Kate Margrave
Kate Margrave is in her 14th year of teaching at Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs, CO and 18th year of her teaching career. At Pine Creek, she teaches marching band, concert band, symphonic band, instrumental ensemble and string orchestra. Margrave received her Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Mansfield University in Mansfield, PA and her Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting from the American Band College in Ashland, OR.
Her passion is for conducting and literature, presenting multiple clinics on the subject throughout the United States. Margrave’s enthusiasm and love for teaching music shines in her students, who work to achieve excellence through their musicality and perseverance. Her top ensemble, the Symphonic Band, has established a tradition of excellence known around the state. In March of 2016, the Symphonic Band had the honor of performing at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, IN. In 2018, the Symphonic Band was selected to perform as a featured ensemble at the CMEA State Conference. She was a 2018 Semifinalist for the Grammy Foundation Music Educator Award and was a recipient of the 2017 Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association.
Margrave lives in Colorado Springs where she enjoys the outdoors with her husband, Brian, daughter, Eva, and beagle Rosie. She is an active member of Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters Fraternity, serving as president, the Colorado Bandmasters Association, serving as 2nd Vice President, and the Colorado Music Educators Association.
The Educator of the Year Awards are presented annually to exemplary educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to preparing students for success in college and in life. These awardees model best practices in teaching or administration inside and outside of the classroom, are peer role models, and demonstrate outstanding leadership and excellence in education. Any NSHSS Educator teaching high school has the opportunity to apply.