New Haven school music teacher wins prestigious Yale award

John C. Daniels School music teacher Carmalyn “Carmy” Buleje Cook is to receive the Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award at the Yale Symposium on Music in Schools.


Cook will receive the award at an event beginning at 6 p.m. June 10 in the Yale Commons.

Cook, a general music teacher, is among 50 teachers from around the nation being honored for outstanding accomplishments teaching music in public schools, according to a statement. She was chosen from 446 candidates in 46 states and the District of Columbia. She has been a New Haven Public Schools teacher for 21 years, the statement said.

“Carmy has been an advocate for students, instilling music into the curriculum,” Daniels Principal Gina Wells said in the statement. “She always has a smile on her face and works tirelessly to instill a love of music in her students and all of those she engages.”

Ellen Maust, New Haven Public Schools Facilitator of Music, said in the statement, “Carmy is always available to help her music department colleagues. She serves as a mentor for new music teachers across the district, takes a leadership role in district initiatives and is always available to volunteer her skills as an accompanist for student soloists and choirs from all our schools. The district music teachers recognize Carmy as an exemplary music educator.”

The Yale Symposium on Music in Schools, supported by the Yale College Class of 1957, is held once every two years at the Yale School of Music as part of its Music in Schools Initiative. Members of the Yale College Class of 1957 made a 50th reunion gift to the School of Music to improve the quality of public education, the statement said.

“Music educators impart the gift of music to students across this nation, and their efforts bring hope and dignity to our society,” Yale School of Music Dean Robert Blocker said, also in the statement. “The symposium is an occasion for us to honor these teachers and to thank them for enriching our lives, and for us in turn to enrich theirs.”

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.