Scott Burrows is in his second year of leading the music program at Estero High School. GRAMMY®, TONY®, and EMMY® Award-winning music icon Barry Manilow has taken notice, and selected him as a winner of the Manilow Music Teacher Award. Created through the Manilow Music Project, a program of the Manilow Fund, the Manilow Music Teacher Award honors educators whose passion and dedication help bring music to life for their students.
"It is truly an honor to be considered for such a meaningful award and even more so for us to be voted one of the winners,” Burrow said. “I am very proud of our student musicians, staff, and community at Estero High School. The students of the music program were so excited when they heard the news! I could not be happier for them as they deserve all praise for their hard work, dedication, and diligence in refurbishing a once diminished program now full of life and musical happiness."
The Manilow Music Teacher Award program coincides with Manilow’s farewell performances in nine U.S. cities this January. Manilow is scheduled to perform at Hertz Arena January 10th and 11th. Burrow will be recognized live onstage during Manilow’s concert and will receive a total prize of $10,000 — a $5,000 cash award and $5,000 in “Manilow Bucks” for classroom instrument purchases.
Burrows is a passionate music educator, known for his inclusive and culture building teaching philosophy, which helps students find their musical and social confidence to succeed in the program. Under his guidance, students continue to rebuild a program that had been at its lowest point in member count and performance ability.
“While Barry continues his extraordinary career with arena shows this spring and summer, he has chosen to share the spotlight with those he believes truly deserve it: music educators,” said Matt Parrish, President of the Manilow Fund.