Dee Dee Panero Paakkari wins Grammy Signature Schools Grant

Dee Dee Panero Paakkari ’80, the director of the John Marshall High School music program in Los Angeles, was awarded a Grammy Signature Schools Grant for 2018-2020. The Music Education alum accepted the award after conducting her mandorchestra at a gala ceremony at the GRAMMY Museum in October.

Since 1995, Paakkari has led the symphony and mandorchestra while overseeing the guitar/modern band program at Marshall High. She also co-produces the Los Feliz/Silverlake community public school annual showcase, “Bach, Rock & Shakespeare” at The Greek Theatre.

This Spring, she will happily mentor a USC Thornton Music Teaching & Learning student teacher at Marshall High.

John Marshall High School students perform at GRAMMY Museum Signature Schools event on Oct. 17, 2018. (Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage)