Long Island High School for the Arts is a Nassau BOCES program
From the Principal's Desk for our LIHSA Families
Remote Edition: June 12, 2020
Our Final 2019-20 School Year Newsletter!
Congratulations Class of 2020!
On Thursday, June 11 our Class of 2020 graduates came to LIHSA to receive their graduation certificates and be cheered on by LIHSA teachers and administrators. We also thank Nassau BOCES Board of Education President Susan Bergtraum, Board member Eric Schultz, and Executive Director of Regional Schools and Instructional Programs Carla Theodorou for attending our festive day as well to celebrate our graduates. Check out photos from our graduation event on Facebook. Thank you to our 77 graduates: each one of you have played an integral role in the betterment of our LIHSA community. You have shown that you can continue to stretch and learn within your own art form while also becoming an active member of a world where artists are using their voices to speak out for social justice. You have not only survived in a moment in time that was unprecedented and overwhelming, but you came through shining. Not only is LIHSA a better place because you were here but you are making your mark in the world.
Excerpt from the musical lyrics of Stephen Schwartz in "For Good"
I've heard it said, That people come into our lives for a reason Bringing something we must learn.
And we are led to those Who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return.
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true But I know I'm who I am today Because I knew you.
Like a comet pulled from orbit as it passes the sun, Like a stream that meets a boulder halfway through the wood.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better But because I knew you I have been changed for good.
A Year in Review
There could be no more appropriate time to use the expression "It Takes a Village" than our 2019-20 school year.
This was the year LIHSA approved by New York State as a CTE Program, a designation that should eliminate barriers for many students who wish to attend! This milestone was achieved thanks to a village that has been working steadily on making this possible. We can look back at an important fall event, when LIHSA hosted "An Afternoon with Billy Joel and Guests." Billy Joel continues to be a most incredible advocate for LIHSA and helped make the case to the audience filled with District Superintendents and other key district administrators of the importance of LIHSA in students' lives. Also beautifully articulating the importance of a school like LIHSA to provide a career pathway to art students were special guests: Cheri Walsh, (then) Executive Director of Exploring the Arts; Andy Friedman, LIHSA grad and Cartoonist/Artist/Musician; Michael Trusnovec, LIHSA grad and professional principal dancer (retired) for Paul Taylor; David Rosenthal, Musician in Billy Joel's band; Richard Toda, American Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Coordinator of Educational Outreach.
Over the course of the year, we established our group ofI ndustry Advisors who have been instrumental to providing feedback and guidance in our CTE curriculum development. In addition, our Advisors are made of industry professionals that have helped advocate, opened doors for us and conducted Master Classes. We are so grateful for their promotion, support and help for LIHSA throughout the year.
We began artistic residencies this year that were extraordinary and set the seeds for the work-based learning experiences that will be in place next year. Artists who were in residence this year who will continue next year include ABT, Notes in Motion with Enya-Kalia Jordan, and Batoto Yetu.
We also had more Master Classes than ever - both before the shutdown and also some extraordinary opportunities after that came from artists true desire to give back and connect at this unprecedented time. Several of those Master Classes were with LIHSA Alums who have so much to give and share with our current students.
Thank you to our teachers and students who pivoted quickly to on-line instruction and worked so incredibly hard and creatively throughout the entire year. A special shout-out to our instructors and staff in their first year: Erica Pac Giglio, Dale Stuckenbruck, Stephanie Falciano, Chris Brick and Adam Berch who became incredible members of our LIHSA family immediately, even while working from their own homes.
We are grateful to Nassau BOCES Board and Administrators for their support for all we do, with special thanks to Dr. Robert Dillon, our Superintendent and Dr. Carla Theodorou, Executive Director of Regional Schools and Instructional Programs.
Take a Friend to Dance! Bring a Friend to Dance Day was a huge success!
More than 50 total students with ages ranging from 4 - 18 participated in four different classes. LIHSA's National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Officers and Seniors Molly McGee, Deanna Monty, Erin Morrisey and Isabella Aletrakis, with leadership from Chapter President Taylor Wagner organized the entire event. Students advertised Bring a Friend to Dance Day on social media and in their local community dance studios. They created the lesson plan for each of the classes, and co-taught the exercises and activities. Juniors, Isabella Craven, Shannon Altman and Ava Pappalardo represented the returning members by participating in the classes as models and assistants. Ms. Natalie L'Etoile, Chapter Advisor has received many thanks and praise from students who participated in the event and their parents.
