One of the composers of "The Decorah Bald Eagle Concerto" has been nominated for a Grammy Award for her work

A San Diego area educator is one of 25 teachers in the nation named as a semifinalist for the 2016 Music Educator Award by The Recording Academy and Grammy Foundation.  The Music Educator Award was created in 2013 as part of the Grammy in the Schools program.  Ulli Reiner is the orchestra director for the Poway Unified School District in southern California. 

Reiner told the San Diego Union Tribune that one of her proudest achievements was collaborating with composer Madelyn Byrne on the "Decorah Bald Eagle Violin Concerto."  The orchestral work premiered in May at Palomar College.  Reiner is the chief violinist for the orchestra.

A devoted birdlover and rescuer since the age of 6, Reiner worked for months with Byrne to develop the piece, which was inspired by the Decorah bald eagles, which she follows on UStream. 

"It was a dream come true to have a piece representing my passion for animals that could be used to teach children that all life matters," she told the newspaper.

For more information, visit http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/oct/08/north-county-music-teachers-up-for-a-grammy/#sthash.l2QI1ExF.dpuf