Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center receives top awards at Berklee Memphis Conference

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center received two of six top awards at the conclusion of the Oct. 28-30 Berklee City Music National Conference.

"The Berklee College of Music gives out six awards, and all 48 Berklee City Music Network sites across the country are eligible. We received two of the six," said Sal Aloe, the center's managing director.

Lindsey Stefanski, a resident artist at the center and liaison to the Berklee City Music Network, received the Outstanding PULSE Educator Award, and the center won the Outstanding Partnership Award, Aloe said.

The Berklee City Music Network said, "Lindsey Stefanski is a warm, kind, genuine educator who cares about the development of students and is consistently looking for new ways to provide support and encouragement for the students within the center's community."

The Nomination Committee said it selected the center for one of only two Outstanding Partnership Awards because Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center is a consistent advocate and partner in promoting the Berklee City Music Network mission.

The center has supported Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School students to be able to consistently participate in the Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program and at least five students have received full college scholarships to Berklee over the last three years. The center is dedicated to creating access to Berklee's pre-university learning system experience, or PULSE, for students in the Western Pennsylvania community by having a PULSE-certified educator on its staff and hosting a PULSE Training Institute at their site.

The Jazz Improvisation Collective, a jazz combo composed of music students from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School and led by Grammy Award-winning Center resident artist Eric DeFade performed at the conference.

"The LPPACS students did very well last night as they performed in front of three master jazz artists.  Their critiques of our group's performance were very positive," said Aloe.

Jazz Improvisation Collective members are: Elijah Davis, bass guitar; Curtis Sirkoch, tenor saxophone; Christian Smith, drums; Jennifer Frantz, viola; Amber Liggett, vocals; and Madison Owings, vocals.

"I would like to personally thank all at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center and Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School who make accomplishments and accolades of this manner become a reality. Thank you all for your wonderful work and support to make the center and LPPACS what they are today," Aloe said.

About Berklee City Music Network:  This prestigious network includes 43 partner sites across the country and Canada that harnesses the energy of contemporary music to reach underserved 4th to 12th graders. Students dedicate themselves to building their musical talent, their self-confidence and, in the long run, the strength of their community.

About Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center:  Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center is an arts, education, and cultural asset for western Pennsylvania and the surrounding tri-state region. Located in a beautiful park setting in Midland Pennsylvania, the Center is home to Henry Mancini Arts Academy, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center Professional, Student, and Dance Companies, and also hosts arts education programs and other events.  Since the Center first opened its doors in June 2006, its mission has been to strengthen the cultural, educational, and economic vitality by making high-quality arts and education programs available, accessible, and affordable for everyone.

contact: Laura Humbert, Director of Media
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center
724.365.8028

SOURCE Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center