Huntington Musicians in Long Island String Festival
An exceptional group of young musicians from the Huntington School District will be participating in this year's Long Island String Festival concert series. It's considered an honor to be selected for the event and it raises the profile of each student chosen for one of the ensembles.
"The LISFA Festival is the most competitive festival for orchestra students on Long Island, as there is only one orchestra at each level for all of Suffolk County," said Joan R. Fretz, district director of fine and performing arts. "We are so proud of the Huntington students who are representing us this year. Their performances are incredibly impressive and professional. Their talents and dedication to hard work shine through in every note."
Woodhull fifth graders Matthew Gennarelli (viola), Abigail Holmes (cello), Catherine Jamison (viola), Keenan Lyons (violin), Aedan McDonald (bass), Julien Rentsch (cello) and sixth grader Hannah Bailin (cello) and J. Taylor Finley Middle School seventh graders Anthony Puglisi (cello) and Max Robins (seventh grade) were selected for the elementary/middle school festival comprised of musicians in grades 5-7..
Finley eighth grader Christian Verfenstein (violin), Huntington High School freshmen Holly Grabowski (viola), Melany Lanham-Ciancia (violin), Zach Perea (violin) and Jessica Straub (bass), sophomore Hailey Giordano (viola), juniors Monica Owen (violin), Benjamin Nikodem (bass), Ashley Melgar (violin) and Christian Jamison (violin) and seniors Jennifer Polster (violin) and Melanie Grossman (viola) were chosen for the high school/junior high school festival, which is comprised of musicians in grades 8-12.
There are many talented string students from Huntington chosen to participate in the Long Island String Festivals," said Lisa Leonardi, Huntington High School's orchestra director. "In fact, there are more than ever before. The string teachers are proud of our dedicated students, particularly because the LISFA festivals are competitive and very difficult to get into. It's a great experience for our students as they get to perform at the highest level of difficulty."