2008 Outstanding Achievement Awards
Garden City High School
Steven Scarola
Outstanding Achievement in Band
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I could remember. Over the years I have learned to play the piano, saxophone, tuba, guitar, and percussion. It was not until high school that I learned the impact that could have in a person’s life. I owe this realization to my band teacher, Mr. McCrann. He has taught me many things not only about music but about life. I consider him my teacher, mentor, and friend. It was Mr. McCrann who brought about the opportunity for me to expand and grow as a musician. It was his belief in me that gave me the courage to pursue an opportunity to be a part of rock band. To this date, it has been my most extensive musical endeavor.
I am fortunate enough to share the Push Play stage with three other musicians that also appreciate the power of music. Being the guitarist, keyboardist, and background vocalist, in the band Push Play, has taught me so much about what exactly goes into a rock show. Preparing for a concert takes discipline and hard work all of which I have learned from Mr. McCrann. Remaining grounded is easy when surrounded by all the people that mean the most to me. Donating my time and music, along with the other Push Play band members, has raised my awareness that music can do so much to help others. Where ever this musical path may lead me I will never forget those that I love and have been there from day one.
Pamela Wegener
Outstanding Achievement Award for Orchestra
Pamela Wegener began private piano lessons at the age of 5 and private violin lessons at age 11 at the Long Island Conservatory of Music. She received the Outstanding Achievement Award for Orchestra for Stewart School, Middle School and High School. She has achieved NYSSMA top Levels and scores for piano and violin and has performed in multiple All Counties at Tillis Center and The Long Island String Festivals.
She was the Concert Mistress in the Garden City High School Orchestra and Garden City High School Chamber Orchestra and the Pianist for the Garden City High School Jazz Ensemble. She is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She enjoys tutoring violin.
She has performed at Carnegie Hall with a Chamber Orchestra Ensemble and was a finalist at the LISMA Foundation International Music competition for her violin performance. She has performed in the CW Post Summer Orchestra.
Pamela has written numerous original music compositions for which she won Nassau County and New York State Finalist awards in thePTA Reflections contests.
She has volunteered to perform frequently at the Garden City Friends of Music “Student Stars Showcases”, and has performed piano in a Westbury Nursing Home and the Garden City Community Church. She played keyboard in a high school musical, accompanied high school chorus and played trumpet in the high school marching band.
Pamela will be attending Brown University this Fall and is hoping to become a member of the Brown University Orchestra.
Carolyn Cutrone
Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Music
Carolyn began playing the piano and flute starting in elementary school but as she grew up she began to focus mainly on singing. For the past three years Carolyn has taken private voice lessons and has been a member of the Vocal Jazz ensemble and Chamber Choir. She took A.P. Music Theory this year and has been selected 3 years Carolyn hopes to continue singing at Ithaca College next year.
Garden City Middle School
Robert Piertzak
Outstanding Achievement in Band
Robert Pietrzak played the trumpet in the Middle School Band, Pops Band, and Jazz Band, and the piano in the Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mrs. Boonshaft and Ms. Iovino. He has been playing trumpet for 5 years and participated in NYSSMA, receiving a perfect score of 100 on a level 6 piece. He preformed in the All-County Band in 7 th grade andAll-County Jazz Band in 6 th and 8 th grade. Since 7 th grade he has been a member of the Garden City High School Marching Band.
Robert also loves acting and performed in the middle school productions of Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof and Honk and had a lead role in each.
Robert also plays trumpet in a Ska band which recently performed at the Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale. He loves playing the trumpet and is looking forward to playing in the High School Wind Ensemble next year.
Kimberly Ryan
Outstanding Achievement in Band
Kimberly Ryan first discovered her love for music, while playing the French horn, when she was a fourth grader at Stewart School. Kimberly has studied under the guidance of her private teacher, Ms. Molly Tittler. Kimberly’s interest in music continued as she entered the Garden City Middle School. during this time Kimberly was a member of the Festival Chorus in grade six, the Jazz Band (trombone) in grade eight, and the Pops Band (French horn) in grades six, seven, and eight. Kimberly was a member of the sixth, seventh and eighth grade school bands. Kimberly Ryan participated in NYSSMA in grades six (Level Two), grade seven (Level Four) and grade eight (Level Five). Kimberly was selected as a member of theAll-County Band in grade six, the Hofstra University Select Band in grade seven and the All-County Orchestra in grade eight, as a French horn musician. Kimberly participated in the Garden City High School Marching Bank (mellophone) in grade eight. Special thanks to music teaches Ms. Jennifer Iovino and Mrs. Martha Boonshaftfor their inspiration. In grade nine, Kimberly Ryan will continue her study and love of music as a selected member of the Garden City High School Wind Ensemble (French horn). Kimberly will participate in the Garden City High School Marching Band(mellophone) again this year.
Steven DeBold
Outstanding Achievement in Electronic Music
Steven is a pianist who has taken private lessons with Ms. Leslie Ippolito since 2002 while in elementary school. While he enjoys all genres of music, he enjoys playing pop, rock and contemporary music most of all. His love of piano has flourished under the direction of Mr. Russo in the electronic music program at the Garden City Middle School since 6th grade.
In addition to playing the piano, Steven enjoys playing Badminton and plans on joining the riflery team in the High School.
Alina Ranjbaran
Outstanding Achievement in Orchestra
Alina Ranjbaran has been playing the violin since she was 3 years old. At 5, she took up the piano. Alina started taking private lessons with Nicole DiCecco at 3 1/2. Alina currently studies violin with Naoko Tanaka at the Juilliard School Pre-College Division. She participated in All-County for 2 years and LISFA for one year. Alina attended the chamber music workshop at the school for strings last summer and really enjoys playing chamber music. Alina also excels in academics and won the Carroll H. Smith Award for highest academic average in Middle School this year.
