2009 Outstanding Achievement Awards

Garden City High School

William Beecher

Outstanding Achievement in Band

William Beecher began his musical training on the alto and tenor sax at the age of ten. He was introduced to the bassoon under the mentorship of Mrs. Martha Boonshaft. Billy was the principal bassoonist in the High School Wind Ensemble, section leader in the Marching Band and lead saxophonist for the Jazz Ensemble. He also participated in the Chamber Choirand pit orchestra for the High School’s musical productions. Billy was elected to the executive board for the Tri-M Honor Society and was also the recipient of the 2009 Barry Manilow Music Faculty Scholarship in Garden City.

In 2008, Billy was the principal bassoonist in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and performed at world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. Playing with the Nassau All-County Orchestra Billy also performed at the Tilles Center. As a participant of the Sound of Music Honor Band, Billy toured throughout Europe with the members of this highly selective group of musicians.

During his junior year, Billy organized and ran his own charity. ‘Lessons for Life’ Local music students received lessons, with all proceeds to benefit building a hospital in the West African nation of Ghana for the under privileged. Billy would like to thank Mr. James McCrann the High School Director of Bands and Mr. Jonathan Watkins, his private instructor, for their unwavering support.

Victoria Pietrzak

Outstanding Achievement in Orchestra

Victoria was the concert mistress for the Garden City High School Orchestra andChamber Orchestra under the direction of Mrs. Margaret Gullotta, and is a multiple Friends of Music award winner, receiving the award for Outstanding Achievement in Orchestra in fifth grade as well as eighth grade. She is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and has also been a member of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra for six years, performing at such prestigious venuses at the Tilles Center, Lincoln Centerand Carnegie Hall. During the summer, Victoria participates on the C. W. Post Chamber Music Festival, and has attended the Summer Strings Academy with the Long Island Philharmonic.

Through the Garden City High School’s tutor program, Victoria has taught elementary and middle school students how to play the violin. This led her to discover that teaching was her true passion and career goal. She was the recipient of the Garden City Teacher’s Association/Jean Campbell Teaching Scholarship, as well as a scholarship to attend the Hartt School for Music at the University of Hartford in the fall where she will major in music education.

Xavier Alisse

Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Music

Xavier began his musical career taking piano lessons while attending the American School of Madrid in Spain. He switched to private lessons as a tenor while a freshman at Garden City High School. Once involved in the music program, Xavier joined the concert choir and ultimately the chamber choir as a junior and senior in High School. During his senior year, he switched to baritone, and joined the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. His interest in music education led him to take Advanced Placement Music Theory at the High School.

Xavier is a theater enthusiast, performing in the High School’s spring musicals. Bye Bye Birdie and Guys and Dolls performing in community theatre as well. Xavier would like to thank his choir teacher, Mr. Robert Ludwig and his private vocal teacher, Kim Oler for all of their help and support. Xavier plans to continue his musical career performing at American University in the fall.

Garden City Middle School

Matthew Boonshaft

Outstanding Achievement in Band.

Most musicians would consider their talents suitably exercised after participating twice in both NYSSMA and All-County Festivals, three years participation in TUBA Christmasat Rockerfeller Centre and four years of hard work as a member of the Garden City High School Marching Band‘s Pit and trombone sections. However, euphoniumist Matthew Boonshaft is not like most musicians. In addition to these activities, Matthew played the quads (four drums on one harness) in all three past Memorial Day Paradesin Garden City.

Matthew has also excelled on his secondary instrument, the trombone, as a member of the Middle School Jazz program for the past three years. As a freshman, Matthew looks forward to playing in the Garden City High School Wind Ensemble, the premiere band in the High School music department.

Emilio Martinez

Outstanding Achievement in Band

Emilio began playing trumpet when he was ten years old atStewart School under the direction of Mr. Peter Stanganelli. Once in the Middle School, he was a member of both the Jazz Band and Late Night Jazz in 8th grade. Emilio was a member of the Hofstra Honors Band in the 7th grade. Among his other accomplishments, Emilio, played in the All-County Band Festival and was a member of the Nassau-Suffolk Performing Arts Concert Band.

Emilio is looking forward to his participation in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Chamber Orchestra, and the premiere band of the High School’s Marching Band, playing during halftime at home football games as well as in competition throughout the northeast. He would like to extend his thanks to his teachers, Ms. Iovino and Mrs. Boonshaft of the Middle School for all of their help and encouragement these past three years.

Thomas Mage

Outstanding Achievement in Electronic Music

Thomas began playing piano when he was eight years old. He enjoyed popular music and his favorite music to play are songs by fellow Long Islander, Billy Joel. Under the direction of piano teacher, Nicole Pino, Thomas has performed in many recitals and played piano in NYSSMA festivals up to level 4. During the summer, he attended rock music camp called Bach in Rock, where the students write and compose music, ultimately performing for an audience. Thomas also enjoys electronic music at the Middle School with his instructorMr. Russo, and likes the opportunity to share musical knowledge with other students in the class.

Emily Spain

Outstanding Achievement in Orchestra

Emily began playing piano eight years ago, and is presently studying with Mr. Arnie Gruber. She also has studied the viola since 2003 under the direction of private instructor Janet Lucy, and has participated in NYSSMA festivals for both piano and viola. Emily has been selected for the Long Island String Festival and All County Music Festival several times. She is also a member of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, and in June 2009 had the opportunity to perform at world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. In addition, she was selected to be the principal violist for several school concerts. Emily is looking ahead to the fall, when she will again play for the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra.

Alexandra Lambraia

Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Music.

Music is a huge part of Alexandra’s life and her passion, for singing continued to grow throughout her middle school years. She has enjoyed participating in chorus under the direction of Mrs. Nancy Kleeman, and has sung with the early morning festival hours as well. Mrs. Kleeman introduced Alexandra to many vocal opportunities including NYSSMA and All-County Chorus in which she was twice selected to participate. Alexandra also participated in musical theatre at the Middle School beginning with ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and achieving a lead role as the Cat in ‘Honk.’ She enjoyed playing the role of such a unique and spirited character. Her accomplishments also include community theatre and singing in the choir at her church.

Presently Alexandra has been taking voice lessons for the past year to further her musical education. She aspires to have a career in music as she continues pursuing musical opportunities in the High School.