Nijolė Pavasarienė, prominent music educator, dies

Nijolė Pavasarienė, a prominent music educator, longtime director of the Varėna Jadvygos Čiurlionytė Art School, and active community figure in the Varėna region, has passed away.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Pavasarienė was deeply involved in the cultural life of Varėna. Under her leadership, the music school became a central pillar of the local cultural scene. She was instrumental in the 2012 initiative to name the school after Jadvyga Čiurlionytė, creating a link between the region's musical heritage and new generations of musicians.

Pavasarienė focused heavily on student development, training many young performers who went on to win awards and pursue musical careers both in Lithuania and abroad. Beyond the school, she was a key organizer of regional music festivals and song celebrations, and she founded the ‘Rūta’ women's ensemble at the Varėna Cultural Center.