VENTURA : Teacher Nominated for Bravo Award

Gregg Hutchison, a music teacher at Anacapa Middle School in Ventura, has been nominated for the prestigious Bravo Award, given annually to outstanding arts teachers by the Los Angeles Music Center’s education division.

The annual award honors two Southern California teachers, one for specialized instruction and the other for incorporating art in the teaching of other subjects, said Lynda Jenner, project director for the award. “It is like the Oscar for teachers,” she said.

Hutchison is one of 58 nominees for the award this year, officials said. The winners will be announced at a March 15 reception at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.

“He is the most exceptional music teacher I have ever worked with,” said Anacapa Principal Charlotte McElroy, who nominated Hutchison.

The 11-year-old award grew out of the Education Guild, a group of volunteers for the education division of the Music Center.

On Wednesday, 32-year-old Canyon Country resident called his nomination “an honor and kind of a surprise.”

Hutchison earned his bachelor’s degree in musical performance and a master’s degree in educational administration, both from Cal State Northridge.

Since joining the teaching staff at Anacapa Middle School, Hutchison has increased music courses from five to nine and now teaches more than 350 students in three grades.