Albuquerque Public Schools
APS Earns Statewide Music Award; Two Educators Also Honored
District's commitment to arts education recognized with top honor, alongside awards for Cat Woo and Evan Aguilar.
Albuquerque Public Schools has been recognized by the New Mexico Music Educators Association with its Award of Distinction, the organization’s highest honor for a school district’s commitment to high-quality music education. The recognition comes alongside two individual statewide awards for APS educators Cat Woo and Evan Aguilar.
Woo, a music teacher at Inez Science & Technology Magnet School, received the John Batcheller Award for Elementary Music Education, which honors excellence and leadership in general music instruction. Aguilar, director of choral and piano activities at Cibola High School, was named New and Emerging Music Educator of the Year, recognizing early-career educators who are already making a significant impact on students and programs.
The Award of Distinction reflects APS’s sustained, districtwide investment in music education. Every elementary student in APS receives year-long music instruction from certified teachers, and more than 10,000 students participate in music programs across the district. APS offers one of the most comprehensive music programs in the state, including band, choir, orchestra and guitar at all secondary schools, as well as mariachi, jazz, world drumming, steel pan, and modern music ensembles.
That commitment extends beyond coursework. APS supports music education through dedicated funding for instruments, uniforms, travel and equipment; maintains a district instrument repair facility; and invests in professional learning and performance opportunities that help students and educators thrive.
Superintendent Gabriella Durán Blakey accepted the award on behalf of the district.
“This award reflects a belief we hold firmly in APS: music is not an extra, it is essential,” she said. “It belongs to our music educators, our students, and a community that continues to support the arts. We are proud of this recognition and committed to ensuring music thrives in every APS school.”
Teacher Spotlights
Cat Woo
Woo is known for her innovative, student-centered approach to elementary music education and her leadership at the district, state and national levels. Her work integrates music with science and community engagement, while also supporting fellow educators through professional development, mentorship, and advocacy.
Evan Aguilar
Aguilar has brought creativity and collaboration to music education at Cibola High School, expanding opportunities through choral, piano, and musical theatre programs. His inventive teaching practices and partnerships have helped build a strong, inclusive culture of music-making and student leadership.
Together, the district and individual honors underscore APS’s belief that music education plays a vital role in student learning, creativity, and connection—inside classrooms and across the community.