Cherry Hayes

Educator ~ Director ~ Adjudicator


Cherry has literally taught music to thousands of young people. She has taught all grade levels, elementary through high school. Cherry has developed highly successful choral programs, attracting over 15% of the student body in choir. Her choirs consistently received superior ratings and first place honors at any festival they attended. They have performed in Carnegie Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Honolulu Gateway Music Festival, and the Abbotsford International Music Festival. Her groups twice performed  aboard a Carnival cruise ship bound for the Bahamas, each time earning gold medals for superior performances.

Cherry received a Bachelor of Arts degree in classical vocal performance and music education from California State University, Sacramento, and a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in the Arts from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cherry holds a lifetime California teaching credential and was a public school educator for thirty-seven years before retiring in 2007. Since retirement, Cherry continues a variety of music activities. She is Director of Music at Calvary Bible Church, which includes directing the adult choir and leading worship. She teaches voice and piano from her Grass Valley home and also enjoys judging choral festivals for California Music Educators Association and Music in the Parks.

Cherry has been the recipient of numerous awards including Pleasant Ridge District Teacher of the Year, the May Martin Goyne Educator of the Arts award, Bear River High School's Teachers Who Make a Difference, California Music Educators Association Capitol Section Choral Music Educator's Award and has been listed numerous times in Who's Who Among America's Teachers and Who's Who Among American Women.

Cherry is excited to once again be teaching at Sierra Mountain Music Camp. She directed the junior boys in 1998, 1999, and 2000. She directed the junior boys in 1998, 1999, and 2000, and returned to camp in 2011 to share her passion for music with the Junior Girls!