Prelude Award Nominations

Nominee Criteria:

  • Successful teaching and performance in choral music in Kansas

  • Professional demeanor in interactions with colleagues

  • Potential as an exemplary professional with an extended career in choral music

  • A spirit of service through active participation and involvement in KCDA and/or KMEA 

Selection Procedure:

  • Nominations will be solicited from the general membership of KCDA

  • Nominees must be current members of KCDA in their third, fourth, or fifth year of experience as a choral director, currently teaching in the state of Kansas 

  • Nominations must include biographical information, a letter of nomination from a current member of KCDA, and a letter of support from an administrator, supervisor, or mentor.

  • The KCDA Executive Board will serve as the selection committee for reviewing nominations and voting to select a recipient.

  • Nominations may be resubmitted anytime during the eligibility period (three to five years of experience) but are not automatically carried forward for future consideration.​​

The Prelude Award is presented at the Kansas Choral Directors Association Summer Convention in Topeka, Kansas.

Drew Villaca, Award Winner 2026

Drew Villaca is currently the vocal music teacher at Mill Creek Middle School in Lenexa, Kansas, where he recently completed his third-year teaching 6-8th grade choir and as head director of the musical theatre program. A native of Baldwin City, Kansas, Drew holds his Bachelor of Music Education from Emporia State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Music Education at the University of Kansas. In his time at ESU, Drew was an extremely active member of the choir and opera programs and served as A Cappella Choir President. He also served for two years as the KS Collegiate NAfME State President and was a member of ESU’s Associated Student Government. In addition to studying music education, Drew earned a political science minor while at ESU and completed an internship in the KS Legislature in 2022. He has served KCDA as a member of the Middle Level Treble Honor Choir Committee and is an active member of ACDA and NAfME. He is currently a member of the William Baker Festival Singers of Kansas City. Drew currently makes his home in Lenexa, KS, alongside his wife, Ashlynne (also a choral director), and their son, Alexander.

Submit a Nomination

Previous Award Winners

2026 - Drew Villaca

2025 - Kyler Comley

2024 - Abbi Faflick

2023 - Savannah Zielinski

2022 - Eileen Price

2021 - Logan Caywood

2020 - Karis Nichols

2019 - Julia Miller 

2018 - Shawn Gamache

2017 - Darren Enns

2016 - Tiffani N. Thompson 

2015 - Eli Jones

2014 - Jon Duncan

2013 - not awarded

2012 - not awarded

2011 - Alex Underwood

2010 - Janie Brokenicky