STEUBEN — Bagaduce Music has announced that Steve Orlofsky and Ellis Zipperer-Sánchez are the winners of the new Community Flamekeepers Awards. The awards honor tradition bearers— “Guiding Lights” like Orlofsky, who have preserved and nurtured musical heritage in Maine communities, and the emerging generation of “Bright Sparks” like Zipperer-Sánchez, who carry traditions forward with fresh energy in Maine and beyond.
Orlofsky and Zipperer-Sánchez will be honored on Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at a concert featuring The Minor Characters & The Mark Tipton Jazz Quartet at TunkJoy Bakery, 61 Rogers Point Road, Steuben.
Orlofsky retired in 2021 after teaching for 43 years at George Stevens and Fort Fairfield high schools. His students won multiple jazz performance awards at state, regional and national jazz festivals including Maine State Instrumental Jazz Festival, the Berklee College of Music Jazz Festival in Boston, the National Jazz Festival in Philadelphia and Great East Music Festival in Methuen, Massachusetts. Beloved “Mr. O” is a highly sought after saxophone player in ensembles and bands across Maine.
Zipperer-Sánchez is a high school student at Shead High School in Eastport. A member of the high school jazz band since sixth grade, Ellis has won gold medals for jazz performance at regional and state competitions, including this year where he was the first performer to enter and win the Maine State Jazz Festival Gold Medal for Performance as well as The Dale F. Huff outstanding musician award! He has been accepted to the prestigious Interlochen Performing Arts Academy in Michigan.
According to Bagaduce Music Executive Director Bennett Konesni, “We want to honor individuals whose contributions keep music vibrant, meaningful, and alive.” At select concerts during the season, Bagaduce Music will publicly recognize special individuals, symbolically passing the flame from a Guiding Light to a Bright Spark, keeping the flames going in the hall during each performance. Each recipient will receive a beautiful, locally crafted beeswax candle from Sparky’s Apiaries, symbolizing warmth, continuity and the illuminating power of music passed through generations.
This initiative underscores the organization’s commitment to fostering a deep appreciation of cultural continuity, highlighting both seasoned and newer artists who shape the musical landscape. By celebrating their dedication and talent, Bagaduce Music aims to strengthen connections within our community, inspire future flamekeepers and honor the legacy and innovation inherent in the living tradition of music.
For more information about the Flamekeepers Award, for tickets to the concert April 26 visit www.bagaducemusic.org.
