Bill Podolski, H-B Woodlawn's choral director, is one of 25 semifinalists for the 2027 Grammy Music Educator Award, a year after he made the final 10.

Bill Podolski, director of choral activities at the H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program, is one of 25 semifinalists nationwide for the 2027 Grammy Music Educator Award. Arlington Public Schools announced the honor.

It is his second year in a row as a semifinalist. For the 2026 award, he went on to become one of 10 finalists nationwide, the school system said.

The Recording Academy and the Grammy Museum present the award. It recognizes music teachers who have made a lasting impact on their students and on music education.

What the award brings

The Grammy Museum’s award page sets out what each stage is worth:

  • Semifinalists: a $500 honorarium
  • Finalists: a $1,000 honorarium
  • The winner: a $10,000 honorarium, a custom award, and a trip to Los Angeles to receive it during Grammy Week

Every honorarium comes with a matching grant to the teacher’s school. That means Podolski’s semifinal place already brings a grant to H-B Woodlawn’s music program, under the museum’s rules.

The award is open to full-time music teachers at public and private schools across the U.S., from kindergarten through college.

What it means for you

Podolski’s students have a concert next week. They perform their Fall Chorus Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, in the Heights Auditorium, according to the school system. The Heights building is at 1601 Wilson Blvd. in Rosslyn, and it houses H-B Woodlawn.

H-B Woodlawn is a countywide option program in Arlington Public Schools for grades 6 through 12. How the admission lottery works, with the 2027-28 dates, is on our H-B Woodlawn school page, and every Arlington public school is in our public schools guide.