Melgar Wins LISFA Studio Award
Since being introduced to the violin as a nine-year old, Ashley Melgar has become devoted to mastering the art of classical music. The Huntington High School freshman already has a string of accomplishments, which have left her humble. She now can add another one.
The teenager is the recipient of the Long Island String Festival Association's Suffolk Studio Award, which provides a generous scholarship for private or summer study, according to Joan R. Fretz, the Huntington School District's director of fine and performing arts. It was one of only two scholarships presented by LIFSA.
Ms. Melgar participates in NYSSMA (New York State School Music Assn.), SCMEA (Suffolk County Music Educators' Assn.) and LISFA events, has played in the Gemini Youth Orchestra and Gemini Chamber Orchestra, is currently playing in the Long Island Youth Orchestra and has even played in Lincoln Center. Yet, she continues to be a modest, level headed and soft-spoken young lady.
As cliché as it may sound, whether the performance is at the Tilles Center on the C.W. Post campus or in the Huntington High School auditorium, Ms. Melgar gives it her all. While it is much too early to say for sure, the teenager is currently interested in pursuing a career in music and continuing to perfect her craft. She hopes to ultimately land a scholarship to continue working to master the violin and study in college.
The Huntington freshman has several other passions in life, including ballet and swimming. Like most Long Island high school girls, Ms. Melgar said that she has a close circle of friends and from time-to-time she enjoys watching "terrible girl movies and eating gummy bears."
But, all kidding aside, this is one hardworking teenager. The Suffolk Studio Award comes as a blessing, as well as a reminder to both her and her family "that practice, devotion and commitment can lead you to achieve great things," Ms. Melgar said.
The Huntington freshman expressed appreciation to the LIFSA committee that chose her for the scholarship award and offered thanks to her private violin teacher Joanna Kaczorowska and Huntington High School orchestra teacher Lisa Leonardi. She said both continue to teacher her "so much" and are helping the teenager to reach her musical goals.