Tri-Campus Director of Strings Dimitri Hadjipetkov wins the 2016 Founders' Cup Award!
Congratulations to the Tri-Campus Director of Strings, Dimitri Hadjipetkov who was named the recipient of the 2016 Founders' Cup for Teaching Excellence. Presented annually by the Alumni Association, the Founders' Cup is based on nominations from all MKA constituencies. The award honors a full-time faculty member who exemplifies the highest levels of teaching and who contributes to the well-being of the MKA community, both in and out of school.
Hadjipetkov began studying violin at the age of five and has since established himself as one of the most prominent representatives of the young generation of Bulgarian violinists. He has appeared with various orchestras and has given numerous recitals around the world. Dimitri works with students on all three campuses and has created and evolved the MKA strings program into the great success it is today. He said of being given this award, "Thank you all so much, I am humbled to receive this honor. "
Alumni Council president Jaclyn Spedaliere '00 presented the award at the end of year faculty meeting, reading quotes from students, alumni, parents and peers received on Dimitri's behalf, among which were the following:
"Dimitri inspires me to want to play better, to practice more and to love music. His patience is remarkable and every day of strings is a fun and new experience. From culture hours, to full 75 minute rehearsals, I always leave strings smiling. Not only do we have fun each class, but we also learn. Because of this, I do not think that any of us every realize how much we know or how much we have improved. His kindness and talent in teaching really make him one of a kind. I truly believe that no other teacher is as worthy of this award as Dimitri."
"He could be the only faculty member in history who is on a first name basis with everyone! His expertise is welcoming students to music, and keeping them interested throughout the years. Whether a child is willing to become an expert, or just have musical fun, he will instruct and keep them moving in the right direction. As I sat in last night's middle school choral performance, I realized how important someone like Dimitri is in balancing our children's abilities and drive for so many years. His arrangements range from Bach to Beatles to Star Wars, and the Carnegie Hall Performances are unforgettable."
"Not only is Dimitri completely devoted to music, he is completely devoted to helping us appreciate and love music as much as he does. He does this by making the class enjoyable for us, and by giving us an environment in which we are not afraid to mess up, but we are eager to play well. He makes me want to succeed in strings by teaching me to enjoy and appreciate the music I play, and he is always more than happy to help me succeed when I am struggling."
"Dimitri has always been my favorite teacher at MKA. These past four years, he has pushed me to the best of my ability. Not only has he been an excellent conductor, but he has taken the time to work individually with each student during his free time in order for the student to master the music. He truly cares about each one of his students and wants only the best for them. In my career at MKA, I would say that he has offered me hundreds of lessons during his free time and is always willing to help me with the music that I play in other orchestras or other outside of school groups. He serves as an excellent role model, teacher, and friend. He is more than willing to go out of his way to help his students whether it is music related or any other matter. In class, he makes a conscious effort to teach us the music, but he also goes into more detail about the music history behind the piece, the emotions that were put into the piece when it was written, music theory, and he uses MKA's technology resources to show us famous musicians playing the piece. He has gone beyond what is expected of him and proves to be an excellent teacher. My experience at MKA would not be complete without Dimitri's help in strings class, in our private lessons, and outside of the classroom. Dimitri is more than deserving of the Founder's Cup. He has dedicated years of service and has inspired many students to become string players and has made MKA's string program one of the best in the state."