Congratulations LIHSA NHSDA on your success! Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Student Run Shows
Congratulations to our LIHSA students on their Student Run show presentations on Wednesday!
HUE AND CRY Music Une Barque Sur L’ocean from Miroirs Artist Andre Laplante Performed by Shannon Altman
TANGO Music Hernando’s Hideaway Choreography by Stephanie Falciano & Dancers Performed By: Jared Alequin, Julia Davolio, Daniella Jasuja, Patrick Messmer, Alexa Mitchell, Ava Pappalardo, Katey Rusgo, Taylor Rifkin, Peter Sansky-Traficanti, Cameron Thompson
WOMAN From the Pirate Queen Composer Claude-Michel Schonberg Performed by Carly Corsitto
HATE TO SEE YOUR HEART BREAK Music ”Hate To See Your Heart Break” Artist Paramore and Joy Williams Performed by Ava Pappalardo
SOMEONE GETS HURT From Mean Girls the Musical Music by Jeff Richmond Lyrics by Neil Benjamin Performed by Dante Sigona
12:22 AM Music ”Every Way” Artist Rex Orange Count Performed by Erin Morrisey
SAFER From the musical First Date Music & Lyrics by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner Performed by Shannon Hetzel
HALLELUJAH VIENNESE WALTZ Music ”Hallelujah” Artist Pentatonix Choreography by Stephanie Falciano. & Dancers Performed By: Jared Alequin, Shannon Altman, Jaiden Anthony, Aaliyah Miller, Erin Morrisey, Ava Pappalardo, Sahyma Rosier, Taylor Wagner
COME OUT AND PLAY Music ”Come Out And Play” Artist Billie Eilish Choreography by Taylor Wagner Performed by Taylor Wagner
EASY TO BE HARD From the Rock Musical Hair Songwriters Galt MacDermot, James Rado, & Gerome Ragni Performed by Kassidy Rieder
GOOD RIDDANCE Songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong Performed by James Erxleben
Student Run Show Organizers Amanda Blitz, Shannon Carlson, Maria Pironi, Taylor Wagner
Performance Program Amanda Blitz Jerry Nobile
Video Editing Erik Chocianowski Jerry Nobile
PM STUDENT RUN SHOW WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 2020 12:00 PM
CHECKING IN Playwriter Joseph Arnone Performed by Peter Sansky-Traficanti
HOT HONEY RAG From Chicago Composer John Kander Choreographer Bob Fosse Performed by Allyson Adam & Carly Corsitto
PRETTY THING Songwriter Melissa Diers Performed by Melissa Diers
WITCHCRAFT Music ”Witchcraft” Performed by Frank Sinatra Choreography by Stephanie Falciano & Dancers Performed By: Allyson Adam, Ana Cooke, Isabella Craven, Emma Dalessio, Katelyn Harold, Marie Pugliano, Taylor Rifkin, Peter Sansky-Traficanti, Jordana Swimmer
GOODBYE From Catch Me If You Can Music & Lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman Performed by Joey Colavolpe
DISSMULE Music ”A Lovers Complaint” by Max Richter Choreographer Isabella Aletrakis Performed by Isabella Aletrakis
AN OPEN LETTER Music ”Piano Man” by Billy Joel Performed by Giannina Maresca & Meghan Bonser
IMAGINE Music ”Imagine” by John Lennon Choreography by Stephanie Falciano. & Dancers Performed By: Isabella Aletrakis, Meghan Bonser, Ana Cooke, Isabella Craven, Jacqueline Edwards, Shoshana Markowitz, Deanna Monty, Marie Pugliano, Taylor Rifkin, Tysia Springer, Alexa Weltman
THE CYCLE Songwriter Julia Davolio Performed by Julia Davolio
PARACHUTES Music by Trevor Hill & Sam Marcus Choreographer Jacqueline Edwards Performed by Jacqueline Edwards
I’M NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING From Songs For A New World Music & Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown Performed by Katelyn Harold
MY WAY Music ”My Way” by Frank Sinatra Choreographer Meghan Bonser Performed by Meghan Bonser
MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE Songwriter Bob Dylan Performed by Allyson Adam
PRODUCTION CREW Production Coordinator Jerry Nobile
Student Run Show Organizers Isabella Aletrakis Katelyn Harold Olivia Lev Ariel Wiener
Performance Program Olivia Lev
Video Editing Erik Chocianowski Jerry Nobile
Celebration of the Arts
Thank you to all the esteemed faculty, alumni and special guests who made last week's Celebration of the Arts such a wonderful event. And another round of applause to Katelyn Harold, our distinguished senior speaker.
