RESTON, VA (August 11, 2011) — Mary Catherine DeMauro (Liverpool, New York) and Elizabeth Ann Gravitz (Orlando, Florida) were awarded the Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship for 2011. The Scholarship was created by Shannon’s family and friends in coordination with the National Association for Music Education (MENC) to honor her exemplary life and her love of teaching music.
Originally from Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, Shannon earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with performance honors from Syracuse University. She student taught at Westhill High School, where she conducted the wind ensemble and assisted with the percussion ensemble, brass ensemble, and jazz ensemble; and at Soule Road Middle School, where she conducted the seventh and eighth grade concert and jazz bands. Shannon was working on her Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting at the University of Florida from August 2008 until her untimely passing in February 2009. Shannon had a passion for music and taught her students with kindness and respect, but what most people remember about her was her smile and positive outlook on life.
Mary Catherine DeMauro, a graduate of Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music, is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Music Education. Leading the Syracuse University Marching Band as section leader, music instructor and Drum Major, Mary shared her passion of music with her peers. Locally, Mary spends time at area middle and high schools learning hands on about creating and teaching music lessons to “young, creative minds.” After completing her master’s degree, Mary hopes to teach in the public school system.
Elizabeth Ann Gravitz received a Bachelor of Music Education, with certification in Instrumental Music K-12 and General Music K-12, from the University of Florida and is now pursuing a master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting at Texas A&M University. In high school Elizabeth discovered her talent and passion for conducting and fulfills this desire with internships at all school levels. Elizabeth is able to bring 21st Century Skills into the music classroom with knowledge of software such as Finale® and Noteflight.
“Shannon was passionate about music and the positive influence it had on her students,” said Mike and Leigh Kane, Shannon’s parents. “This passion is also evident in the scholarship award winners. While Shannon was taken too quickly from this world, it gives us some comfort to know that we can help others who share the same passion for music. We wish the winners much success in their future endeavors.”
For more information on the Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship Fund, or to make a donation, visit http://musiced.nafme.org/resources/scholarship-resources-for-music-students/shannon-kelly-kane-scholarship/. For more information about the National Association for Music Education call 1-800-336-3768, or visit www.menc.org.
MENC: The National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, marked its centennial in 2007 as the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. Through membership of more than 75,000 active, retired, and pre-service music teachers, and with 60,000 honor students and supporters, MENC serves millions of students nationwide through activities at all teaching levels, from preschool to graduate school. MENC’s mission is to advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all. Since 1907, MENC has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers. MENC’s activities and resources have been largely responsible for the establishment of music education as a profession, for the promotion and guidance of music study as an integral part of the school curriculum, and for the development of the National Standards for Arts Education. MENC is located in Reston, VA.
