MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — A music teacher in Central Illinois is up for a nationwide nomination for his talents in music and teaching.

Mattoon’s Christopher Keniley is officially a quarter finalist for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award. He took over leadership of the Sullivan band program after tragedy struck last year and kept the music steady through sorrow.

“Really just beyond words,” Keniley said. “That’s quite an honor just to be considered for that.”

It’s said that music endures, and after a tragedy, Christopher Keniley had made sure that continued in Sullivan.

“We had to face a lot of hardships. I mean, the passing of the late Aaron Jones like that, that was harsh,” Keniley added. “I mean, that was for the entire community.”

In August, the former band director, 26-year-old Aaron Jones, died in a car crash.

“That would have been the forever director,” Keniley said. “Just even still thinking back at that, it’s just it’s wild.”

It was Keniley who helped stabilize the program this past year as the interim band director for grades 6-12.

“To find different ways to embrace music and the culture of music and get out there in the community and say, hey, like we’re going to honor him,” Keniley added.

And now, he’s being recognized for his leadership. He’s one of 200 teachers from 180 cities around the country nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award. And his students had one big question upon learning about the nomination.

“Their reaction was like, ‘Wait, so if you win, you get to meet Taylor Swift?'” Keniley said.

For the interim educator who kept the music playing, it’s an honor worthy of his impact.

“Sullivan has been through a lot this past year, and so it’s just humbling and exciting to see that what I have done this past year has made a huge difference,” Keniley said.

As the school year gets closer to its end, so does Christopher’s time as interim band director. But it’s his hope to leave a gift as he leaves. The winner of the Grammy Educator Award will also secure a grant for their school. The semifinalists get announced in September.