The coronavirus isn't stopping the singers from Colgan High School in Manassas.
Through a virtual performance, they recently delivered a message of hope during a hard time.
"It was the first time we got to put music together since COVID happened," said McKenna Stenson, Head Choral Director at Colgan.
For her, virtual concerts are a way to encourage others and draw closer to one another. Two things her students see as her strengths.
"She has a unique ability to connect to students," said 18-year-old senior Daniel Bothma.
That's one of the reasons why the CMA Foundation named Stenson a 2020 Country Music Awards Music Teacher of Excellence.
The honor is awarded to 30 instructors around the country and carries a prize of $5,000 to be split by each teacher and their school.
"I was pretty surprised. It's a really great honor. It's a really wonderful group of educators to be a part of," Stenson said.
18-year-old Rebecca Walther wasn't surprised by her teacher receiving the honor.
"As a teacher and as a person, she's just so amazing," she said.
Bothma thought he wanted a career in theater until he met Stenson.
"Now I'm going to college for music education because of her," he said.
An awards ceremony for the honorees was originally planned for this month in Nashville, but due to coronavirus, it's been rescheduled for October.