Dr. Ed Cannava, Regis University Jazz Ensemble Director, was recently inducted into the Colorado Music Educators Hall of Fame. Cannava was a longtime Littleton Public Schools teacher and the district is excited to share news of his recent recognition! Regis University recently shared news of this accomplishment:

DENVER — Regis University Jazz Ensemble Director Ed Cannava, Ph.D., has been inducted into the Colorado Music Educators Hall of Fame. Cannava was honored during an opening reception at the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA) conference in Colorado Springs in late January.

“It was an incredible experience to be in front of my peers and to give a short speech in appreciation for everybody’s support,” Cannava recently said. “I didn’t expect to hear the entire award plaque read or to receive a standing ovation. It was a night I can’t even describe. It was a culmination of my career.”

Cannava, who has directed the jazz band for three years, has his sights on a new enterprise: starting a concert band at Regis University in the fall that will allow for smaller pep bands to play at University basketball games.

“It’ll be the first time in the University’s history that we will have done anything like that, so I’m excited about the prospect,” said Cannava.

Before coming to Regis, Cannava was an instrumental music education instructor at Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver for five years, where he prepared students in band and orchestra conducting. He was a public school music teacher for 32 years, including 22 years as director of bands at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado. He has had 10 ensembles perform at the CMEA annual conference throughout the years, from junior high and high school groups to collegiate-level bands, including leading a Regis University ensemble during last year’s conference.

“It’s very competitive – the students have to audition to perform at the conference – so I’m very proud of all the ensembles I’ve taken to the conference to perform,” said Cannava. “I’m lucky to have worked with so many wonderful students over the years, and I still do.”