North Hills music teacher in the running for $10K Barry Manilow award

A North Hills High School music teacher is one of several area educators nominated to receive a $10,000 award from the Manilow Music Project, which is giving away grants to schools during 81-year-old Barry Manilow’s final arena tour.

If Len Lavelle emerges victorious from a public vote, North Hills would be awarded $5,000 for the purchase of new instruments. Though Lavelle also would receive a $5,000 cash prize if he wins, the longtime teacher has vowed to donate the prize to benefit the music program.

A North Hills graduate and a former member of the band he now directs, Lavelle said North Hills is a “big part of who he is.” But he would prefer the focus of the vote, he said, to be uplifting North Hills’ music program as a whole.

“This is not about me whatsoever. This is about us and North Hills and what we do,” he said.

Nominated by a former student, Lavelle is one of 12 candidates up for public vote in the Pittsburgh area.

Residents in other upcoming tour locations such as Philadelphia and Cleveland also are voting in their respective regions.

The band director said he plans to attend Manilow’s May 23 show at PPG Paints Arena, saying North Hills’ jazz band recently played Manilow’s 1978 hit “Copacabana” in concert.

The district’s superintendent, Patrick J. Mannarino, called Lavelle “dedicated” and “selfless” in a statement.

He said he is not surprised Lavelle committed to donate his potential winnings.

“North Hills is an amazing place to live. It’s an amazing place to learn music, and I want to bring attention to what our kids are doing,” Lavelle said.

Those interested in voting can do so once a day online until April 3 at the Manilow Music Project’s website. The highest vote-getter will be announced April 17.