Nickels-Hircock named NM Music Educator of the Year

FARMINGTON, NM — Virginia Nickels-Hircock, director of choral
activities for Piedra Vista High School, was named the 2010 Music
Educator of the Year by t4he New Mexico Music Educators
Association.

“I was stunned, elated and humbled to find out I had won this
award,” Nickels-Hircock said. “I know many of the past recipients
of this award, and to know that my peers nominated and voted for me
is an enormous honor.”

The award will be presented to Nickels-Hircock at the All-State
Music Convention held in Albuquerque in January.

The convention is a gathering place for music students from
across New Mexico to practice and perform together in choirs, bands
and orchestras.

“Virginia is extremely dedicated to the quality and character of
the PV Choir,” said Daniel Fear, district president of the
Northwest New Mexico Music Educators Association. “She sets a very
high expectation of musicality and workmanship from the students.”

Fear said Nickels-Hircock has the personality to persevere
through every challenge, and she brings that personality to the
students, helping them achieve the standards they have set.

Her rehearsals are very intense, Fear said, and she has a
no-nonsense way of presenting ideas of improvement, as well as
acknowledging dedicated work.