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This past February, Yamaha announced its sixth annual 40 Under 40 Music Educators List, including Aron Kontorovich, '22 alumnus of the Master of Music in Music Education (MMME) program. Selected educators have inspired their communities with their dedication to music education. The educators on this year's list created new programs or ideas, achieved their goals with innovation and improved music education in their community. Kontorovich, who currently serves as the marching band director, director of piano and coordinator of student activities at James Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York, was selected for his work in rebuilding the music education program at his high school. 

"I am honored to have been selected as a 2026 Yamaha 40 Under 40 Music Educator, a prestigious national recognition that celebrates innovative, impactful, and emerging leaders in music education," said Kontorovich. "This award highlights educators who are making meaningful contributions to their students, schools and communities through excellence in teaching, advocacy, creativity and leadership. Being named to the Yamaha 40 Under 40 cohort reflects my commitment to fostering musical growth, creating inclusive learning environments and inspiring students to develop both their artistic abilities and personal confidence through music. Throughout my career, I have worked to expand access to high-quality music education while promoting collaboration, lifelong learning and student achievement. This recognition is both a personal milestone and a testament to the support of my students, colleagues, administrators and community partners. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my profession and continue advancing the transformative power of music education."

James Madison High School always had a strong Music program. Kontorovich joined the staff in 2018 as the eighth music teacher. He would move between several classrooms teaching Concert Band, Modern Band, West African Drumming and filling in where he was needed. At the begining of his second year, Kontorovich started a piano program at the high school, growing to four sections before the pandemic. In 2022, the last group of piano students had graduated and the marching band had suffered a significant loss of students; Kontorovich had to start from nothing to rebuild these beloved programs. Upon the return to in-person learning, Kontorovich designed a curriculum that prioritized student experience and retention, drawing from his experience running a private lesson studio. To recruit more students for the marching band, he would often visit music classes, pitching the ensemble with excitement. By the Fall of 2023, the marching band had returned with a total enrollment of 60 students, who were part of the color guard, winds, drum line and majorette squad. Today, the music program at James Madison High School has a full sequence of courses, beginning, intermediate and advanced, serving around 160 students.

Kontorovich wanted to improve student opportunities, leading him to create a club for technical theater in partnership with Roundabout Theater Company. In this club, teaching artists provide hands-on training in lighting, set design and other areas of technical theater. Now students have the opportunity to join stage crew, which serves everything from Spring concerts and culture festivals to senior movie nights. Last year, Kontorovich became the coordinator of student activities, which includes overseeing 70 clubs and serving as the club advisor for student government. “In this new role, I work with students from beyond my classroom to positively influence the culture of the entire school, which consists of 4,300 students,” Kontorovich told Yamaha. “As the student government advisor, I ensure that students’ voices are heard, that they have an impact on their school community, and I, of course, never miss a chance to highlight and advocate for our music program!” 

Kontorovich has also built a strong sense of community at James Madison High School. Whether he is hosting the holiday sing-along in the lobby before winter break, accompanying concerts on piano or simply complimenting students on their hard work, Kontorovich works to build respect and trust with all his students. “Building relationships has allowed me to develop a rapport with students that yields a culture of trust, so when I tell a student that I believe in them chasing their dreams, they know that I mean every word,” he explains. “Students know that I will always support them in their growth and at every step of their journey.”

Outside of teaching at James Madison High School, Kontorovich co-directs the Brooklyn Concert Band for the program on Saturday mornings. Here, he works with serious band students in grades four through eight to elevate their skills and have a musical experience they normally wouldn’t have in their school programs. In the Summer of 2024, Kontorovich spearheaded the development of a new piano component to the Instrumental Studio for the Middle School Summer Arts Audition Bootcamp, where students spend two weeks at Lincoln Center and Juilliard School to elevate their musicianship, develop new skills on their instruments and prepare for their auditions for performing arts high schools.

91����'s School of Music is proud of Kontorovich's astounding achievements. He has created a colorful and thriving music education program, something the MMME program urges students to strive for each day. To learn more about the School of Music's various degrees and programs, please visit www.kent.edu/music.