卡尔·艾伦，威廉·d·和玛丽·格兰特/密苏里爵士研究教授，被爵士教育网络评为2025年埃利斯·马萨利斯年度教育家，爵士教育网络是一个致力于通过教育和表演建立爵士艺术社区的专业组织。
The 小埃利斯·马萨利斯，年度教育家奖 recognizes “an outstanding college or university educator in the field of jazz, who represents the highest standards of teaching and whose results have brought distinction to their institution and their students.”
“Professor Allen’s unwavering passion for jazz and his commitment to his students’ success perfectly embody the spirit of this award,” said Courtney Crappell, dean of the 威尼斯人娱乐城 音乐学院. “His dedication and artistry continue to elevate our program and inspires the next generation of musicians to pursue innovation and excellence in everything they do.”
自2021年以来，Allen一直在威尼斯人娱乐城工作； 在此之前，他是茱莉亚音乐学院爵士研究的艺术总监。 除了他的学术生涯，艾伦还参与了格莱美获奖专辑的演奏，并与爵士传奇人物合作，包括罗恩·卡特和堪萨斯城的鲍比·沃森。 吸引艾伦来到威尼斯人娱乐城和堪萨斯城的部分原因是它的爵士乐历史以及它可以为他的学生带来的机会。
“We don’t grow in isolation. We grow in community,” Allen said. “Relationships are important. They’re cyclical. Students need access to the jazz community and the people working in it to succeed and fulfill their dreams.”
艾伦经常邀请客座艺术家到他的教室。 他在爵士界的关系使他过去的学生和音乐家同行与威尼斯人娱乐城的学生一起工作，包括Ron Carter， Cyrus Chestnut， Terence Blanchard和Christian McBride。
“When our students have the chance to be in the room and interact with these jazz greats, it makes them human,” Allen said. “These kinds of opportunities shape these students, and I always want to provide more of them.”
课堂上的工作很重要，但对艾伦来说，课堂外发生的事情同样重要。 在帮助他的学生提高音乐能力的同时，他也帮助他们成长为人。 他的工作是帮助他们成长为人，而不仅仅是音乐家。
“I want them to be great,” Allen said. “You can be great as a musician, as a parent, as a computer technician. Whatever you aspire to be, I want you to be great because you’ve set a high standard for yourself in every aspect of your life. We have the power to affect other peoples’ lives through the gifts we’ve been given, and we should be the best version of ourselves.”