An Oneida High School music teacher has beat out nine other finalists to win an award worth $10,000 from singer Barry Manilow.
Heather O’Connell won the Manilow Music Project Teacher Award. The prize comes with a $5,000 cash award and another $5,000 in “Manilow bucks” to allow her to buy musical instruments for her school’s music program.
“I am so humbled and so honored to have won this award to give me the opportunity to help so many students,” O’Connell said.
”The $5,000 instrument money is going to my colleagues to purchase instruments for the students and the other $5,000 is going directly back to the students at the high school,” she said. “We have a beautiful community outreach program here in our school that I can help to feed and clothe and help kids in our community.”
Manilow is performing at Turning Stone on Aug. 19.
Turning Stone employees helped the Manilow project by nominating deserving music teachers in their area for the award, Oneida Indian Nation officials announced. The project selected 10 finalists and opened up voting online to pick the winner.
O’Connell will also receive VIP tickets to the concert. Manilow will present O’Connell with the award at a backstage ceremony during the concert.
The Manilow project recognizes an outstanding music teacher who helps bring music to life for their students.
A 2002 Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, Manilow has received a Grammy, Emmy and Tony award. He has sold more than 85 million albums worldwide and is one of the world’s all-time bestselling recording artists.
Oneida High School, which has about 600 students, is located in the city of Oneida in Madison County.
Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime 315-470-3012 or email [email protected]
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