BETHLEHEM, PA—Four local students will be recognized for their talent in the classroom and on the stage during this year’s Lehigh Valley Music Awards (LVMA). Andrew Gifford, Ben Johnson, Gianna LaMantia and Morgan Moss have been named the recipients the 2018 Youth Education Scholarship Awards, to be awarded during the LVMA ceremony presented by Tri-Outdoor Advertising March 4, 4 p.m., in the ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café. Tickets for the awards are $20 and on sale now at www.steelstacks.org and 610-332-3378.
For the first time in the event’s history, organizers expanded the scholarship program to four students, all of whom will be pursuing a higher education in music this fall.
Andrew Gifford, a senior at Easton Area High School, has played the alto saxophone in the Easton Area High School Marching Band for four years and now serves as Drum Major. He’s also a member of the high school’s wind ensemble in which he plays the bassoon. Gifford has been in the high school choir for four years as well, and is the treasurer of the choir, having participated in Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District and Regional level choir festivals. Additionally, he’s been involved with the high school theater company and received a Freddy Award nomination for his portrayal of Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in the 2017 production of “Anything Goes.” Gifford plans to attend a four-year university to pursue a career in music education.
A senior at Saucon Valley High School, Ben Johnson is appearing in his seventh school play and has been in Pennsylvania Youth Theatre plays and musicals. He is president of the school choir and a member of various choirs in the region. He took second place at the Schmidt Vocal Competition at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and plays alto sax and piano. He’s also vice president of the school Drama Club and a member of the school marching, concert and jazz bands. He plans to major in vocal performance.
Gianna LaMantia is among the top six percent in her graduating class at Lehigh Valley Charter School of the Arts. She is a member of student council, touring choir, Tri-M-National Music Honor Society, National Honor Society, and is also a Girl Scout Troop co-leader.
Morgan Moss is a senior at Northwestern Lehigh High School and has been playing piano for 14 years. She takes private lessons from a college professor and also has her own piano teaching business. Moss takes a very active role in Northwestern’s music program by directing the women’s a cappella group, music directing the middle school drama productions, playing multiple instruments in Northwestern’s concert and jazz bands, and singing in the chorus. She has also been accepted into district chorus two years in a row, and she now plans to pursue piano performance in college with an education minor.
Jonah Lawrence to Receive Community Youth Award
At just 9-years-old, Weisenberg Elementary School fourth grader Jonah Lawrence is already dedicated to raising awareness for autism and making a difference in the lives of others. Diagnosed with autism at age 3, he has worked hard to overcome social and emotional delays including hours of early intervention, in-home therapies, speech therapy, occupational therapy, outpatient psychotherapy and social skills groups. Living with his mom, dad and two dogs in New Tripoli, Lawrence now has a passion for science, technology and learning how things work. He enjoys riding his dune buggy, playing video games, roller skating and swimming. As a Billy Joel fan, he’s also interested in making music and is currently taking piano lessons.
With the help of his family, Lawrence grew to understand his own challenges with autism spectrum disorder and began getting involved with Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Lawrence participated in his first Lehigh Valley Autism walk in 2013, and since then, he’s grown to love fundraising events and walks, with family and friends by his side.
In recognition of his selfless work and dedication, Lawrence is the recipient of this year’s Lehigh Valley Music Awards’ Community Youth Award. The award will be presented March 4 during the LVMA ceremony sponsored by Tri-Outdoor Advertising.
Each year, the LMVAs honor an outstanding youth in the community with their Community Youth Award to spread awareness of local children who are battling diseases such as autism, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and pediatric cancer.
Lehigh Valley Music Awards to Air on Service Electric
Unable to attend the 19th Lehigh Valley Music Awards March 4, 4 p.m.? Music lovers can catch all the action, including musical performance and awards, thanks to official broadcast partner Service Electric Cable TV & Communications. The ceremony will air on Service Electric March 11 and 18, 8 p.m., on Channel 2 and HD 502.
A partnership between the nonprofit Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association (GLVMA) and ArtsQuest, the Lehigh Valley Music Awards are designed to celebrate the region’s vibrant music industry. For more information, visit www.lehighvalleymusicawards.org.
Information and image provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko, ArtsQuest
http://www.artsquest.org/
