2011 Valley Arts Award
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Congratulations to this year's winner of the Valley Arts Award - Marilyn Manzer of Wolfville, NS.
The Valley Arts Award was first presented in 2004 to Jack Sheriff, founder of Theatre Arts Festival International and the Kipawo Showboat Company. It recognizes someone who is, or has been a local resident; has worked for the development and/or promotion of Valley artists, arts events, or culture; and has made a significant long-term contribution to the Arts in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley.
Marilyn Manzer was nominated for the 2011 Valley Arts Award because her contribution to the cultural life of the region has been consistently strong for over 25 years.
Marilyn sings and plays piano, harp and recorder. She has been a music director with the Women of Wolfville, directed student musicals at Wolfville Schools, organized musical theatre camps for teenagers, leads neighbourhood carol-singing at Christmas. Marilyn organized a "Festival of Cultures" during the 1980's which took place annually in Wolfville's Willow Park. She began her own music studio after receiving her Bachelor of Music Education from Acadia University in 1991 and in 2001, she added Kindermusik credentials.
Marilyn is known as a wonderful music teacher. Many young people have been led into a lively world of music appreciation through private music lessons and Kindermusik. She has served on the board of the Annapolis Valley Music Festival where she also plays annually as an accompanist and often participates in delightful teacher-student duets. She is past a president of the Valley Chapter of the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association - organizing music workshops for Valley students for over 15 years.
Marilyn is also a Raging Granny. This Wolfville group uses folk music and protest songs to raise public awareness around issues of social justice.
Since its inception, she has been a volunteer with the Deep Roots Music Festival, serving on the programming committee for the first two years and running one of our Saturday morning Take Root! workshops since 2005.
Music is an integral part of Marilyn Manzer's life - its positive influence spreading to three of her daughters who have also pursued careers in music. We are lucky to have Marilyn in our community, and it is a pleasure to honour her contribution with this year's Valley Arts Award.
The Valley Arts Award will be presented during the Sunday afternoon closing concert (CLICK HERE for full schedule).
Nominations for the 2012 award will be accepted starting November. Nominations should be in the form of a letter or e-mail outlining the contribution the individual has made to the cultural life of the region. Please provide names and contact information for two references as well.
Send them to Wendy Elliott, The Kings County Advertiser, P.O. Box 430 Kentville, N.S., B4N 3X4 or e-mail welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca.
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