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

2022 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

Cindy Balistreri believes music and the arts are for all students 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 including Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Sarasota Orchestra, Perlman Music Program Suncoast/Itzhak Perlman, and The Patterson Foundation.

As the arts education manager for the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County (formerly the Sarasota County Arts Council), she worked with schools, teaching artists, and community organizations, participated in grant writing, and more. Mrs. Balistreri received the Arts Leadership Award for Education from the Alliance in 1996.

The Patterson Foundation contracted with the Arts and 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.

As a consultant for The Patterson Foundation, Mrs. Balistreri served as the co-initiative manager of EdExploreSRQ.com, an online platform for arts and cultural opportunities in Sarasota County that include field trips, speakers, and virtual activities for K-12 students.

Additionally, Mrs. Balistreri served on the boards of many organizations. She was the first president of the Sarasota Association for Music Education (1989-91). She also served as FMEA president (2006-07) as well as president of the FMEA 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 quality time with her husband, Lenny, and her family.