Sarah Rudkin
Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Music
Sarah’s interest in music started at an early age. As a 6 year old, she joined her church choir, where she still sings.
She was one of the leads in “Tales of Hoffman” the Stewart School opera. Sarah has taken lessons with Hope Hudson and Caprice Carona.
Sarah participates in NYSSMA and has been chosen for ALL county Chorus for two years. In the Middle School musical “Honk Jr.” – she played Ida, the mother duck. All through Middle School she has been in the Chorus and Festival Chorus.
Sarah would like to thank Mrs. Kleemann for all her support and encouragement. She looks forward to expanding her vocal and theatrical experiences in High School.
Stewart School
Katie Roscoe
Outstanding Achievement in Band
Katie Roscoe, a clarinet player is the recipient of the Garden City Friends of Music Award for Outstanding Achievement in band. Katie, a first chair clarinetist for theStewart School Band directed by Mr. Peter Stananelli, enjoys her leadership role within the group. Her musical talents also include singing. She recently sung lead in Stewart School’s Production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute , playing The Queen of the Night. Katie also was selected as a member of the Nassau All-County Band. She will continue her musical pursuits in the Middle School in the fall.
Leslie Wann
Outstanding Achievement Award for Orchestra
My name is Leslie Wann. I am 11 years old and I have received the Outstanding Achievement Award for Orchestra. I started playing the viola in 3 rd grade. My first viola teacher was Miss Francis Dial. When I was in 4 th grade I got a private teacher, Jeanne Doyle. She started preparing me for N.Y.S.S.M.A, an instrument demonstration for a judge. She bought viola song and technique books for me and prepared me very well for N.Y.S.S.M.A. The next year when I was in 5 th grade, my school orchestra conductor sent me to All County and the Long Island String Festival. I was the 2 ndchair viola in All County. I went to N.Y.S.S.M.A that year also and got a perfect score. Miss Doyle is currently teaching me and I’ve learned a lot from her. I also play the piano. My teacher is Mr. Matthew Weissman. He started teaching me when I was 6 years old. He’s been preparing me for N.Y.S.S.M.A. every year ever since I was in 2 ndgrade. He is a very talented and inspiring teacher. I’m very thankful for my parents for giving me the opportunity to take music lessons and my teachers who’ve taught me so much so I could get where I am today.
Michael Crapotta
Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Music
I would like to thank the Garden City Friends of Music for their continued support of the talented students in our district. Miss Stillwell, of Stratford, and Mrs. Grace, of Stewart have been very encouraging. My vocal coach, for the past four years, is the renowned Jansook Jin, of the Manhasset School of Music. I am a member of the St. Joseph‘sBoys Choir under the direction of Miss Marie Cozzi. In addition, I am fortunate to have Mr. James Park instruct me in French horn. I continue my piano playing and composing. I have participated in the NMEA All-County Chorus this year where I proudly represented Stewart Avenue School as a soprano soloist. This June, I was honored to play the lead role of Tamino in Stewart’s Opera The Magic Flute . I will be participation in the Long Island Choral Festival and Institute this summer under the direction of Mr. Brian Gold.
Stratford Avenue School
Elizabeth Butler
Outstanding Achievement In Band
Elizabeth Butler was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Band plaque for her participation in the Stratford music program. She has been playing the alto saxophone since 4th grade and has received instruction solely from Miss Glickman, the band director.Elizabeth enjoyed playing the saxophone from the start, and also really enjoyed working with Miss Glickman. At the end of the fourth grade, Elizabeth was invited to march in the Memorial Day Parade with some other fourth graders and the fifth graders, and in fifth grade, she was invited to play in theJazz Band which performed in the Spring Concert later in the school year.
Elizabeth also plays the piano, and has taken lessons since First Grade. She participated in the NYSSMA festival for piano in the Spring of Fifth Grade. Additionally, she won first place in the Reflections competition in the Music category by composing a song, and her song won first place at the districts level as well.
Other interests of Elizabeth include softball, soccer, and reading. She looks forward to playing the alto sax in the Middle School Bands.
Lindsey DeMars
Outstanding Achievement In Orchestra
Lindsey DeMars was presented with the Outstanding Achievement in Orchestra Award at the Stratford School‘s awards ceremony. Lindsey has been studying the violin since Kindergarten. She has participated in many individual and group concerts including this year’s all County Orchestra and The Long Island String Festival. Lindsey is very appreciative of this award and would like to thank her violin teachers, Ms. Agnes Kwasniewska and Mrs. Carol Enck. She would also like to thank Mr. Nicholas Geluso, orchestra teacher at Stratford. Lindsey is looking forward to working with the Middle School Orchestra next September. She is also considering joining the Suzuki Orchestra, which has plans to perform concerts in Europe.
Maggie O’Brien
Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Music
Maggie O’Brien loves to sing and dance, as well as act. Her love of vocalizing has led her to be chosen as a member of the All-County Chorus this past winter. She was one of the leads in the Stratford Avenue School’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory held in the spring. Maggie has participated repeatedly in NYSSMA as a vocalist. Maggie’s love of music has extended to playing the piano, and she currently takes lessons. At Way Off Broadway, Maggie has taken acting and singing lessons to broaden her love of the musical arts.
In addition to music, Maggie also enjoys many athletic endeavors, including softball, lacrosse and basketball. She hopes to one day be a star on the Broadway stage.
