Joshua Race, an Auburn grad student and full-time band director in Fountain, Colorado, was recently named to Yamaha's 40 Under 40, a list that recognizes young music educators for their outstanding work. Currently enrolled online at Auburn University pursuing his specialist in education degree, Race spends most of his time teaching his band students using metacognitive strategies.
Yamaha’s 40 Under 40 was created in 2021 to recognize music educators under the age of 40 for their work in growing and strengthening the music program at educational institutions. According to their website, they look for candidates that showcase characteristics in their teachings such as action, courage, creativity and growth. Honorees are nominated by students, parents and other teachers.
Race first found out that he had been accepted to Yamaha’s 40 Under 40 list when he received a call last Christmas, but he did not know he had been nominated. When he found out, he was completely surprised and filled with gratitude.
“I think it’s a great honor, and it was really humbling to receive [a spot on the list]. I was very surprised to receive it,” Race said. “I think it’s a testament to the work that I’ve done as a teacher and the growth that I’ve made.”
Race is in his 16th year of teaching and is the band director at Fountain-Fort Carson High School in Fountain, Colorado. Growing up, Race was convinced he would become a teacher, because his dad was one. He ultimately chose to become a band teacher, because he had always enjoyed playing instruments and being a part of a band.
After graduating from high school, Race attended the University of Northern Colorado and then received his master’s in music education from Adams State. Today, he happily directs a high school band, teaching students all about music theory and playing instruments.
One way Race helps his students learn in class is through metacognitive strategies. These strategies help them understand how their minds work, leading to a better understanding of classroom material through self-pacing and self-guided goals.
“Metacognition is just you learn about the way that you think so kids understand their thought processes when they’re learning something,” Race said. “If they were practicing something, they understand their weaknesses and strengths of how to practice and the best ways of approaching things.”
Since learning about these strategies and implementing them into his daily teaching, Race has seen growth in his students. Since he usually teaches his band students for multiple years, he noticed how they began to use critical thinking skills independently, without additional guided questions from instructors.
In addition to teaching high school band, Race also started the Fountain Valley Community Band. The community band allows music teachers, musicians and former band students in the area to play as part of an ensemble similar to what they did in high school and college. Race sees it as a way for them to have fun and reconnect with that passion.
“I just love that music is the one area that anybody can come together and be a part of something bigger than themselves,” Race said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from or how old you are or experience level – music is something that you could do for the rest of your life.”
Race has built his teaching foundation on solid mentors, from his high school band director to two Auburn University professors: Dr. Nancy Barry, professor of music education, and Dr. Corey Spurlin, associate director of bands.
Race had Barry as a professor several times for his music education classes and is grateful for her teachings and dedication in pushing him to be a better teacher himself. However, his biggest mentor remains his high school band director, whom he feels like he can go to for any issue.
“It takes a village, and I think I’ve got a really great village of mentors across the board,” Race said.
His next step after obtaining his education specialist degree in the music program is to continue elevating his performance with his students. He hopes to continue teaching them and watching them grow.
One of Race's beliefs is to “never stop learning and growing,” and he plans to stick by it.
“I think that no matter how old you are, you can always grow and you can learn, and you have to be willing to learn,” Race said. “Just never stop growing.”
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Katelyn Smith, sophomore majoring in journalism, is from Birmingham, Alabama. She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since the fall of 2025.
