Hartt alumnus Emmett Drake ’08 recently received a major national award, as the 2024–25 Performing Arts Educator of the Year Award winner for Connecticut. The accolade was named by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Drake was one of the 25 Outstanding Music Educator award recipients.
In a recent news article, the federation was quoted as stating that Drake is a “visionary orchestra director” who is “known for his transformative impact on music education.” Additionally, the federation cited Drake as a “skilled conductor, educator, and composer.”
Drake ’08 graduated from The Hartt School with a degree in music composition.
About Emmett Drake:
Emmett Drake is currently the Director of Orchestras at Hall and Conard High Schools in West Hartford, Conn., as well as the Director of Suzuki Orchestras and Department Chair of Large Ensembles at The Hartt School Community Division at the University of Hartford.
Mr. Drake has had many engagements as a guest conductor/clinician. His recent appearances include the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (Conn.), Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra (Conn.), the Suzuki Youth Orchestra of the Americas (Minn.), TMEA Region 2 Orchestra (Texas), Broward County All County Gold Orchestra (Fla.), the Fairfield County String Festival (Conn.), CMEA Eastern and Southern Regional Festivals (Conn.), Massachusetts Western District Orchestra Festival (Mass.) and the Westchester All County Youth Orchestra (N.Y.).
As a composer, Emmett has written many compositions and arrangements for all levels, and his works are frequently performed by student groups from around the country.
He lives in West Hartford, Conn., with his wife, daughter, and yellow lab.