EDMOND — Edmond has long been known for its high scholastic attainments, athletic achievements and an overall well-rounded education.

This year two of the eight Oklahoma educators named 2012 Oklahoma Music Educators Association Exemplary Teachers are Edmond teachers. One retired Edmond teacher was named to the 2012 OMEA Hall of Fame.

Christy Fine and Rebekah Martin were named 2012 OMEA Exemplary Teachers and Ralph Duncan was named to the 2012 OMEA Hall of Fame.  



Christy Fine

Christy Fine said she fell in love with the idea of teaching when she was young. Thinking she wanted to teach science, after she learned to play a clarinet her passion for music and the desire to teach music was ignited.

Fine received her bachelor of music education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.

During her university years she was active in the concert band program, jazz band and orchestra and was named Outstanding Female Senior of the Music Department.

Fine taught band in the Putnam City School District before coming to Summit Middle School in Edmond in 1989 to teach strings, where her program now has more than 150 students.

When Santa Fe High School opened in 1993 she added the high school to her schedule. Summit has earned the OSSAA Distinguished Orchestra Award for many years, and Santa Fe has received 15 OSSAA Sweepstakes awards.

Fine teaches at a music camp at Arkansas University during the summer, and she hosts a Summer String program in Edmond at Santa Fe.

Rebekah Martin

Rebekah Martin has been teaching music for 25 years and is currently in her eighth year at Edmond Memorial High School. She has held teaching positions in Midwest City-Del City Public Schools and Mounds Public Schools.

“We are so very blessed to have Becky Martin working with our vocal music program,” said Memorial principal Debbie Bendick.

“Her students would be the first to tell you that her significantly high expectations are the hallmark of her work; and they are in place for both Becky herself and her students, whether in daily practices or on the stage. The results are exemplary performances sung by exemplary choirs, led by a most exemplary teacher.”

Martin graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in Music Education. Her choirs have won state and national level contests, and her EMHS choirs have consistently won Sweepstakes Awards at the OSSAA 6A State Choir Contest and have been selected three times to appear as an Honor Choir at the OMEA state convention.

The Edmond Memorial High School Advanced Women’s Choir was a demonstration choir for the ACDA National Convention in Oklahoma City in 2009.

A few weeks ago, her Men’s Chorus sang as an Honor Choir at All-State.

“We feel so fortunate because Ms. Becky Martin led our sons through this fine vocal music program,” said Andy Oden.

“From concerts and Follies to solos and all-state, she has demonstrated wonderful skill at teaching and motivating hundreds of young people to excel at whatever they do.

“Especially for young men, a music program like Edmond Memorial’s — and others  in our community — provide an environment combining creative expression, excellence, teamwork and uncorking talents for our collective benefit and for these young men’s growth.”

“Ms. Martin and Ms. Jan Smith invest countless hours in our kids, as do so many of our unsung faculty heroes. To see both the OMEA and the Edmond school board recognize Ms. Martin should send a strong message of our community’s support for — and commitment to — a fulfilling education, led by folks like Ms. Martin.

“On many occasions, as the parents leave a Memorial performance, we comment to each other, ‘Can you believe she gets our kids to do those amazing things?’ or simply, ‘Wow!’”



Ralph Duncan

Winner of one of the three 2012 OMEA Hall of Fame awards, Ralph Duncan said his direction toward a music teaching career began early for him.

When Wanda Washcheck walked into his Edmond first-grade classroom at Russell Dougherty he knew that something special was about to happen, Duncan said.

“I was a member of a boys’ choir and a children’s operetta that my music teacher, Mr. Adams provided outside of the regular curriculum,” Duncan said.

“I decided then that getting up in front of people and doing something was what I wanted to do.”

Duncan said the support of arts in Edmond on an elementary level made a huge difference in his life and he appreciated that so much.

In the fifth grade, Jack Sisson, longtime professor of instrumental music at the University of Central Oklahoma, became Duncan’s first band teacher.

Moving to Velma-Alma schools, he was taught by James and Helen Burnett.

He came back to his home town to attend Central State College (now UCO) being taught and mentored by Coleman Smith and Clarence Garder.

He did his student teaching at Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City with John Platt. In 1967 Duncan was selected as Central’s Outstanding Man.

His 42-year teaching career was varied until he moved to Edmond North High School where he spent his last 17 years teaching.

While at North, Duncan’s choirs consistently won Sweepstakes and superior awards at state and national contests. He was selected a 2010 OMEA Exemplary Teacher.

In 2011, all of the performing groups of ENHS won Sweepstakes Awards at the OSSAA State Contests — the only school in the state to do so.

He has been in charge of the music program at Wickline United Methodist Church for the past 28 years. He also has worked for the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma City as an actor/singer/dancer.