California Music Educators Association
Northern Section
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Where words fail, music speaks. - Hans Christian Anderson
2025 CMEA-NS Educator of the Year,
Austin King
Austin King is the music teacher at Marsh Junior High School in Chico, California where he teaches beginning band, concert band, chorus, ukulele, guitar, jazz band and beginning drumming. Austin is also an associate faculty member at Butte Community College where he teaches private percussion lessons. Throughout his career, beginning in 2010, Austin has also taught high school band, high school jazz band, piano, and elementary general music.
Austin obtained his Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of California Santa Cruz, where he also earned his social studies teaching credential and Master of Arts in Education. Austin then went to the Los Angeles Music Academy, where he studied drums and percussion under Gary Ferguson. Subsequently, Austin studied music education at California State University Chico, where he studied conducting with Dr. Royce Tevis and percussion with Dan Kinkle. Austin recently received his Master’s Degree in Music Education through American Band College of Central Washington University.
When he is not working, Austin enjoys playing cribbage with his wife Suzanne, golf with his son William, and “Dada-Bear” with his son Thomas.
Austin King
Austin King is the music teacher at Marsh Junior High School in Chico, California where he teaches beginning band, concert band, chorus, ukulele, guitar, jazz band and beginning drumming. Austin is also an associate faculty member at Butte Community College where he teaches private percussion lessons. Throughout his career, beginning in 2010, Austin has also taught high school band, high school jazz band, piano, and elementary general music.
Austin obtained his Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of California Santa Cruz, where he also earned his social studies teaching credential and Master of Arts in Education. Austin then went to the Los Angeles Music Academy, where he studied drums and percussion under Gary Ferguson. Subsequently, Austin studied music education at California State University Chico, where he studied conducting with Dr. Royce Tevis and percussion with Dan Kinkle. Austin recently received his Master’s Degree in Music Education through American Band College of Central Washington University.
When he is not working, Austin enjoys playing cribbage with his wife Suzanne, golf with his son William, and “Dada-Bear” with his son Thomas.
Past Recipients of CMEA-NS educator of the year.
Austin King. 2025
Mary Clligan, 2024
Dr. Jane Brown, 2023
Todd Filpula, 2022
Katherine Conway, 2021
Mitch Bahr, 2020
Dean Nordby, 2019
Ted Dykstra, 2018
Gavin Spencer, 2017
Deb Wiseman, 2016
Michael Phenicie, 2015
Randy Humphreys, 2014
Karen Clark, 2013
Marsha Roby, 2012
David Green, 2011
Ronald Wolcott, 2010
Karol Forrest, 2009
Deborah Reinhardt, 2008
Nick Biondo, 2007
Thomas Aiken, 2006
Sal D'acquisto, 2005
Cydney Dixon, 2004
Brian McKee, 2003
Deborah Divine, 2002
Dan Neece, 2001
Helen Stephenson, 2000
Mary Clligan, 2024
Dr. Jane Brown, 2023
Todd Filpula, 2022
Katherine Conway, 2021
Mitch Bahr, 2020
Dean Nordby, 2019
Ted Dykstra, 2018
Gavin Spencer, 2017
Deb Wiseman, 2016
Michael Phenicie, 2015
Randy Humphreys, 2014
Karen Clark, 2013
Marsha Roby, 2012
David Green, 2011
Ronald Wolcott, 2010
Karol Forrest, 2009
Deborah Reinhardt, 2008
Nick Biondo, 2007
Thomas Aiken, 2006
Sal D'acquisto, 2005
Cydney Dixon, 2004
Brian McKee, 2003
Deborah Divine, 2002
Dan Neece, 2001
Helen Stephenson, 2000