AWARE Board Member Receives National Music Teacher Award

We are excited to give a shout-out to AWARE Board Member and Treasurer/Secretary Kim Lorengo.

In February, she was awarded the 2022 National Federation of State High School Associations Music Educator Award for Montana.

Kim says that this award is special because she was nominated by a group of peers and mentors.

“I get to join a list of prior award winners that include some of my former teachers who inspired me to become a music teacher,” Kim said. “It is incredibly humbling yet gratifying knowing that people recognize the work you are doing.”

According to the NFHS website, the Music Educator Award is presented to recipients dedicated to an active music program providing significant and ongoing contributions.

Dedicated is definitely a word that describes Kim.

Kim has a 22-year career as a music teacher and is part of the high school leadership team in Anaconda School District No. 10. She instructs 17 choir, orchestra and music classes for students fourth to 12th grades. She is also an advisor for 15 “awesome” freshman students.

Four days a week, Kim spends many hours after school supporting students in their musical endeavors. She helps them prepare and participate in district and state music festivals and teaches afterschool private piano, violin, guitar and voice lessons.

You’ll also see the student musicians perform around town during the holidays or singing the National Anthem during home games. If she’s not directing the students, Kim is usually nearby.

From 2013 to 2019, Kim further instilled the love of music in students by leading 21-day European tours where the choir and band students performed in seven different countries.

In addition, Kim participates in many other activities throughout the Anaconda community to include teaching junior/high school religious education at the Lutheran church in Anaconda.

Kim, congratulations on your amazing award. We are proud call you an AWARE Board Member.

To learn more about Kim’s role on AWARE’s board, you can read her profile here: https://www.aware-inc.org/key-aware-leadership?pgid=kr3vf0e8-da661f1d-0bee-4f81-82a9-2849a0943a07