Ann Felder named Orchestra Teacher of the Year by Michigan Band and Orchestra Association

Ann Felder, retired Monroe Public Schools teacher and orchestra director, was recently named Orchestra Teacher of the Year by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.

“This state award is an incredible recognition voted on by instrumental music teachers throughout Michigan,” Monroe Public Schools said.

MSBOA’s District 12 includes Monroe, Washtenaw and part of Wayne counties. The organization’s executive board selected three finalists to submit to the MSBOA membership for voting.

Felder received the state award at the Michigan Music Conference, which was Jan. 19-21 in Grand Rapids. MSBOA also holds a formal presentation in the recipient’s community. An announcement will made soon.

Felder taught string students in sixth through 12th grades at MPS.

“Under her direction, the Monroe High School Orchestra earned a First Division (“superior”) rating at every festival they attended, both district and state, throughout her tenure. Ann also led two after-school groups, the Frenchtown Fiddlers and the MHS Chamber Strings. Her MSBOA peers also honored Ann in 2018 as District 12 Orchestra Director of the Year and as one of three finalists for the state award,” MPS said.

Felder has bachelor and master of music degrees from the University of Michigan. Her career as a music teacher spanned 37 years at public, private and parochial schools in Michigan. Before joining Monroe Public Schools in 1999, she taught at Meadow Montessori and St. John in Monroe, St. Patrick in Carleton and at Wayne-Westland Community Schools.

Felder also directs ensembles and taught young string players in community organizations. For 24 years she was involved with the Monroe Youth Orchestra and the Arts Centre Orchestra.

In 2021, she presented at the Michigan Music Conference as part of an MSBOA panel. She has served on the MSBOA executive board at both the district and the state levels for several years.

Felder has been the organist at St. Gabriel Parish in Ida for the last 18 years. She plays violin and viola in various community and musical theater ensembles and occasionally plays with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra.

She and her husband, Mark, have three grown children and five grandchildren.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Ann Felder named Michigan Orchestra Teacher of the Year