WELCOME

Tuesday October 15th, 2019

Check out the amazing annual LaGuardia faculty art show! Friday, October 18, 4:15-7pm in the LaGuardia Art Gallery. ... See MoreSee Less

Friday October 11th, 2019

Look who came to visit Alumni and Friends of LaGuardia High School yesterday with his lovely family - Wesley Snipes, PA '80! We gave him a tour of the school and he reminisced while looking at yearbooks in the Alumni & Friends office!
(We have copies of all M&A, PA, and LaGuardia yearbooks.) ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday October 10th, 2019

#thankfulthursday
Thank you to John Cappelletti (Performing Arts and LaGuardia theater teacher from 1968-1992) for establishing the Alumni & Friends John Cappelletti Fund for Teachers of Acting. This Fund provides an annual award to a graduating senior who plans to pursue a career teaching acting. Read the heartfelt thanks from the 2019 recipient, Molly Walsh.
Tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education by filling out this form: alumniandfriends.org/thankful/

Donate to the Alumni & Friends John Cappelletti Fund here: alumniandfriends.org/fund/john-cappelletti-fund-for-a-future-teacher-of-acting/ ... See MoreSee Less

Monday October 7th, 2019

DEAR EVAN HANSEN AUDITIONS! Open Call in New York on Sunday, October 20th (male roles), and November 10th (female roles) for the teen roles. If unable to attend the audition, please submit via the show website: dearevanhansen.com/auditions-submission/ ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday October 3rd, 2019

#thankfulthursday
"What could be more special than attending a school devoted to wisdom and the arts?" - Stephen Jablonsky (M&A '58)
Tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education and read why others are thankful: alumniandfriends.org/thankful/
(Artwork by Hyojee Choi, recipient of the 2019 Stephen Jablonsky Art Award) ... See MoreSee Less

Wednesday October 2nd, 2019

Join drummer Marcello Pellitteri, David Gilmore, Tim Ries, Donny McCaslin, and a host of amazing musicians at Birdland on Sunday, October 6, 5:30pm for the annual benefit concert to support the Alumni & Friends Veronica Pellitterri (LaG '09) Memorial Fund.
www.birdlandjazz.com/e/marcello-pellitteri-in-a-benefit-for-the-veronica-pellitteri-memorial-fund... ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday September 26th, 2019

#thankfulthursday
"I am thankful for my arts education at the High School of Music & Art (class of 1967) because it provided me a place to explore, and encouraged creativity while allowing me to witness art being made in sights and sounds around me! It was a place that was a glimpse of my life and lifelong friendships that endure today."
- Dee Bronstein Urban, M&A '67
Tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education and read why others are thankful: alumniandfriends.org/thankful/
(Artwork by Georgia Carbone, LaG '20) ... See MoreSee Less

Sunday September 22nd, 2019

Congratulations to Jharrel Jerome (LaG '15) on his Emmy for lead actor in a limited series for "When They See Us!" Go LaG!!! ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday September 19th, 2019

#thankfulthursday "I am so thankful for my education at LaGuardia. It was the first place where I felt like I could express myself truthfully. I couldn’t believe there was a place with so many kids like me (all of the friends I made there are still my friends). The level of dedication by both faculty and students were astounding both creatively and academically. I am forever grateful for my time and experiences at LaGuardia.
Could not have happened if it weren’t free."
- J. O’Brien (Drama) LaG ‘88
Tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education and read why others are thankful: alumniandfriends.org/thankful/
(Artwork by Hannah Muallem, LaG 19) ... See MoreSee Less

Tuesday September 17th, 2019

Congratulations to LaG '04 dance alumni Chanel DaSilva and Nigel Campbell of MOVE(NYC) for receiving the 2019 Martha Hill Award! The Gala will be held on November 25, 2019 in NYC. www.marthahilldance.org
Founded in 2015, MOVE(NYC) is a multi-pillared NYC-based arts and social justice organization whose mission is to cultivate greater diversity and equity within the dance profession and beyond. ... See MoreSee Less

Friday September 13th, 2019

The Alumni Notes is now available online! If you did not receive this as an email yesterday, that means we do not have your email address. Please go to alumniandfriends.org/connect to make sure we have your up-to-date contact information.

