In honor of National Arts in Education Week, A&E would like to introduce the 2017 St. Louis Arts Awards Educator of the Year Harvey Lockhart!

Harvey Lockhart has been an arts educator for over a decade and is currently the band director at Riverview Gardens High School and the performing arts coordinator for the Riverview Gardens School District. Since 2010, Lockhart has rebuilt the District’s music program into one of the best in North St. Louis. Lockhart revitalized the band program from 10 students to 60; re-established concert, marching and jazz bands; and built an inventory of more than 80 new and used instruments. In 2015, Lockhart envisioned creating a community jazz big band for North County students and other underserved districts to serve and support talented high school musicians after the tragic events in Ferguson. With the help of jazz pianist Peter Martin and The Sheldon Arts Foundation, the North County Big Band (NCBB) was formed. Now in its second year, this collaborative big band is made up of some of the most talented and dedicated students from several St. Louis area high schools, including Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, Hazelwood Central High School, Normandy High School, Riverview Gardens High School and University City High School. Students rehearse on weekday evenings at The Sheldon’s concert hall with coaching provided by leading educators and musicians including Lockhart. Mr. Lockhart is committed to developing strong and intellectual young musicians and strives to equip the NCBB students with the necessary tools and experiences that will motivate them to be successful. Through Lockhart’s leadership, teaching ability and hard work, the North County Big Band has quickly become a positive factor in the lives of the students and community.

For more information about the 2017 St. Louis Arts Awards visit http://bit.ly/2cGm6Yj