Thank you to the following participants:
Virtual Art Installation by Jason Cuvelier, LIHSA Faculty Senior Slideshow set to original music by LIHSA Students George Ariza; Daniella Jasuja; Justin Bethea; Benjamin Negrin; Melissa Diers; Shaakirah Nazim-Harris
Faculty & Alumni Performances “Moment In The Woods” From the Musical Into the Woods Music by Stephen Sondheim Performed by Victoria Huston Elem, LIHSA Alumni
Henri Wieniawski Caprie Valse In E major Op 7 Performed by Dale Stuckenbruck, LIHSA Faculty and Heawon Kim, Guest Musician
“Clean Kill” A film by Erik Chocianowski LIHSA Faculty
“Keep Holding On” Music by Avril Lavigne Performed by Kimberly Larkin, LIHSA Faculty “Don’t Start Now” Music by Dya Lipa Performed by Alyssa Mener, LIHSA Alumni
“Send In the Clowns” Performed by Stephanie Colesanti, LIHSA Faculty
“I Can’t Stand Still” From the Musical Footloose Music by Tom Snow Lyrics by Dean Pitchford Performed by Chris Brick, LIHSA Faculty
“Voi Che Sepete” An aria sung in Italian Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Performed by Eugenia Roszczenko Kurianowicz, LIHSA Faculty and Accompanist Francis Lees, LIHSA Faculty
“Escape from Quarantine” A film by Adam Berch, LIHSA Faculty
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Music by Harold Arlen Lyrics by Yip Harburg Performed by Erica Giglio Pac, LIHSA Faculty
“Miles Gone” Performed by L’aura Bagdziunas, LIHSA Faculty and Heather Conn, LIHSA Alumni
“But Not For Me” Artist. Chet Baker Performed by Mark Cocheo, LIHSA Faculty; Matt Costello, LIHSA Alumni
“Your Bright Baby Blues” Music by Jackson Browne Performed by Andy Friedman, LIHSA Alumni
“Time Heals Everything” From the Musical Mack & Mabel Written by Jerry Herman Performed by James Crichton Recently seen in Playwright’s Horizon Production of Unknown Soldier
Summer @ LIHSA
We will be offering some Open Houses this summer that are in development. Please email Erica Pac Giglio or Dr. Chris Rogutsky Bleecker if you'd like to refer students over the summer.
We are also offering our Summer Arts Academy through a Virtual Platform. Please get more information on the website.
HOMESCHOOL MUSICAL Applications Due Monday, June 16
For all the talented teenagers who missed their spring musical performance due to school closings: apply for Laura Benanti-Brown's new special for HBO Max, HOMESCHOOL MUSICAL. Deadline is Monday the 16th! School's Out: Enjoy Your Summer!
Thank you again to our entire LIHSA Community for coming together and creating such a team-driven positive environment for art and learning to continue to thrive this year.
Barbara DelMonaco & Nurse Debbie Holbrook -- we will miss you more than words can express.
We can't wait to see our students - in person - again next fall. Have a wonderful and safe summer! Long Island High School for the Arts | 239 Cold Spring Road, Syosset, NY 11791 | 516-622-5678| www.longislandhighschoolforthearts.org
Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Nassau Regional Schools and Instructional Programs County Dr. Carla Theodorou, Executive Director Susan Bergtraum, President Judith A. Hynes, Assistant Director Deborah Coates, Vice President Jyoti Sood, Supervisor of Data and Technology Michael Weinick, District Clerk Fran N. Langsner, Vice District Clerk Long Island High School for the Arts Ronald Ellerbe Dr. Christine Rogutsky Bleecker, Principal Martin R. Kaye Robert "B.A." Schoen www.longislandhighschoolforthearts.org Eric B. Schultz Dr. Robert R. Dillon, District Superintendent Nassau BOCES does not discriminate James R. Widmer, Associate Superintendent for Business Services Dr. RG France, Associate Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Services www.nassauboces.org
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