The Heart of the School: Teacher Appreciation and the 2025 Spark Award with Amanda Cornet

In this heartfelt episode, Brian and Chris celebrate the "Heart of the School"—the teachers. The conversation kicks off with a humorous and nostalgic look at Teacher Appreciation Week (featuring the legendary "Omelet Guy" and "Pasta Guy") before transitioning into a high-level discussion on the impact of mentorship. The hosts are joined by the first-ever Spark Award recipient, Amanda Cornet, who shares her journey from a pre-med hopeful to a community-driven orchestra director. The episode concludes with Brian and Chris sharing intimate stories of the teachers who didn't just teach them notes, but unlocked their musical souls and prepared them for the "real world." The 2026 Spark Award (presented by Alfred Music and MakeMusic) nominations will open on 4/20/26. Learn more and nominate a deserving teacher at makemusic.com/spark!