Local Oneida teacher Heather O’Connell has been awarded the prestigious Music Teacher Award from the one and only Barry Manilow for her work as an excellent music teacher.
Heather O’Connell has won the Manilow Music Teacher Award for her work as a music teacher at Oneida High School along with $10,000, which consists of $5,000 cash and another $5,000 in “Manilow bucks” to purchase musical instruments for her school’s music program. The Manilow Music Project Teacher Award recognizes an “outstanding music teacher who helps bring music to life for their students,” stated Turning Stone. The Manilow Music Project has given away over 10 million dollars worth of funds and musical instrument donations.
“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 $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. 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.”
O’Connell received several nominations from Turning Stone employees, who helped nominate deserving music teachers in the area. The Manilow Music Project then selected ten finalists, opening up voting online to name the winner. Turning Stone Bingo Supervisor Dezaire Collins was one of those employees who nominated O’Connell.
“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.”
Barry Manilow performed on Aug. 19 at Turning Stone, where O’Connell received VIP tickets. Manilow also presented her with the award at a backstage ceremony during the concert.
“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.
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