The WSO and its Academy of Music announce their first annual Independent Music Teacher of the Year award to Leslie Nemeth. The award was created to recognize an outstanding music teacher in Westmoreland County who provides private music lessons.
WSO Academy Director Morrie Brand worked to develop the award program. “The WSO wanted to formally recognize all the benefits that an outstanding music teacher brings to the quality of life in the community through private lessons,” he said. “An excellent music teacher helps to build character by teaching values of discipline and responsibility and show students how to accept praise and criticism. Many times a student’s life is transformed through private music lessons,” said Brand.
Leslie Nemeth studied music at Carnegie Mellon University and began teaching piano in 1991 in the Ligonier area and now has 30-50 students she teaches annually. Her love of music began at Seton Hill Music Camp in middle school and later she toured Europe with the American Youth Symphony and Chorus. “I love working with children – I develop a wonderful relationship with them and try to give them the gift of learning to express themselves with their instrument,” said Nemeth.
“This award is very special. Because I am not in a school, the work I do is ‘behind the scenes.’ It is an honor to be recognized and I am humbled by it. I feel very fortunate to do something that I love and now I also feel appreciated,” said Nemeth.
The award will be presented prior to the WSO’s Fauré Requiem concert on April 28, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre.
Sponsored by Covington Financial
