FARMINGTON – Mt. Blue High School music teacher Steve Muise was awarded the Maine Music Educator of the Year Award at a banquet held at the All State Music Festival in May.

Muise was nominated by SAD 47 friend and colleague Andy Forster, who in his introduction speech, spoke of the “many facets of Steve Muise.” From the golfer, to the night owl, to the Mid Maine Youth Orchestra conductor, to the Red Sox fan, Muise gives it his all, Forster said.

“And every time I turn on 207, there he is again with his band, Boreal Tordu! But of course, it’s as an educator that Steve really deserves the award.”

Muise teaches with a contagious energy and enthusiasm, whether he is leading third graders in their first lesson or conducting the Mt. Blue High School Orchestra. During his rehearsals and classes, he offers a steady stream of suggestions and encouragement as he urges his students to strive for a high quality of playing.

Muise is devoted to assuring that all players, regardless of ability level, experience the joy of producing music and of seeing improvement in their playing. Through his use of both classical and folk-fiddling techniques, Muise is able to provide a varied menu of teaching methods and music that helps to keep all of his students engaged.

This year has been particularly rewarding for Muise. As founder and director of the Franklin County Fiddlers, Muise arranged for a musical whirlwind tour of Ireland with stops in Limerick, Kilarney, and Dublin.

Musicians in his high school orchestra were treated to “Muise the musician” this spring as he swapped places with students Jake Smith and Ben Swain as they conducted pieces they had written. He has recently been asked to sit on the steering committee of Alternative Styles for the National American String Teachers Association, an organization for whom he presented a workshop at a national convention in Reno, Nev., two years ago. And, he has set down the initial tracks for a CD with his dad, guitarist, Paul Muise.