Click here to read our most recent newsletter and catch up on other exciting LaGuardia news! conta.cc/30c2Nta ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday September 12th, 2019

#thankfulthursday
"I am thankful for the most extraordinary environment a teenager could be in for learning! My love for music and the arts only grew exponentially as I grew, and my teachers and fellow students inspired me, always." - Ricki F. Wasserman (M&A '68)
Tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education and read why others are thankful: alumniandfriends.org/thankful/
Artwork by Karen Mogami (LaG '20) ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday September 5th, 2019

Catch Michael Che (LaG '01) and Colin Jost, Saturday Night Live “Weekend Update” co-anchors, hosting a comedy show to benefit the Staten Island Museum. September 19, 2019 at 8pm at the historic St. George Theatre. Tickets available: www1.ticketmaster.com/colin-jost-michael-che-friends-staten-island-museum-benefit-show/event/0000... and
www.facebook.com/events/437168463681749/ ... See MoreSee Less

Tuesday September 3rd, 2019

Check out a new exhibit at The Great Frog's '72 Gallery,' featuring the work of John Holmstrom, best known as the creator and illustrator of 'Punk' Magazine - September 5-October 17 at 72 Orchard Street. The September 5 opening party is produced by Rima D Bien​ (PA '84).
Holmstrom is known for his work depicted in the film 'CBGB,' several Ramones album covers, and for illustrating icons in 'Punk' Magazine like Joey Ramone, and many others during the greatest era of CBGB. ... See MoreSee Less

Friday August 30th, 2019

If you're in Belgium, check out M&A '65 alumnus Charlemagne Palestine at the Meakusma Festival, September 6-8, 2019.
thequietus.com/articles/26989-charlemagne-palestine-interview-favourite-films ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday August 29th, 2019

Sophia Dawson (LaG '06) was just named BET's Artist of the Week! Check out this video of the activist artist at work:
bit.ly/30KIC6r

She has been holding classes in her Industry City studio, but her knowledge is available in this ebook she recently released
"So You Wanna Paint A Mural." Check it out! sellfy.com/p/yOWi/?utm_source=Contacts+2017&utm_campaign=f571e1369e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_08_22_08_... ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday August 29th, 2019

"The arts have the potential to humanize, enlighten, uplift, and thrill us. That's what Performing Arts did for me...AND in the company of like-minded people ..." - Thelma Rosenblum Blanc, PA '51
#thankfulthursday
Tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education and read why others are thankful: alumniandfriends.org/thankful ... See MoreSee Less

Friday August 23rd, 2019

Spotted in Paris! Marcus Miller (M&A '76) will be performing at Jazz a la Villette on August 29th. If you are lucky enough to be in the city of light that night, check him out!

en.lavillette.com/programmation/jazz-a-la-villette-2019_e260 ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday August 22nd, 2019

#thankfulthursday
"It was a progressive & diverse learning space which allowed us as young people to find or express our voice through artistic modalities. It helped me and all of us at a pivotal stage in life. I am forever grateful for how it shaped me and for the connections I made with peers. We were very fortunate to have the opportunity."
– Jill Chatanow Flores (LaG ’89)

Tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education and read why others are thankful: alumniandfriends.org/thankful

LaG 89 button made by Arrow Kleeman (LaG '89) ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday August 15th, 2019

#thankfulthursday
"I am most thankful for discovering my love of education. Because of the many dedicated teachers at LaGuardia, I became a public school educator." - Sarah Cohen Spurge (LaG '05)
Tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education and read why others are thankful: alumniandfriends.org/thankful

