The Manilow Music Project
2026 Cincinnati Winner: Kyle Phillips, Princeton Middle and High School
The Manilow Music Project presents the Manilow Music Teacher Award to outstanding local music educators in cities along Barry Manilow's concert tour.
Mr. Phillips was nominated by the Princeton Music Boosters and the Cincinnati Enquirer. Community members and students voted daily for Mr. Phillips through February 2026 via local updates shared daily from January 30th to February 12th by the Princeton Music Boosters and Princeton City Schools.
A select few learned the secret that Mr. Phillips was selected as the winner in mid-February; however, the March 5, 2026 concert, where he was originally supposed to be recognized, was canceled due to Barry Manilow’s health. Fortunately, the concert was rescheduled, and Mr. Phillips was recognized on August 5, 2026, at Heritage Bank Arena in downtown Cincinnati.
Award Details
The Prize: A $10,000 total value, split with $5,000 going directly to the winning teacher and $5,000 in instruments and supplies for their school.
Selection Process: The community and media (Cincinnati.com/Enquirer) submitted nominations, and local winners were chosen through online public voting.
Recognition: Winners meet Barry Manilow backstage before receiving on-stage recognition during the concert.
Other Recent Recipients with a Princeton Connection
Gretchen Zunic (Columbus, OH), who recently retired from Upper Arlington as a music teacher, was honored during the August 2026 show at Nationwide Arena. Gretchen Wyder-Zunic, Class of 1987 (Susan Wyder’s daughter), was inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in November 2021.