2022 FMEA HALL OF FAME This prestigious award honors individuals for outstanding contributions over an extended period of time to music and education in Florida, as well as throughout the nation.
Lucinda (Cindy) Balistreri 2 0 2 2 H A L L O F FA M E I N DUC T E E
Cindy Balistreri believes music and the arts are for all stu-
dents and are a vital part of a complete education. She retired as the fine arts program specialist for the Sarasota County
School District in 2009 after 38 years of service to her community. Cindy has called Sarasota home since early childhood
and attended public schools in Sarasota County beginning
in the second grade. She graduated from Sarasota High School and then earned the AA at Manatee Junior College
in Bradenton, the BME from Florida State University, and
the MS in educational administration/supervision from the
University of South Florida. Mrs. Balistreri taught elementary
music at Booker North Elementary School from 1971 to 1981 and at Phillippi Shores Elementary School from 1981 to 1995.
She was twice named Teacher of the Year for Phillippi Shores (1983, 1992) and was Teacher of the Year for Sarasota County
in 1992. She taught chorus and orchestra at Brookside Middle School (1996-97) before assuming the role of fine arts program specialist for Sarasota County in 1997.
In addition to her roles with the Sarasota County School
District, Mrs. Balistreri consulted with organizations includ-
ing Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Sarasota Orchestra,
Perlman Music Program Suncoast/Itzhak Perlman, and The
As a consultant for The Patterson Foundation, Mrs. Balistreri
Patterson Foundation.
served as the co-initiative manager of EdExploreSRQ.com,
Alliance of Sarasota County (formerly the Sarasota County
Sarasota County that include field trips, speakers, and virtual
As the arts education manager for the Arts and Cultural
Arts Council), she worked with schools, teaching artists, and
community organizations, participated in grant writing, and
an online platform for arts and cultural opportunities in activities for K-12 students.
Additionally, Mrs. Balistreri served on the boards of many
more. Mrs. Balistreri received the Arts Leadership Award for
organizations. She was the first president of the Sarasota
The Patterson Foundation contracted with the Arts and
FMEA president (2006-07) as well as president of the FMEA
Education from the Alliance in 1996.
Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County for the opening of Patriot
Plaza, an amphitheater and outdoor art museum at Sarasota National Cemetery. Patriot Plaza includes five large artworks
with 49 documentary photographs embedded in marble. Mrs.
Balistreri wrote scripts for tours, trained docents/guides, and scheduled community tours. She also created scripts and
lesson/activity packets for grades 4-5, grades 7-8, and grades 9-12, and scheduled school tours. All tours focused on Patriot Plaza’s themes of patriotism, service, and freedom.
38 F l o r i d a
Music Director
Association for Music Education (1989-91). She also served as
component organizations FEMEA and FMSA. Her article “Back from the Brink” about Sarasota County’s cutting of the
arts followed by their restoration in just one year appeared in Teaching Music Magazine, published by NAfME (formerly
MENC). Mrs. Balistreri served on Florida DOE Writing Teams for Music K-8, Art K-8, and Music Course Descriptions for 6-12. She received the FMEA Leadership Award in 2003.
Cindy is enjoying retired life, traveling and spending qual-
ity time with her husband, Lenny, and her family.
