Two outstanding PYLUSD arts educators to be honored at annual OCMAA awards ceremony

The Orange County Music and Arts Administrators recently announced the 2022 Orange County Outstanding Arts Educators and the 2022 Orange County Music and Arts Award Recipients. Two Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) educators were selected for this distinguished honor! Congratulations to Esperanza High School Principal Jeff Giles for receiving the Arts Administrator Award and Music Teacher Ray Llewellyn for receiving the Elementary Instrumental Music Award.

More than two dozen teachers and administrators who oversee instrumental, vocal, theater, dance, and visual arts programs will be honored during an upcoming ceremony for making a difference in the lives of Orange County students through arts education.

At Esperanza High School, Principal Giles oversees many robust music programs including the Esperanza Entertainment Unit, Choral Music, Orchestra, Aztec Theatre Company, and Visual Arts. Mr. Llewellyn currently teaches instrumental music at Bryant Ranch, Golden, Morse, and Topaz elementary schools as well as Travis Ranch School. This marks Principal Giles’ first year serving as a principal in PYLUSD and Mr. Llewellyn’s 23rd year teaching music.

The virtual Orange County Music and Arts Administrators (OCMAA) Awards will take place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 at the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. Educators, students, and others who support the arts will be treated to a display of student visual art from the countywide OCArts4All Virtual Art Showcase, award presentations by district and arts organization leaders, and student performances.

Founded by the Orange County Department of Education, the Orange County Music and Arts Administrators is an active coalition of school districts, community arts organizations, parents, and business leaders who work collaboratively to ensure a high quality inclusive, accessible, and equitable arts education for every student in the county.