Orchestra director Rachel Waddell named 2026 GRAMMY Music Educator semifinalist

Following reviews by a panel of national music educators, Dr. Rachel Waddell, Colorado State University Director of Orchestras, was named one of twenty-five semifinalists for the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum’s Music Educator Award. Dr. Waddell was chosen from a national pool of 2,000 initial nominations and is the only semifinalist from the state of Colorado.

The UCA welcomes the return of the Odyssiad® piano festival and competition

From Van Cliburn stars to Juilliard and CSU professors to young pianists from across the globe, the one-of-a-kind Odyssiad® piano competition and festival returns to Colorado State University this summer. Since 2011, the International Keyboard Odyssiad® and Festival, U.S.A. has brought gifted pianists in riveting evening performances by professional guest artists, along with competitive “Olympic-style competitions for pianists ages 11-35, to the campus and city.