Vote daily to help North Hills' Len Lavelle win Manilow Music Teacher Award, $10K for music program

World-renowned singer-songwriter Barry Manilow will honor a Pittsburgh music teacher during his final concert in the city this May, and North Hills’ own Len Lavelle is a finalist. 

For Lavelle, the district’s band director and music department curriculum leader, winning the Manilow Music Teacher Award is not about the recognition but a chance to give back in a big way. 

The award recipient will receive $10,000 -- a $5,000 cash prize and a $5,000 credit that can be used to purchase instruments for their classroom. If he wins, Lavelle has pledged to donate the entire $5,000 cash prize directly into the North Hills School District’s music program to benefit students.

"I am honored to be nominated for the Manilow Music Teacher Award and honored to teach our amazing students at North Hills music each day. This is an incredible opportunity to bring this benefit to our students and bring recognition to what is happening in music at North Hills," said Lavelle, a North Hills alum.

But he can’t win without your help! The winner will be determined solely by online votes, and voting is open now through April 3. All you need is an email address, and you can vote once per day. VOTE HERE!

Lavelle added, "The North Hills community is the best. There is no place like it. We hope everyone in the community will take 10 seconds to vote each day until April 3rd so we can bring this home for our students. We are so proud of what they do. Thank you, thank you, thank you, North Hills!"

Lavelle was nominated for the Manilow Music Teacher Award by a former student who now works at PPG Paints Arena, the venue where Manilow’s concert will take place. The Manilow Fund partnered with PPG Paints Arena to identify local music teachers worthy of the nomination.

Pittsburgh's winner will be announced on April 17 and will be honored at Barry Manilow’s concert at PPG Paints Arena on May 23.

Let’s rally behind Mr. Lavelle and support our music students — vote every day through April 3 and spread the word!

About the Manilow Music Teacher Award

The Manilow Music Teacher Award, presented by the Manilow Music Project, honors outstanding music educators who inspire students and bring music to life in the classroom. In addition to the $10,000 prize —including $5,000 in cash and $5,000 in "Manilow Bucks" to purchase musical instruments, recipients are also recognized on stage at Manilow’s concert. The award supports the project's mission to combat budget cuts in music education by providing resources to schools in need.