The 2011 winners of the “Robert H. Novack Memorial Music Awards” are Shannon Komisarchik of Nautilus Middle School and Srivishnu Ramankutty of Ruth K. Broad K-8 School.

Shannon Komisarchik , graduating from Nautilus Middle School on Miami Beach, has been selected as a winner of the established honor, popularly known as “The Bob Novack Music Awards”. Shannon is a classical pianist who has also trained and performed in Jazz and been a member of the Nautilus Jazz Band under the direction of Ray Modia. Shannon has achieved excellence in music performance, and has presented numerous recitals and concerts for her school and community. Her excellence has earned widespread acclaim.

Srivishnu Ramankutty, graduating from Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 and preparing to enter the New World School of the Arts, is an outstanding musician focusing on the viola and violin. He has been the Concertmaster of the school orchestra, has attended All State Orchestra as one of Florida’s finest young musicians, and he performs in the South Florida Youth Symphony. Music educator Nicolas Repetto at the school has been enormously impressed with Srivishnu and his continuously rising talent.

Each year the Bob Novack Music Award is presented at both Nautilus Middle School and Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 School to outstanding music students chosen by the schools’ music departments. The award is given in memory of the late Bob Novack, a life-long musician, band leader and music educator. Mr. Novack performed with famous bands throughout the United States including the Glenn Miller Band, and he led the Bob Novack Orchestras in South Florida for four decades. The awards are presented by his son, Paul Novack, former Mayor of Surfside. For more information, background, and a list of award winners, see the Archives.

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