Artwork by Athena Capo-Battaglia (LaG '17) ... See MoreSee Less

Wednesday August 14th, 2019

Catch Li Jun Li (LaG '01) in the new Netflix series "Wu Assassins." Now an actress, Li was accepted to LaGuardia for both art and dance, and chose to spend half a day each day for four years dancing on the 8th Floor at 100 Amsterdam Ave! Read all about how she almost didn't become an actress, and watch the trailer for "Wu Assassins" - available now on Netflix.

charactermedia.com/why-did-wu-assassins-actress-li-jun-li-swear-off-acting-as-a-kid ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday August 8th, 2019

"Music & Art taught me that it's okay, and desirable, to be different and original and unique!"
- Joan Zimmerman Shore, M&A '52 #thankfulthursday

Tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education and read why others are thankful: alumniandfriends.org/thankful

Artwork by Audrey Gatta, LaG '19 ... See MoreSee Less

Wednesday August 7th, 2019

On August 20, Ethan Gabriel Riordan (LaG '18) will be performing his original song cycle entitled "Flicker" with special guests, including Micaela Diamond (LaG '17) of the "Cher Show." A rising sophomore at Yale University, Ethan studies composition and performance. Get your tickets to this performance at The Green Room 42 @ The Yotel, 570 10th Ave, thegreenroom42.poptix.com. ... See MoreSee Less

Tuesday August 6th, 2019

Get your tickets to see Victoria Beaudoin (LaG '16), who will be making her professional debut at Feinstein's/54 Below on August 24. Victoria and Joseph Hayes, rising stars of theatre and television, team up in "The New York State of Mind Chronicles," featuring songs from "Grease," "A Chorus Line," "Fugitive Songs" and more. Use the code LAGUARDIA20 for a 20% discount for seating in the main dining area.

54below.com/events/victoria-beaudoin-joseph-hayes/ ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday August 1st, 2019

#thankfulthursday
Tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education and read why others are thankful: alumniandfriends.org/thankful

Artwork by members of the LaGuardia H.O.P.E. Club, a student-led community service club, which received a grant from Alumni & Friends to support their efforts. ... See MoreSee Less

Monday July 22nd, 2019

LaGuardia students will be performing August 2 at Lincoln Center Out of Doors! Dancing to Bob Fosse’s Masterpiece "Sing, Sing, Sing!" with live music by the LaGuardia Jazz Band! FREE, 7pm at Damrosch Park.

The dance performance will be followed by a rare screening of the Emmy and Peabody Award winning "Liza with a Z." Capturing a one-woman, one-night-only production Minnelli gave at the Lyceum Theater in 1972, directed by Bob Fosse, costumed by Halston, with songs by Kander & Ebb.
www.lincolncenter.org/out-of-doors/show/liza-with-a-z-caleb-teicher-and-company-and-the-verdon-fo... ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday July 18th, 2019

"It wasn’t just a free public high school arts education. LaGuardia taught me to be human, to love people regardless of race, socioeconomics, religion etc. because we all spoke the same artistic language and it was an experience like no other. I was zoned for a school where bullying and drugs were prevalent and being the 'weird' performer in middle school I dreamt of a way out and into a world where everyone was a dreamer. Thank you LaGuardia."
– Suzanne Adelman Eldridge, LaG ’92 #thankfulthursday

Why are YOU thankful for your FREE arts high school experience? Please share! alumniandfriends.org/thankful/

(Artwork by LaG '18 alumna Athena Capo-Battaglia) ... See MoreSee Less

Tuesday July 16th, 2019

Shout out to LaG/PA '87 alumna Cecil Castellucci whose new graphic novel memoir "Girl on Film" will be released November 2019! Castellucci is an award-winning young adult novelist and Eisner-nominated comic book writer and tells us that many parts of her book take place in the old PA building and LaGuardia.
www.shelf-awareness.com/dedicated-issue.html?issue=48#m287 ... See MoreSee Less

Monday July 15th, 2019

Please read this wonderful note from our Interim Acting LaGuardia principal, Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos:

Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, Parents, Guardians, Alumni, and Friends,

It is with great honor and privilege that I greet you as the Interim Acting Principal of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts.

