Platteville Middle School music teacher Marcia Russell (left) has been named the 2016 Outstanding Middle Level Choral Director by the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association. 

The award was presented at Lawrence University in Appleton Jan. 16.

Russell has taught in the Platteville School District for 19 years, seven at Platteville High School and 12 at Platteville Middle School. Russell holds degrees from Lawrence University and Kent State University. She is choral chair for the Wisconsin Music Educators Association; coordinator for WSMA Middle Level Honors; a staff member for the 2014 ACDA honor choirs in Salt Lake City; a conductor with the Madison Youth Choirs; and a WSMA adjudicator. She also served as a conductor with the Platteville Children’s Choirs for many years.

PHS alumnus Jonathan Turba (right), Iola–Scandinavia music teacher, was named the WCDA 2016 Outstanding Young Choral Director. Turba has grown the programs at Iola-Scandinavia by promoting music travel, starting an annual musical, and challenging his students to discover the ‘why’ in music. He is a WSMA High School State Honors accompanist and the technology chair for the WCDA. 

Russell and Turba nominated for the award by Platteville High School vocal music teacher Amelia Armstrong.