Accolades add up for Sierra Vista teacher

Sierra Vista Middle School music teacher Henry Miller’s passion for students has married well with Irvine’s emphasis on arts education, by design. After researching many districts when he began his career 36 years ago, he chose Irvine. “I wanted a community that supported the arts,” Miller says. “Irvine was the one that specifically supported music and arts education. I knew it would be a place I could stay my entire career.”

That career has been full of accolades, and Miller added another award to his resume this spring when he received his second Country Music Association (CMA) Music Teacher of Excellence award. Each year, the CMA Foundation honors 30 teachers across the nation who “use the power of music to transform lives.” Miller took home the same award in 2019 and was a finalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award.

By seeking to ensure all students have equitable access to music, the foundation’s mission directly aligns with both Miller and Irvine’s ethos. Miller plans to use the $5,000 monetary award to enhance music education at Sierra Vista and purchase new musical scores.

As director of instrumental music, Miller oversees three orchestras, three concert bands and a jazz band. Each one stages three performances per year, featuring three to five songs. “Do the math,” he says. “That’s a lot of different pieces. I could be lazy and play the same music on a three-year cycle, but that doesn’t challenge me as an educator or musician. I need to discover new literature to play with my students.”

Dedication on display

Miller is also dedicated to ensuring every student has access to high-quality instruments. “I never turn down a student who wants to play.”

That dedication doesn’t happen without institutional support and philanthropy. Irvine Company’s Excellence in Education and Enrichment Fund has provided nearly $50 million over the past 20 years to support arts and music education. Miller also gives credit to the district, his coworkers and administrators. “One thing that makes a great administrator is, when presented with an idea, they say either ‘yes’ or ‘maybe.’ I’m fortunate that our administrators share that philosophy,” he says.

That’s led Irvine Public Schools Foundation to support a wide range of projects from students playing for special needs children to senior centers. “The impact of that program is immeasurable for both sides,” Miller says.

As one of three California teachers to receive this year’s award, Miller doesn’t measure success by his students’ accolades. Yes, some have gone on to Juilliard or become professional musicians, conductors and composers. But for Miller, success is defined by the average student who doesn’t give up.

“Music is a place that welcomes everybody,” he says. “I don’t believe in talent. I only believe in coming in and doing your best. The only way to fail in music is by stopping. There’s no failure outside of that.