I began my career in the New York City public schools as the Music Director of Eleanor Roosevelt High School. I quickly scaled up my vision of excellence for the music department, and began to oversee all aspects of administration and supervision as Assistant Principal. In 2016, I became the Principal of Talent Unlimited High School, and further leveraged my networks in education, the arts, and academia. My academic history includes a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Music from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts in Music and Music Education from Columbia University, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from New York University. I was also fortunate to participate in further studies in music and pedagogy at Temple, Princeton, Duquesne, and Rider Universities.

As a child, I demonstrated a penchant for observing and engaging with musical elements. While my cousins took turns sewing patterns on grandma’s Singer machine, I listened intently to the rhythmic undulation of the stitches. While my older siblings received corrections on their posture and wrist shape during their lessons, I sat under the piano eagerly awaiting the melodies about to take shape. When my father casually hummed folk songs, I would run to the mysterious black and white keys to decipher the pitches. My mother noticed, and didn’t take no for an answer when she was told by the piano teacher I was too young. I started my formal music training, but more importantly, learned a lesson in relentlessly tapping into a potential.

When my high school band director (the inspiration for J. K. Simmons’ character in Whiplash) introduced me to the trombone, music transformed from an independent pursuit to a collaborative experience. Throughout college, graduate school, and my early career I maintained musical studies and penned quite a few essays extolling performing arts as the fuel for learning: the persistence and self-reflection from practicing challenging passages; the patience and open-mindedness from rehearsing with diverse perspectives; the precision and attention from analyzing patterns, I concluded, was the perfect vehicle for teaching inquiry.

My work as the principal of a performing arts school has demonstrated the power of arts education. As a musician, I am blessed to have experienced the intimate processes of actors, dancers, and visual artists. I was invited to engage in collaborative projects across the arts, making unequivocal statements about identity, equity, and social justice. Through the arts, we communicate in the most human way possible – by sharing experiences and soliciting emotional responses. When the arts become limited, so become our voices. LaGuardia stands for education in the arts, and in turn, for the voices of our students. I am committed to ensuring that arts education – education focusing on human interactions – is always at the core of our work.

I am excited to have begun conversations with faculty and staff, students, parents and guardians, alumni, and partners, who have generously shared their time, experience, and expertise. I thank Executive Superintendent Rosales and Superintendent Orlen for their support as we work together in this incredible community of intergenerational stakeholders.

I look forward to us sharing with each other our belief in the power of the arts, education, and arts education. Along the way, we will reflect, revel, and revise to protect the integrity of our mission at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts.

Best,
Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos
Principal I.A.

Yeou-Jey Vasconcelos
Principal I.A.
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
100 Amsterdam Ave, New York New York 10023
T(212)496-0700 F(212)724-5748
www.laguardiahs.org ... See MoreSee Less

Friday July 12th, 2019

Shout out to LaG '18 alum Evan Dominguez, who is directing Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" at Sanctuary Theater at St. Johns Lutheran Church (81 Christopher Street, NY) August 8-11 and 15-18. Evan was a recipient of an Alumni & Friends summer study grant as well as the recipient of the Alumni & Friends Graduation Award for an outstanding student in the drama department. He also received the Actor’s Equity Foundation Award in 2018.

Tickets are $15 and are available at adollshouse.brownpapertickets.com.

