AMEF Recognition Award

AMEF presents the Recognition Award to a person who has dedicated their life to Music Education. It is awarded yearly at Music Conference Alberta.

If you know someone in Alberta whose efforts in the area of Music Education are worthy of recognition, we encourage you to make a submission.

AMEF is dedicated to honouring Music Education excellence, and thanks everyone making a difference in their community through their efforts. An Independent Committee reviews all submissions, and the Award is given out at the yearly Music Conference Alberta Awards Banquet. All nominees will be recognized on the AMEF website.

DOWNLOAD AMEF Recognition Award nomination form

The recipient for 2011 was Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff of Edmonton

Maura Sharkey-Pryma, AMEF Board member presenting Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff with 2011 AMEF Recognition Award

Maura Sharkey-Pryma, AMEF Board member presenting
Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff with 2011 AMEF Recognition Award

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen,

My name is Maura Sharkey-Pryma, and it gives me great pride to be here tonight, at what must be the finest, most energetic music conferences in Canada. 

The Alberta Music Education Foundation or AMEF, is dedicated to honoring music education excellence in Alberta, and tonight, representing AMEF, I have been given a great honor to present the celebrated Alberta Music Education Foundation Recognition Award to a most deserving individual who has dedicated his life to music education; Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff.

I first met Dr. Ratzlaff when I was an naive 18 year-old, relatively inexperienced, bright-eyed, first-year student and aspiring vocalist at the University of Alberta trying to make my way through the rigors of university life, and balancing my time with the U of A Madrigal Singers. It was here that I heard about a man who was not only a renowned conductor and music educator, but a man who had developed legendary status among current students, alumni and colleagues. I soon found out, through his incredible devotion to music education, he had surpassed his legendary status and had developed a following of respect and admiration worldwide. 

Dr. Ratzlaff is the Music Director of Richard Eaton Singers, Professor of Choral Music at the University of Alberta, Conductor of the University of Alberta Madrigal Singers, and co-supervisor of the largest graduate program in choral conducting in Canada. He has lent his expertise in the direction of many ensembles such as Pro Coro, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and the Winnipeg Singers. He holds 2 bachelor's degrees from the University of Winnipeg, a Masters of Arts and a Doctor of Musical Arts, both from the University of Iowa. 

Dr. Ratzlaff’s achievements are numerous. Included with his countless Canadian choral awards and worldwide recognition, he was also inducted into the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame in 2001; presented with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002; and awarded the Alberta Choral Federation’s highest honour, the Richard Eaton Award of Distinction for Exemplary Service to Choral Music in Alberta. In 2003 he was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence, and in 2004 was appointed to the Order of Canada. 

As an educator, Dr. Ratzlaff is what all educators aspire to be: inspirational. He inspires his students by demanding nothing less than perfection, and achieving it through a methodology of compassion, musicality, pedagogy, and incredible insight into the human voice and choral music. 

For me, learning under Dr. Ratzlaff was simply exquisite! The most difficult music was never daunting or overwhelming; to put it simply, learning all that music under Dr. Ratzlaff’s direction was just “fun!” In the immortal words of Dr. Ratzlaff, “Keep your eyes on the conductor.” I assure you tonight Dr. Ratzlaff, all eyes are upon you, your incredible devotion to education and your numerous achievements.

Dr. Ratzlaff; a professor to some, a musician to most, a friend to many and an inspirational mentor to all. It is with deep pride, great gratitude, and my deepest admiration that I present the Alberta Music Education Foundation Recognition Award to legendary educator, and most of all, lover of music, Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff!  

Maura Sharkey-Pryma
Board of Directors, AMEF

Other nominees for 2011 were Linda Kundert-Stoll of Calgary; Heather Meyers of Edmonton; and Maura Sharkey-Pryma [Maura withdrew her name due to her current position on the AMEF Board of Directors] of Edmonton. An independent committee chose the winner by reviewing all nominations and separately casting their votes.

Past Recipients

Pat Frehlich
Nathene Arthur
Monica Baczuk
Kim Mattice-Wanat
Dale S. Jackson