AzACDA Lifetime Achievement Award
The AzACDA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a retired or soon-to-retire choral director who has made a lasting impact on our choral community—whether in schools, churches, or local organizations. This award honors the dedication, leadership, and influential contributions of those who have shaped and inspired generations of musicians. Nominations must come from individuals who have previously been involved with or contributed to AzACDA.
At our 2021 Summer Conference, Arizona ACDA presented its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Edith Copley. J. Edmund Hughes, a former AzACDA President and a lifelong friend and colleague of Copley, presented the award.
The 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was Cris Evans, the 2023 recipient was Darin Shryock, the 2024 recipient was Dr. Craig Peterson, and the 2025 recipient was Dr. Julian Ackerley.
AzACDA Director of the Year Award
The AzACDA Director of the Year Award honors a dedicated choral director who has made a significant impact on our community—be it in schools, churches, or local organizations. This award recognizes the hard work, leadership, and inspiring influence of directors who elevate choral music and foster growth within our choral programs.
Each year from 2000 to the present AzACDA has recognized a choral director in Arizona who provided outstanding contributions to choral music in our state. The award has alternately been called the Outstanding Choral Educator, the Outstanding Choral Director, and the Choral Director of the Year, but regardless of the name, it has been awarded to a director who has exemplified distinguished service to choral music, to singers, and to the art of choral singing. Nominations must come from active members of AzACDA to be considered.
Recipients (if you can supply any missing names, please contact us):
2025 – Joseph Johnston
2024 – Josh Palkki
2023 – Patricia Ubrig
2022 – Aimee Stewart
2020 – Ryan Holder
2019 – Marcela Molina
2018 – Ron Carpenter
2017 – Elizabeth Schauer
2016 – Brook Larson
2015 – Bartlett Evans
2014 – Greg Hebert
2013 – Bruce Chamberlain
2012 – Julian Ackerley
2007 – Edith Copley
2006 – David Lunt
2004 – David Perry
2002 – J. Edmund Hughes
2001 – Jean Perry
2000 – Rita Scholz
