Music icon Barry Manilow announced today that Heather O’Connell, music teacher at Oneida High School is the winner of his Manilow Music Project Teacher Award. Turning Stone employees helped the Manilow Music Project by nominating deserving music teachers in their area for this award. The Manilow Music Project then selected 10 finalists and opened up voting online to name the winner. O’Connell will receive a $10,000 award, which consists of $5,000 cash and another $5,000 in “Manilow bucks” to purchase musical instruments for her school’s music program. O’Connell will also receive VIP tickets to Barry Manilow’s August 19 concert at Turning Stone. Barry Manilow himself will present O’Connell with the award the night of his concert in a special backstage ceremony.
The Manilow Music Project Teacher Award recognizes an outstanding music teacher who helps bring music to life for their students. O’Connell received several nominations from Turning Stone employees, including Dezaire Collins, Turning Stone Bingo Supervisor.
“Honestly, [Mrs. O’Connell] was the first person I thought of; she is truly an amazing teacher,” said Collins. “Now that I’m a parent and think back to the joy she brought to my life in music, and now she’s giving it to my kids as well. It’s quite amazing the impact she’s made in our district over these past 30 years.”
“I am so humbled and so honored to have won this award to give me the opportunity to help so many students,” said O’Connell. “The $5000 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. 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.”
The Manilow Music Project has given away over ten million dollars’ worth of funds and music instrument donations.
“It is wonderful to partner with our concert venues to identify schools and music teachers in their neighborhoods that deserve this small token of my gratitude, said Manilow. “Many school music programs have either been terminated, or their funds have been severely depleted. I always want to do my part through The Manilow Music Project to keep music in schools.”
Limited tickets for Manilow’s August 19 show in the Turning Stone Event Center are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster. Barry Manilow’s performance at Turning Stone is part of the Upstate New York’s premier destination’s 30th anniversary celebration.
Barry Manilow’s unparalleled career is made up of virtually every facet of music, including performing, composing, arranging, and producing. A 2002 Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, Manilow has triumphed in every medium of entertainment. He has received a Grammy®, Emmy®, and a TONY Award® and has been nominated for an Academy Award®. Having sold more than 85 million albums worldwide, Barry Manilow is one of the world’s all-time bestselling recording artists. He’s had an astonishing 50 Top 40 singles, including 12 #1s and 27 Top 10 hits, and is ranked the #1 Adult Contemporary Artist of all-time, according to Billboard and R&R magazines.
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