Barry Manilow honors Hopkins grad at concert

Daniel Perelstein's love of teaching was recently recognized by pop icon Barry Manilow.

Barry Manilow’s goodbye tour included an Aug. 2 stop at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, where he honored Perelstein, a Lakeville man and music teacher at Washington Technology Magnet High School in St. Paul, with $10,000. The honored educator was given $5,000 for his school and $5,000 for himself.

Perelstein grew up in Golden Valley and graduated from Hopkins High School. He told Sun Newspapers there were three people compelling him to become a music teacher: His mother, a teacher; his father, a lawyer and jazz musician; and the late Don Bates, his band teacher.

Bates was "one of those iconic, legendary band teachers," Perelstein said.

In addition to teaching high school band, orchestra and guitar, Perelstein is in two bands. He plays clarinet in the 1st John Philip Sousa Memorial Band of Edina. He also plays clarinet in Jewbalaya, a new klezmer and traditional New Orleans jazz group. Jewbalaya released an album titled “A Schmaltzy Stew” earlier this summer as well as a single titled “The Shavua Tov Song” last year.

"Not only does it bring me complete joy as I'm playing, but I just love interacting with with the audience," Perelstein said. He's also interested in music theory and history.

Perelstein’s mother, Gail Perelstein, still lives in Golden Valley. She told Sun Newspapers she was extremely proud of her son.