For Woodhaven High School band teacher Bradley Faryniarz, the greatest reward in music education isn’t the applause after a concert - it’s everything that happens before the curtain rises.
That dedication to students and the daily work of helping young musicians grow has earned Faryniarz a prestigious honor from the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. Faryniarz was recently named the District 12 Band and Orchestra Teacher of the Year by the organization, which represents Wayne, Washtenaw, and Monroe counties.
The award recognizes outstanding music educators who are nominated and selected by their peers. District honorees are then considered for the statewide Teacher of the Year recognition.
“It was a big surprise,” said Faryniarz. “There are a lot more deserving colleagues, so it was truly an honor to be recognized.”
Faryniarz currently serves as a music teacher at Woodhaven High School in the Woodhaven-Brownstown School District, where he has taught for 16 years. He spent his first two years teaching beginner band students at Brownstown Middle School and Patrick Henry Middle School, where he also team-taught sixth grade classes with fellow music educator Mr. Mobley. For the past 14 years, he has led the band program at Woodhaven High School.
His responsibilities include directing three concert bands, jazz band, and marching band, while also teaching courses in music production. Over the years, he has also taught music improvisation and Advanced Placement Music Theory courses.
Under Faryniarz’s leadership, Woodhaven High School concert ensembles have consistently earned superior ratings at MSBOA festivals, with the high school also serving as an annual district festival host site. The program is also one of only a handful in Michigan to participate in United Sound, an organization dedicated to removing barriers and fostering social change through music by creating inclusive performance opportunities for students with disabilities.
In addition to festival performances, the Woodhaven Wind Ensemble regularly participates in community performances and collaborative concerts with neighboring schools. The program has also embraced performances that celebrate culture, history, and inclusion, including annual Veterans concerts and Black History Month concerts that highlight the works of Black composers and feature guest conductors.
In 2025, the ensemble partnered with the National Arab Orchestra for a special concert celebrating National Arab American Heritage Month.
An advocate for contemporary music and student enrichment, Faryniarz has also helped commission works from numerous nationally recognized composers, including Andrew David Perkins, Roger Zare, Alex Shapiro, Aakash Mittal, Nicole Piunno, Steve Danyew, and Kris Johnson.
Woodhaven High School’s music program has also gained recognition for its innovative music technology offerings. In 2024, Faryniarz and the Woodhaven High School Music Production program received the prestigious J Dilla Music Technology Grant from the Save The Music Foundation.
Despite the accolades and achievements, Faryniarz says the relationships built with students remain the most meaningful part of his career.
“The process is the best part,” he said. “I enjoy the concerts, but it’s the daily process of watching the students grow year to year that’s my favorite part. Getting to work with the students every day is what makes this special.”
That focus on growth and student development has helped create a positive culture throughout the district’s band program.
“I think we have a really good culture in our program,” Faryniarz said. “From RJ to Jim, we all try to do what’s best for the kids and always keep their best interests in mind. We want them to become the best versions of themselves through the music we play and the lessons we teach.”
While he may have received the award individually, Faryniarz is quick to credit both his colleagues and students for the success of the program.
“The kids and our student leadership really set that culture and environment,” he said. “It’s all about what the students do.”
Faryniarz holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in music education from Bowling Green State University. Outside of teaching, he maintains an active private woodwind studio, performs regularly with local ensembles including the Detroit Concert Band, and volunteers with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Detroit Harmony initiative, which supports music education opportunities throughout the region.
“It’s great to show up and do this every day with great people and in a district that is very supportive of music education,” Faryniarz said.
Faryniarz’s recognition highlights not only his dedication to music education, but also the strong tradition of student-centered learning, creativity, and excellence within the Woodhaven band program.