In her Texas classroom, high school choirmaster Pamela Dawson is called “Mama Dawson.” But she’s got a new title to add to her collection: Grammy Award Winner. Dawson has been named a 2023 Grammy Music Educator Award winner.
Dawson has been a choir teacher at DeSoto High School since 2007 after quitting her office job to pursue a teaching career.
“I went out in front of the kids on the first day and said, ‘Oh my god, I missed my call. That’s it,'” Dawson said.
Dawson comes from a musical family in Detroit, Michigan. She was one of her eight children and the only girl. Her mother “didn’t let her do much,” she said.
Despite her talent, Dawson never pursued music professionally. However, her teaching inspired some students, such as actors, singers, and 2012 alumna Davianne Jackson to pursue her music career. Her students said they valued what she taught beyond her scale.
“It’s a dog-eating dog world, especially in the art space,” Jackson said. “And if you don’t keep Ps and Qs, you could be eaten by the world. If you’re on time, you’re late.”
Student Ariana Williams credits Dawson with helping her get out of a “dark place” and build her confidence.
“She was always there,” Williams said. “I can’t imagine her without her.”
Dawson was selected from among 1,205 initial nominees submitted from 47 states. It is his third time Dawson has been named a Top 10 Finalist for this award.
“If they weren’t there [students] I don’t think I’m where I am It’s always about the students,” Dawson said.