Recognition of the music department’s recent successes was the focus at the Harborfields Central School District’s Sept. 21 Board of Education meeting.

K-12 Music Department Coordinator Dan Bilawsky was honored for winning the New York State School Music Association’s Education Innovation Award, which recognizes new and creative approaches to music education within or outside the school day.

“I’m humbled and honored to have been selected as this year's recipient of the NYSSMA Education Innovation Award.  The powers of community and collaboration, more than anything else, have fueled every unique undertaking I've been a part of at Harborfields, so I proudly share this recognition with my students and colleagues.”

“Those who know Mr. Bilawsky, know that there couldn’t be a more fitting award for him nor a more deserving person to receive it,” said Dr. Danielle DeLorenzo, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “The district is so very lucky to have him.”

Also honored were student-musicians who earned All-National (Allie Ebanks) and All-State (Breckyn Beechey, Alexa Best, Peter Hoss, Chris Hummel, Kamden Johansen and Ethan Rosenthal) recognition, the Long Island Arts Alliance’s Scholar-Artist Merit Award (Hannah Serwan) and SCMEA All-County Jazz recognition (Jackson Ferrara, Peter Hoss, Kam Johansen, Ethan Rosenthal, Hartley Semmes and Madelin Woodward). For more information on Allie Ebanks, please view our article dated Sept. 27, and look for upcoming articles on the All-State, LIAA Scholar-Artist Merit Award and SCMEA All-County Jazz winners.

Lastly, the district recognized Harborfields High School Choir Director Clare Jackson for winning the Manilow Music Award, and longtime Harborfields High School girls varsity soccer coach Scott Wallace for being named Coach of the Year and earning his 300th career victory.

Date Added: 9/29/2022