BIO – Honorable Mention Award 2018

Drs. James and Wanda Trefil Honorable Mention Award
in memory of Sylvia Mestek Trefil

Drs. James and Wanda Trefil are both educators and opera lovers.  They take delight in finding and rewarding talented young people, and helping them to fulfill their goals.  Dr. James Trefil is a Clarence J. Robinson Professor of Physics at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, and author of 50 books on scientific subjects.  Jim’s mom, Sylvia Mestek Trefil, introduced him to Lyric Opera in his home town of Chicago, and he continues to sing Bass in his church choir.  In honor of Jim’s mother, Jim and Wanda sponsor the “Sylvia Trefil Honorable Mention Award” for Partners for the Arts.   Dr. Wanda Trefil spent her life teaching in public schools as a Chorus and Musical Theater Director.  She is a pianist who enjoys accompanying singers.  To honor Wanda’s Polish heritage, the Trefils established the “Drs. James and Wanda Trefil Science Scholarship” through the Kościuszko Foundation, to help outstanding undergraduate students of Polish descent.  The Trefils have chaired the WIPAC International Piano Competition held in Washington DC, and sponsor the Chopin Prize awarded by WIPAC.  They support the Friends of Music of George Mason University with fund-raising events to raise money for student productions and scholarships at the School of Music of GMU.  The Trefils are delighted to be part of the Partners for the Arts family, and look forward to all the activities.