Guitar Award earned by Pinchok

Hillcrest Healthcare recently awarded 2023 Farragut High School graduate Elizabeth “Ella” Pinchok with The Gifted Guitarist Legacy Award in honor of former resident Richard L. David, who frequently played and performed for fellow residents and staff before passing away last year.

Richard gave his acoustic Harmony guitar to the Beverly Park Place community, which decided to give it to a Knox County Schools performing arts student who exemplified the same passion for music and the desire to impact others, according to a Hillcrest press release.

“Richard was a cherished resident who lived in the Beverly Park Place community,” Barry Davis, CEO of Hillcrest Healthcare, stated in a press release. “He spent a lifetime around guitars and entertained the team and his fellow residents by playing his Harmony guitar. He lifted everyone’s spirits through his music. ... Ella is such an outstanding and well-rounded student, musician and person, and we congratulate her as she continues to share her music.”

Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, David began taking guitar lessons at age 10, and after military service and college worked in the family guitar store before opening his own shop.

Pinchok, who was chosen based on an extensive list of credentials — which includes local performances, high school band, theatre, original songwriting, multiple music accolades and advanced music classes — will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville this fall.

Pinchok will study music education in the fall as a University of Tennessee freshman and will march with the Pride of the Southland Band.

She teaches private flute classes and has her own art business. Pinchok is a member of National Honors Society and National Art Honors Society and currently performs with the Concord United Methodist youth/student band and worship team.