OCOEE, Fla. – A Central Florida band director is making waves in his community as he becomes a finalist for a prestigious Grammy award.
Bernie Hendricks Jr., the band director at Ocoee High School, is one of 10 finalists for the Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award.
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Hendricks has been a dedicated music educator for 28 years, starting his career at Robinswood Middle School before founding the Ocoee High School band two decades ago. His passion for teaching and music is evident in his interactions with students.
“We really just enjoy being here. Just being around the kids. They keep me young,” Hendricks shared.
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His teaching philosophy is encapsulated in the five words displayed above the band room doors: “It can always be better.”
“I see that every day and I feel like what can I do to make them, the young people, feel like there’s always more to see and more to do and more to explore in life,” Hendricks said.
Hendricks encourages his students to strive for continuous improvement and exploration.
“Just the way that Mr. Hendricks was so animated and feeling the music and the vibe of how the music was flowing between everybody and just seeing him I wanted to see myself in his position,” said Jonathan Pierre Louis, a senior at Ocoee High School, who has been inspired by Hendricks since his freshman year.
When asked to describe Hendricks’ nomination he said the students were all excited and how it feels surreal for them to know someone famous.
While Hendricks is thrilled about the Grammy nomination, he hopes it will also raise awareness about the importance of creative outlets in schools. “He wants us to get it right, he wants us to be the best we can be because he wants the best for us and he’s passionate about what he does,” Jonathan added.
The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education.
As a finalist he will receive $1,000 and Ocoee High School will also be given $1,000.
The Grammy Awards will be broadcast on CBS Sunday, Feb. 2 at 8 p.m.
Hendricks isn’t the only Central Florida educator who’s received Grammy recognition. Dr. Jeffery Redding won the honor in 2019 when he was director of choral activities at West Orange High School in Winter Garden.
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