50240269
At a school filled with distinguished artistic and musical talents, one student has quickly made the transition from fitting in to standing out.
Michael Stanley, an 11th-grader at Girard Academic Music Program, 2136 W. Ritner St., has an unique combination of musical talent and dedication to his craft. The Passyunk Square resident has been a recipient of the Marian Anderson Young Artist Study-Grant Award, which assists financially-challenged artists during their high school years, for four-straight years. He recently applied for an additional year.
“I dedicate a tremendous amount of time to my music,” the resident of the 1500 block of South Juniper Street said. “I try to practice for at least four hours every night.”
The program was founded in correspondence with the Marian Anderson Award, which honors artists who contribute to a humanitarian cause in addition to their entertainment talents. This year’s Marian Anderson Award winner is actress, singer, model and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow, who will receive her award at the May 10 gala concert. Past recipients have included Bill Cosby, Maya Angelou, Richard Gere and Oprah Winfrey.
The annual event makes it possible for students like Stanley, 17, to enjoy their passion for music. He plays the viola — a bowed string instrument and tenor tone of the violin family — like a veteran chamber musician. Even Renard Edwards, a viola player with the Philadelphia Orchestra, who has been Stanley’s teacher for the past four-and-a-half years, has nothing but praise for the young musician.
“Michael is a terrific young man that has dedicated himself whole-heartedly to this,” Edwards said. “He has a tremendous love for classical music and the viola.”
Edwards, who was the first African-American man contracted to play with the Philadelphia Orchestra, said he was blown away when he got the chance to see Stanley play the viola for the first time, after a friend of his set up a private session.
“Michael showed a great deal of creativity with the piece he played for me,” Edwards said. “I like the way he conducted himself and I decided then and there that I wanted to become his teacher.”
He can recognize why Stanley is one of those being honored in the name of the late Marian Anderson — a former resident of 762 S. Martin St., and opera star — with several study-grant awards.
“It must be because of his dedication to music and helping his schools. He is very serious about trying to become a fine musician,” Edwards said.
His mother, Charlene Konstadopulos, knows firsthand how hard he works.
“Michael plays all the time and deserves the awards he has been given,” she said.
Stanley also teaches viola to students at the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, 2600 S. Broad St., where he attended elementary and junior high school. In addition, Stanley plays for the Philadelphia All-City Orchestra, comprised of 90 specially selected high school students from the Philadelphia public school system, and works as a string intern for a nonprofit musical enrichment program called Musicopia.
“Between practicing, teaching, and rehearsing, I’m always playing for several hours per day,” Stanley said. “Some days are busier than others, depending on the amount of work I have, but I always try to play for many hours per day.”
50240399
50240309
