Kentucky continues to face a teacher shortage, creating challenges for school districts across the state. The 2025 Kentucky Educator Shortage Survey noted more than 2,400 total vacancies across school districts in the Commonwealth, including 671 certified teacher vacancies. Also in the survey, 72% of districts reported an observed decrease of the number of qualified candidates applying for positions over the past two years.
As the need for qualified educators rises, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is helping close the gap by preparing the next generation of teachers, including those in music education. As EKU celebrates 120 Years of Excellence in Education in 2026, the university continues its longstanding legacy of preparing educators who serve communities across Kentucky and beyond.
“At EKU, we are committed to preparing future teachers to enter the state’s workforce and meet the needs of our communities,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “EKU has long held a reputation for excellence in teacher education, and this expands to our subject-specific teaching degrees, like music education. Our School of Music is highly renowned, representing EKU on a national stage.”
The path to EKU for Harper Grizzle, music education major from Ashland, Kentucky, began years before she enrolled.
“I attended Foster Music Camp and met Dr. Waters, Dr. Campbell and Dr. Wolf,” Grizzle said. EKU’s Foster Music Camp is the second oldest music camp in the country, welcoming middle and high school students to practice their music skills each summer. “They made me feel so at home and capable of being a music education major. It was an easy choice for me,” Grizzle continued.
EKU’s School of Music offers a Bachelor of Music degree with concentrations available in music composition, music performance, music industry and music education. The music education option leads to initial licensure as a certified educator in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and students prepare to teach music in all genres, at all levels.
Across all music degree options at EKU, students gain performance and professional experiences that shape their future careers. Music performance major Eva Cook was the first EKU student chosen to attend an American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Convention as a collegiate masterclass performer and was also the concertmaster of International 2025 Brevard Institute, an internationally recognized summer institute. Cook, along with other EKU music students, performed as the collegiate string quartet at ASTA 2024. Other music students have been selected to perform at the Michigan State University Conducting Symposium and the University of Illinois Conducting Symposium and have gained hands-on exposure at venues such as the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Grizzle was among 41 students from EKU Choirs to perform at New York’s Carnegie Hall in March.
Additionally, faculty members collaborate with graduate and undergraduate students to present mobile percussion clinics at regional schools, extending EKU’s impact in music education beyond campus.
The local, national and international recognition of opportunities provided through EKU’s School of Music helps students stand out as they enter the workforce.
After graduation, Grizzle wants to make a lasting difference in the classroom with the experiences she has gained at EKU.
“I hope to be teaching high school choir and helping students develop both their musical skills and their confidence,” Grizzle said. “I also plan to continue my education by pursuing a master’s degree in music education so I can keep growing as a teacher and musician.”
For Grizzle, music education is about more than performance.
“To me, success as a musician means continuing to grow while also making a positive impact on others through music,” she said. “It’s not just about performing well, but also about inspiring students and audiences to appreciate music in meaningful ways.”
As Kentucky works to address its teacher shortage, students like Harper Grizzle represent the future of education in the Commonwealth. EKU’s School of Music plays an important role in that effort. Through hands-on training, performance opportunities and mentorship from experienced faculty, students are equipped with the skills and confidence necessary to step into Kentucky classrooms.
By A’Mya Kendrick
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