Rebecca Bonam is our GCMTA 2026 Teacher of the Year. 

These accomplishments were included in the nomination forms which were submitted to the  GCMTA officers for consideration: 

“Rebecca’s students have been scholarship winners at the local, state and national level. Many  of her students have pursued degrees in music and have become successful piano teachers. In  addition to her outstanding teaching, Rebecca is a prolific composer and arranger of published  works for voice, keyboard and other instruments that encompass a variety of levels. Many of  

her works are included in the NFMC Festival Bulletin in the Sacred Piano Music category. Her  compositions are in widespread use by church musicians and are often performed in fine arts  festivals.  

She has also established the Technithon, a competition in which students compete for prizes  based on their technical proficiency, and the Hymnfest, another competition which promotes  hymn playing.  

As a highly respected teacher, Rebecca is in demand as an adjudicator for festivals and  competitions. She graciously shares expertise as a teacher and a composer by presenting  programs to local associations.  

Rebecca has served as president of the West Gwinnett Senior Music Club and Chair of the  West Gwinnett Federated Music Festival, which is an event sponsored by GCMTA from 2019- present.” 

Several of Rebecca’s former students and colleagues praised her dedication, expertise and  passion and call her a master teacher. More than that, they say she is kind, generous,  encouraging and a true inspiration to her students.  

With such a highly esteemed and lauded nominee, the officers were unanimous in their  decision to choose Rebecca Bonam as Teacher of the Year! 

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As Becky reflected on receiving the award, she wanted to recognize those who were so  instrumental in her musical journey: 

“…I feel that I must recognize my childhood piano teachers – Nell Mooney (who taught me the  “Every Good Boy” system of learning the notes but was more instrumental in training my ear  which has turned out to be a MAJOR requirement in what I believe to be God’s plan for me.)  Then there was Gladys Legate (Who evidently recognized “something” in me – talent maybe?)  Anyway, she introduced me to the major classics and got me started in Guild auditions and  other areas of performing. Ultimately, I have to recognize Alice Gingery who put up with me and  my immaturity and taught me as I pursued my 2 degrees in Piano Performance. She also  volunteered me again and again (and again) for various faculty recitals. Eventually, I asked her  to stop doing that but I know that those added performances only strengthened my own  teaching abilities as I have had many advanced students; and I know that I could not have  taught them as effectively without the experience of having studied and performed these  beautiful major works. It also has enhanced my teaching with younger students to start them  out – right from the “get-go” – on playing the piano correctly. 

A few of you referenced the Technithon and Hymnfest that is sponsored by Berean Baptist  Music Academy where I teach. It is true that I designed it but would never have even started  such an undertaking had it not been for our former music director, Rob Finch, who asked me to  design a festival event that our academy would sponsor. I did NOT want another “play 2  contrasting pieces from memory” thing. So I decided on something that was rarely covered  and I kept the focus on scales, cadences, and arpeggios. To make it more fun, we decided to 

make it a competition with cash awards and not specify to the winners how we hoped they  would spend their money! (I can really say that my students are much stronger in every area of  their music study as a result of a greater emphasis on these technical forms.) Rob liked the  idea but wanted an additional event that reflected the actual ministry of our academy – enter  the Hymnfest (and yes – 2 hymn arrangements from memory! There was our 2-piece thing after  all!!!) 

I know this is a lengthy email but I do also want to mention a few others – my wonderful  parents, Claud and Viola Bonam who gave me piano lessons (originally against my will because  I didn’t think I could do it) from the time I was 6 years old and always instilled in me to glorify  God with my life and abilities, my brother Claud Jr, who was so instrumental in my growth in  gospel music, Dr. Gail Gingery, who further instilled in me the importance of expressing the  mood of the text as I played for his choir at BJU for many years, and Dr. Dwight Gustafson,  who taught me composition and also gave opportunities to compose the musical score for a  number of major projects and performances while I was at BJU.  

So again, while I delight in gazing at the beautiful plaque, and while I am aware of the sweet  aroma of the beautiful flowers, and as I re-read the lovely comments, I personally extend my  heartfelt gratitude to those I have mentioned and to those others who were unnamed. Thank  you again to everyone!”