SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. The Iowa High School Music Association proudly celebrates Dr. Michael Golemo, Director of Bands at Iowa State University, on being named the 2026 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National Outstanding Music Educator Award recipient. Dr. Golemo was recognized during the NFHS Summer Meeting in Salt Lake City, where leaders from across the nation gathered to honor individuals whose careers have transformed education through athletics and performing arts.
The NFHS National Outstanding Music Educator Award is among the highest distinctions in secondary school music education. Dr. Golemo is one of just 13 national leaders recognized with an NFHS Citation in 2026 and the only recipient honored specifically for music education. The award recognizes a lifetime of service to students, educators, state associations, and the advancement of educational opportunities through music.
For more than 40 years, Dr. Golemo has been one of the most influential figures in music education in Iowa and throughout the United States. Since becoming Director of Bands at Iowa State University in 1999, he has inspired thousands of students through his work conducting the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band while preparing future music educators and conductors. In 2021, Iowa State University recognized his remarkable contributions by naming him a University Professor, one of the institution’s highest faculty honors.
“Dr. Golemo’s impact on music education in Iowa and across the nation is extraordinary,” said Thad K. Driskell, Executive Director of the Iowa High School Music Association. “He has shaped generations of students, mentored countless educators, and consistently elevated the standard for excellence in our profession. This recognition reflects his lifelong commitment to students, teachers, and the transformative power of music in schools and communities.”
Dr. Golemo’s influence reaches far beyond the concert stage. From 2005 through 2017, he served as Chair of the Department of Music & Theatre at Iowa State University, providing leadership for 45 faculty members while strengthening programs that combine artistic excellence with broad educational access. Prior to joining Iowa State, he spent 15 years as Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Akron, where he developed a student-centered approach to teaching and conducting that has become the hallmark of his distinguished career.
Under Dr. Golemo’s leadership, the Iowa State University band program has flourished, serving more than 700 student musicians annually. The Wind Ensemble has earned national recognition through performances at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference and prestigious conferences of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) and the National Band Association (NBA). His ensembles are respected for their artistry, innovation, and commitment to musical excellence.
While his accomplishments as a conductor are significant, Dr. Golemo’s greatest legacy is found in the people he has influenced. His former students serve as band directors, university faculty members, conductors, performers, and arts leaders throughout Iowa and across the nation. His mentorship has strengthened countless school music programs, creating opportunities for generations of young musicians to discover confidence, discipline, creativity, and belonging through music.
The Iowa High School Music Association has been especially fortunate to benefit from Dr. Golemo’s unwavering support. Throughout his career, he has championed All-State, festival programming, professional development, adjudication, and leadership initiatives that have strengthened music education across Iowa. His partnership with IHSMA has helped ensure that students from communities of every size have access to meaningful musical experiences that inspire artistic growth and lifelong appreciation for music.
Dr. Golemo’s recognition serves as a reminder that outstanding music educators change lives every day. Their influence extends far beyond rehearsals and performances by developing leadership, perseverance, collaboration, and excellence in the students they serve. His career exemplifies the profound impact a dedicated educator can have on individuals, schools, communities, and an entire profession.
The Iowa High School Music Association extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Michael Golemo on this well-deserved national honor. Iowa’s music education community proudly celebrates this remarkable achievement and thanks him for a lifetime of leadership, service, and an enduring commitment to enriching the lives of students through music.