition from WMEA, our student music performers were also a huge part of the three-day conference:  

• Rogers High Concert School Choir was one of the two choirs who performed at the conference. 

• Pans of Steel performed during the keynote address, the largest audience at the conference. 

Way to go, PSD Fine Arts!