Choral director honored with PMEA award
May 1, 2023
The Citation of Excellence recognizes “PMEA members who have made lasting contributions in their area of teaching.” The award is presented annually to individuals representing each of PMEA’s 12 districts. PMEA District 1 encompasses Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties, which includes 94 school districts.
In his letter of support, Dr. John Seybert, USC performing arts curriculum leader and director of high school bands, stated that Miss Milovac’s dedication and service to music education at all levels makes her an excellent candidate for this recognition.
“Teaching is not just a career for Lorraine; it is her life,” Dr. Seybert said. “Her commitment and passion for excellence are evidenced in all aspects of her work with individuals and ensembles.”
Miss Milovac teaches Theater, co-teaches AP Music Theory, and directs the Women's Choir, Clarion Choir, Men's Ensemble, Pantheon Choir and the Chanteclairs at Upper St. Clair High School. She serves as adviser for the International Thespian Society and Tri-M Music Honors Society, and is the vocal director for the spring musical. Prior to joining the Upper St. Clair faculty in 2005, Miss Milovac served as the high school choral director in the Woodland Hills School District.
In addition to nominations from her Upper St. Clair music colleagues, Dr. Seybert and Christine Hestwood, as well as Dr. Timothy Wagner, USCHS principal, Miss Milovac was also nominated for the award by several music directors from throughout the region. Among the nominators was Shaun Cloonan, North Hills High School choral director.
“It was an honor to join with our small group of choral director friends, along with Ms. Hestwood at USC, in recommending this honor for Lorraine from PMEA District 1,” he said. “I can think of no one more deserving of a Citation of Excellence than Miss Lorraine Milovac!”
In addition to being a friend and colleague, Mr. Cloonan was among Miss Milovac’s first students when she began her teaching career at Woodland Hills High School.
“I’ve had the honor and privilege of working with and learning from Lorraine for 30 years as I was one of her students when she began at Woodland Hills High School,” he said. “Miss Milovac is one of the hardest working, most dedicated, caring, and selfless educators I’ve known. It was through her support and encouragement that I entered the music education field myself and have almost the same job across town. She has been a constant friend and mentor to me in my 20+ years of teaching at North Hills, and I know the students at Upper St. Clair are lucky to work with such an accomplished musician that brings out the best in her choral ensembles.”
In addition to her roles at Upper St. Clair, Miss Milovac has served as the director of the Women’s Choral Ensemble at the University of Pittsburgh for the last 24 years. She also serves as the assistant music director at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair.
In 2013, Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra named Miss Milovac one of its Music Educators of the Year. In 2009, she was selected as one of the top 100 teachers among 83 school districts in the Teacher Excellence Center program.