The cast is comprised of graduate, current and soon-to-be students of the Neighborhood Playhouse. This process grew over the course of our first year at the conservatory and gradually came together as more playhouse friends joined the company. ... See MoreSee Less

Friday July 12th, 2019

Hooray for LaG '16 dance alum Dharon Jones, who will be making his Broadway Debut as Action in the 2020 revival of "West Side Story!" Dharon was a recipient of an Alumni & Friends summer study scholarship and the Father Fame Graduation Award, courtesy of "Father Fame" David de Silva.
www.playbill.com/article/isaac-powell-shereen-pimentel-more-set-for-west-side-story-broadway-revival ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday July 11th, 2019

If you're in Tokyo, check out LaG '90 alum Yoichiro Yoda's exhibit "Art Day by Day: 50 Years of the Yoda Family in New York." Through September 8, 2019 at Mitaka Gallery of Art: mitaka-sportsandculture.or.jp/gallery/event/20190629/ ... See MoreSee Less

Tuesday July 9th, 2019

For those in the Oakland, CA area, LaG alumni from 1989 and 1990 are planning a reunion for all alumni from LaGuardia, M&A, and PA on Saturday, July 20, 2019. The day consists of a 2:30pm hike to the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland (chabotspace.org/) from the Joaquin Miller Playground, followed by drinks at Ale Industries (aleindustries.com) from 5-8pm. All alumni are welcome! ... See MoreSee Less

Monday July 8th, 2019

Happy summer to everyone! If you did not receive the recent Alumni & Friends E-Newsletter on July 3 that means we do not have your email address in our alumni database! Please make sure to sign up here so you don't miss important information about alumni events, school performances and exhibits, and so much more! alumniandfriends.org/connect ... See MoreSee Less

Monday July 8th, 2019

Congratulations to LaGuardia Class of 2019! What an amazing graduation and spirited end of the year! We are so proud of the class of 2019 for being strong and effective leaders and making sure their voices were heard.
Read our Alumni Summer Highlights E-Newsletter to see reunion photos and get updates on what's been happening at LaGuardia, including leadership changes and more!
conta.cc/2Jkc258 ... See MoreSee Less

Friday June 21st, 2019

Tonight! June 21 at 7pm the LaGuardia Senior Jazz Band will be performing for the Make Music New York celebration with Gail Brewer, Manhattan Borough President, at Carl Schurz Park, 86th Street and East End Avenue (use the 84th or 87th St. entrance for wheelchair access) FREE.
www.manhattanbp.nyc.gov/event/make-music-new-york ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday June 20th, 2019

The LaGuardia Dance Ensemble will be performing this Friday, June 21 at Bryant Park at 6pm! Free and no tickets necessary! Choreography by Tommy Tibball, Thomas Hogan and Darrell Grand Moultrie.
Four dance companies will be performing.
www.nycgovparks.org/events/2019/06/21/contemporary-dance ... See MoreSee Less

Monday June 17th, 2019

This Saturday, June 22 at 2pm catch the amazing LaGuardia New Music Ensemble at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 (196 Allen Street). Showtime is 2pm, doors at 1:30pm. All ages invited. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. It'll be a great show! www.eventbrite.com/e/laguardia-high-school-new-music-ensemble-tickets-61177951901 ... See MoreSee Less

Friday June 14th, 2019

Today we had our end of year award ceremonies for all studio departments at LaGuardia (art, dance, drama, instrumental music, vocal music, and technical theater). Congratulations to over 200 LaGuardia students who were recipients of 2019 Alumni & Friends' monetary awards, established by generous alumni (and friends) to honor the students' hard work and dedication to their craft.

See how your tax-deductible contributions to Alumni & Friends of LaGuardia are helping make a difference for LaGuardia's current students! Please consider a donation to Alumni & Friends: alumniandfriends.org/give/annual-fund/ Thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

Tuesday June 11th, 2019

Don't miss your reunion and other great alumni events! If you do NOT currently receive emails from Alumni & Friends that means you are not up to date in the alumni database. Please fill out our alumni contact form: alumniandfriends.org/connect and hope to see you soon! ... See MoreSee Less

Tuesday June 11th, 2019

Don't miss your reunion and other great alumni events! If you do NOT currently receive emails from Alumni & Friends that means you are not up to date in the alumni database. Please fill out our alumni contact form: alumniandfriends.org/connect and hope to see you soon! ... See MoreSee Less