BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A Bethlehem native and classical musician hit a high note in his career.
Violinist Domenic Salerni celebrated his first Grammy win last week backstage in Los Angeles with some of his favorite stars such as Lizzo, Madison Cunningham and Louis Cole.
- Domenic Salerni, a graduate of Broughal Middle School and Liberty High School, won a Grammy for his work on "Shaw: Evergreen"
- A former teacher says the honor comes as no surprise
- A violinist, Salerni is a member of the Attacca Quartet
"It's an incredible honor," he said of the win. "I was completely caught off guard. It was such a humbling moment."
Salerni is a violinist who has been a world-touring musician since 2008. He performed on "Shaw: Evergreen" by the Attacca Quartet — an album that was nominated in the Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance category.
The other quartets in the ensemble category included the Dover Quartet, Neave Trio, Third Coast Percussion and PUBLIQuartet.
To be included among those groups was both incredible and surreal, Salerni said in a telephone interview.
"The ensemble from the Dover Quartet are pretty good friends of mine, the PUBLIQuartet are in some ways even closer," he said. "(Cellist) Andy Akiho and I went to school together. To see my friends and colleagues in the same category was so inspirational. I got to meet them and see people that I have grown up with."
A second home
In between touring and teaching, the Brooklyn-based musician tries to visit his parents — father Paul, a composer and longtime music professor at Lehigh University, and mother Laura Johnson, a freelance opera and stage director.
"Bethlehem has always been a supportive place musically, and I'm back here pretty often," he said. "Last summer, I did a residency with the quartet at Lehigh University where we performed some of my father's music, and I also played at an event for the newPride center at Lehigh, which is a wonderful thing to see at an institution that is not publicly known for being open and inclusive. It was super cool and it's a step in the right direction."
Hometown ties
Salerni developed his talent during his years at Broughal Middle School and Liberty High School in Bethlehem, where he graduated in 2005.
He finished his post-secondary education at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Yale University School of Music.
"As a student — not just the wunderkind he was — Dominic was pleasant, participated in class discussions, and was an amiable and likable student."Ronald Spier, Domenic Salerni's music teacher at Broughal Middle School
His past awards include the ArtsATL’s “30 Under 30” Award, the Yale Chamber Music Society Award, the Phyllis Curtin Career Entry Award, Finalist of the Sion-Valais International Violin Competition, and Finalist of the M Prize as a member of the band Foundry.
Ronald Spier is retired but was one of Salerni's music teachers at Broughal Middle School.
Long before meeting the young star, Spier had heard about his talents.
"What could I possibly teach this child of such cultured and educated parents? I took day by day waiting for that day when he might correct me and state that I was wrong about something in music. That day never came," Spier said via email. "Domenic was as polite and mannerly and respected by his classmates as anyone could possibly be."
"As a student — not just the wunderkind he was — Dominic was pleasant, participated in class discussions, and was an amiable and likable student."
The two connected again years later when Spier was the director of music at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bethlehem.
"One day I received notice that Domenic was visiting his parents and would play in church if we wanted him. Want him? Oh, yes! We wanted him! Several different occasions Domenic played in his home church and always we were all thrilled," Spier said.
"Domenic was destined for success. His winning a Grammy is an honor that most of us who know him personally could have predicted. If one ever has the chance to meet him the surprise will be on them as he is friendly, personable, and very humble."
