Audrey Reese, of Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Atlanta, was one of five music teachers nationwide who were recently given the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation Award at a ceremony at Carnegie Hall.

The award also carries a $10,000 prize.

The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, is a non-profit organization that supports music education in public schools across the country.

The award recognizes music teachers who best emulate the personal characteristics and dedication of “Mr. Holland,” portrayed by Richard Dreyfuss 1995 movie “Mr. Holland's Opus.”

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Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney — pictured during a hearing Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 — has cleared the way for Georgia's State Election Board to obtain Fulton ballots and other documents from the 2020 election. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC