teacher
Music teacher Dimitri Kauriga, of Southampton, PA who taught more than 30 years at Philadelphia High School for Girls, had many supporters in the audience when he was named as the grand prize winner in the Fourth Annual Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) Ovation Award in a surprise presentation. It took place in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 3 p.m. during the 77th Annual Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Festival Concert. The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s Ovation Award for Inspiration and Outstanding Leadership in Music Education has been honoring excellence in music instruction since its inaugural year in 2014.
Kauriga was joined by many other finalists (see below) who all received gifts and honorariums. As the grand prize winner, Kauriga received a crystal trophy from Jacobs Music Company commemorating his award, a gift card from J.W. Pepper as well as a $1,000 honorarium from the H.E.L.P.® Foundation. Directly after receiving the honor, Kauriga said, “It’s fantastic to be recognized, but being a part of music is the most beautiful part. When you’re in the process of educating and you later realize the difference you make in someone’s life, it is so meaningful”. He added, “Father’s Day is always special to me. Each year, I get unexpected calls from students on Father’s Day who say something like, ‘You don’t know the difference you made in my life. You were like a father to me.’” As a father whose daughter also attended Girl’s High, he knew the difference music made in his daughter’s life. He also said, “I saw firsthand how music affected her life. I try to treat every student like I would want my daughter to be treated.”
Kauriga—and nine other music teachers—served as the 10 finalists nominated by current and former students. The nominators were asked to respond to the question, “How has my music teacher changed my life?” The nominees were then reviewed by a panel of judges: representatives composed of individuals from music departments at local universities and major music institutions. The panel chose the 10 finalists, as well as Kauriga as the grand prize winner.
Kauriga’s nominator, Elisabeth D’Alessandro (of Philadelphia, PA) met Kauriga while he taught her music in high school. D’Alessandro writes in her winning essay that Kauriga instilled a love of music in her so strong that she decided to pursue her current profession as a music teacher at The Philadelphia High School for Girls. D’Alessandro writes, “Mr. Kauriga was a model of commitment and dedication. He got to school early, stayed late, and rarely took a break. He embodied the work ethic which he demanded of his students. He inspired generations of students to achieve above and beyond what we thought we could. His faith in our ability gave use the confidence we needed to excel.” D’Alessandro received $250 for being the nominator of the grand prize winner.
The PYO Ovation Award honors music teachers in the Delaware Valley who not only successfully teach music to their students, but also instill confidence in them. The award is endowed by H.E.L.P.® Foundation and sponsored by J.W. Pepper, Jacobs Music Company with WRTI-90.1 as a partner. After WRTI’s Jack Moore announced Kauriga as the winner on stage, the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra performed its concert. The concert was conducted by Maestro Louis Scaglione and featured special guests: violinist Michael Ludwig, The Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale, and guest vocal soloists Alexandra Nowakowski, Eric Reiger and John Viscardi. The concert also featured a world premiere by the Inaugural Young Composers Competition winner, Alan Mackwell. The over 100 PYO student musicians, ages 14 to 21, performed Mackwell’s winning composition “III. Secretly Ramses the Second,” along with Alexander Glazunov’s “Violin Concerto in A minor” and Carl Orff’s “Carmino Burana.” The concert exemplified the organization’s immense young talent.