Photo of Sean Panikkar: Courtesy Kristina Sherk

It was another banner year for our friends up on Charley Hill Road at the Seagle Music Colony.

Not only did they have one of their best seasons in terms of identifying and training new talent, there was also a huge grant to help them grow.

But in what may have been one of their most outstanding achievements in their history, one of their alums became a national sensation, helping shine the spotlight on the Colony.

We are talking about Sean Panikkar, and his phenomenal success with the group Forte, a finalist on the NBC hit show “America’s Got Talent. As we previously reported, one of the defining moments in Sean’s career was his formal training at the Seagle Colony in 2002.

We recently caught up with Seagle director Tony Kostecki who has been in contact with Sean.

“It was a great thing for him and it got him a lot of attention. He’s continuing his own career and there’s a lot going on with Forte," Tony told Schroon Laker.

Is there a chance we will see him back in Schroon Lake one day?

“It’s possible,” Tony said with a smile on his face.

The other outstanding news for Seagle was an early Christmas gift in early December. That’s when the Colony received an “amazing” early centennial present - a substantial grant of $118,100, as part of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council's strategic plan.

Tony says the funds will “assist us in upgrading some of our campus facilities, and help us get the word out to new audiences about our exciting Centennial year in 2015”.

Meanwhile it’s not to late to make your end fully tax deductible donation. Visit the Seagle website here, for more information.