SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury High School performing arts teacher Michael Lapomardo has been named as a semifinalist for the GRAMMY 2024 Music Educator Award.
The award, presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum, “supports and celebrates music education and music educators throughout the U.S.,” according to a press release.
“This is an incredible honor,” Lapomardo told the Community Advocate in an email statement. “I am truly humbled by this entire experience and the opportunities it has provided me to reflect on my own personal journey with music education.”
Lapomardo was one of 25 semifinalists from 17 states. Over 2,000 educators were initially nominated for the award. According to the press release the award “recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the music education field and demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.”
“This is a big deal,” said Superintendent Joe Sawyer at the Oct. 11 School Committee meeting. “Those of you who know Michael and have known his work over his long career in Shrewsbury and his impact are probably not surprised, but I’m certainly pleased that he is being recognized in this way.”
Finalists for the award will be announced in December, and the winner will be recognized during GRAMMY Week 2024, days ahead of the GRAMMYs on Feb. 4. The award recipient will receive an honorarium of $10,000 with a matching grant for the school’s music program.
