A music instructor at Cherokee High School has been named the Lenape Regional High School District’s 2026-’27 teacher of the year.
Earl Phillips was also recognized as the school’s top teacher. He has taught music there since 2007, including the jazz and concert bands and music theory and technology. He has tripled the size of the music program and doubled the size of the jazz program.
As director of Cherokee’s highly competitive jazz ensemble, Phillips has led the group to the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education (NJAJE) Division I state finals every year for the past 18. Cherokee’s jazz band placed fourth and earned second in sight reading last month at the finals.
“Earl’s success is not defined by awards alone,” said Cherokee High principal Donna Charlesworth in a statement. “His true impact lies in the way he cultivates confidence, discipline, collaboration and a life-long love of learning in every student he teaches.
“Among his many contributions,” she added, “he considers the annual “Nutcracker” jazz concert his greatest achievement at Cherokee. This signature event brings together current students, alumni spanning generations and musicians from the district’s sending middle schools for a unique opportunity to connect with those who came before them and recognize their place in a larger musical community, celebrating continuity, mentorship and the enduring power of music education.”
In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Phillips is the pit orchestra director for Cherokee’s musical productions and is known as the Voice of Cherokee at sporting events and other school functions.
Outside the classroom, Earl is a published composer, arranger and author, and chief arranger for his own big band. He is a member of the Social Communications Board of the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education (NJAJE) and the 2020 NJAJE Lifetime Achievement/Teacher of the Year award recipient.
Phillips also developed and manages the Evesham Jazz Machine, a community program for township middle-school students to develop their understanding and appreciation for jazz music and provide them advanced musical opportunities. It performs at local festivals and regional competitions, often alongside high-school ensembles.
Prior to working at Cherokee, Phillips recorded with actor Will Smith, Kid Cudi and Boyz II Men. His work on John Legend’s “So Amazing” in 2005 helped the album win two Grammy Awards. Phillips is also a voting artist member for the awards.
Phillips maintains an active career and is an in-demand trombonist for shows, weddings and community festivals. He also serves as professor of jazz trombone at Rowan University, where he is a member of the composition and arranging faculty. He is also a guest lecturer at the National Association for Music Education.
“Earl Phillips represents the very best of the Lenape Regional High School District,” noted its superintendent, Matthew Webb. “His commitment to students, excellence in instruction and contributions to music education make him exceptionally deserving of this recognition.”
