St. Bernard School music director quarterfinalist for national Grammy award

Saint Bernard School Music Director Anne "Dr. T" Tortora has a magical quality about her that inspires and tends to attract a following, according to Saint Bernard Head of School Don Macrino. "She's not unlike the pied piper … she gets people to follow her," Macrino said. "We use the term passion loosely, but she really has it." The Recording Academy and Grammy Museum recebtkt announced that Tortora was named a quarterfinalist for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award. The award recognizes educators — kindergarten through college and public and private schools — who have made a "significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools." Tortora teaches band and choral and organizes a school musical and dramatic production at Saint Bernard each year. She can often be found at the school after hours and on weekends, especially when there is a production in the works. Her husband Michael is often among the crew of volunteers working behind the scenes. "She's the engine, the inspiration. She throws herself into whatever it is she is working on. You can see it in the quality of her productions. And it carries over with the kids. Once they fall under her spell, that's it," Macrino said. Tortora is among 200 quarterfinalists selected from more than 2,000 nominees across the country for the award. Semifinalists will be announced in September. The final recipient of the 2026 Music Educator Award will be honored during Grammy Week 2026, days ahead of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. "'It is an honor to be nominated' might sound cliché, but in my heart, I know it is because of the musicians I work with every day," Tortora said. "Without them, my room would be filled with empty chairs, pieces of wood, brass, and some paper. It is an honor to create music with my Saints and to witness their 'a-ha!' moments." Tortora is in her 34th year as a music educator and has taught students from developmental kindergarten through doctoral studies. She has served as the director of music at Saint Bernard for 11 years over the course of three separate stints at the school. Tortora earned her undergraduate degrees from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Music Education with a conducting focus from The Hartt School — University of Hartford. She went on to earn a doctoral degree in education from Creighton University. Tortora has served as lecturer at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. While there, she directed its wind and jazz ensembles while establishing its chamber orchestra. The ultimate recipient of the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 2026 Grammys. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants. g.smith@theday.com