WELCOME
Alumni & Friends of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
We stand in solidarity with the fight against racism and inequity.
While our office within LaGuardia High School is closed until further notice, we are working remotely. You may contact us at info@alumniandfriends.org. All paper correspondence and contributions can be mailed to our P.O. Box as we are unable to receive mail at the school address:
Alumni & Friends of LaGuardia
P.O. Box 230015
Ansonia Station
New York, NY 10023
Thank you for your understanding! We hope to see you soon!
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ALUMNI NEWS
Thursday June 4th, 2020
Please read this powerful piece by Jerett Elijah Benjamin (LaG '20), one of LaGuardia's Student Equity Leaders:
medium.com/@elijah40902/being-black-in-amerikkka-5aab2033c201
medium.com
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis by Derek Chauvin, with officers Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas K. Lane…Tuesday June 2nd, 2020
Please read this piece by Lynn Nottage (M&A '82), recipient of The MacArthur Genius Grant among many other awards.
"Lynn Nottage is a playwright and a screenwriter. She is the first, and remains the only, woman to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice. Her plays have been produced widely in the United States and throughout the world.
Nottage recently premiered Floyd's at the Guthrie theater. She wrote the book for the world premiere musical adaptation of Sue Monk Kidd's novel The Secret Life of Bees, with music by Duncan Sheik and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead. It premiered at the Atlantic Theatre Company in May 2019, directed by Sam Gold. Upcoming work includes an opera adaptation of her play Intimate Apparel composed by Ricky Ian Gordon, commissioned by The Met/Lincoln Center Theater. It will premiere at Lincoln Center in spring 2020. She is also currently writing the book to the upcoming musical MJ, featuring the music of Michael Jackson, premiering on Broadway in summer 2020.
Other plays include Mlima’s Tale (Public Theater), By The Way, Meet Vera Stark (Lilly Award, Drama Desk Nomination), Ruined (Pulitzer Prize, OBIE, Lucille Lortel, New York Drama Critics’ Circle, Audelco, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award); Intimate Apparel (American Theatre Critics and New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Play); Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine (OBIE Award); Crumbs from the Table of Joy; Las Meninas; Mud, River, Stone; Por’knockers; and POOF!" More about Lynn Nottage: www.lynnnottage.com/about.html
www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/trump-has-emboldened-extremist-white-voices-a4456441.html
Trump has emboldened extremist white voices | Lynn Nottage
www.standard.co.uk
Last week, utterly exasperated I tweeted, “I have been connecting with my breath as a form of resistance. With every inhale and exhalation, I’m considering the emotional and physical tax that has ...I support peaceful protest and the elimination of racism. But please leave politics off of LAG'
Friday May 29th, 2020
Alumni Spotlight!
Sam Margolis (LaG '17) shared his composition that was recently put on a COVID-19 relief album for young artists in Boston. The song is "Possible Limitations" and the musicians are:
Alex Yoo (LaG '18) - Drums
Sam Reiss (LaG '19) - Bass
Sam Margolis (LaG '17) - Trombone, Composition
Ari Chais - Piano
thebigflattening.bandcamp.com/track/possible-limitations
Follow Sam: www.instagram.com/sammargolismusic/
Possible Limitations, by Sam Margolis
from the album VOLUME THREE
Congratulations to all performers and thank you!!
Wow!! Thank you so much Alumni and Friends of LaGuardia High School!
Friday May 29th, 2020
Happy #fiorellofriday!
Enjoy amazing artwork from LaGuardia seniors at: www.lagartshows.com/
SENIOR ART SHOW FIVE: INTROSPECTION
(N): A REFLECTIVE LOOKING INWARD: AN EXAMINATION OF ONE'S OWN THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS
Thursday May 28th, 2020
#thankfulthursday
Nikki Lee (LaG '22) shares her artworks and says, "I am thankful that by being a LaGuardia student, I am given access to free art supplies that I don’t have at home. I am so lucky to have these amazing LaGuardia art teachers who teach me how to make different types of art."
⭐️Fill out our quick form at alumniandfriends.org/thankful/ and tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE high school arts education at M&A, PA, and LaGuardia! And read why others are thankful.🌠
Wednesday May 27th, 2020
⭐️LaG Student Spotlight!⭐️
Congratulations to Nouhoum Koita (LaG '20), recently named Presidential Scholar in the Arts! The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations, and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Nouhoum is a Senior Dance major.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors the nation's top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
Photo by Rebecca Hurson (LaG '19)
Incredible!!! Congratulations!!!
Congratulations! Beautiful image. Keep striving and going higher. You are an inspiration. 🤩🕺🏽
How wonderful. I saw him perform at the recent talent show and felt like I was seeing something that I have never seen before. It was as if he was levitating on the stage, I was in total awe of his performance. (art major alumna ‘95)
Wow!!! Totally awesome!!! Go Nouhoum!!! He is one of my daughter’s friends! So well-deserved!!!!
Beautiful
Friday May 22nd, 2020
VOTE! Siba Giba (LaG '89) let us know he provided the soundtrack for a PSA for the NY State campaign about the importance of wearing a mask. There were 600 submissions, his is in the top 5, and the public is invited to vote! His submission is "We ❤ NY" (Wear a Mask) via Bunny Lakes Film -
Bunny Lake Films, a female-founded NY production co., teamed with directors Celine Danhier & Aliya Naumoff & animator Mike Perry (Broad City), capturing the diverse voices and pulse of New York. VOTE TODAY!
coronavirus.health.ny.gov/wear-mask-new-york-ad-contest-cast-your-vote
done
Congratulations!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’nn
Friday May 22nd, 2020
Today, May 22, at 6pm, join Micheline Hess (LaG '89) for The Society of Illustrators "Art Out Loud Online!" Illustrators will provide live demos!
www.facebook.com/societyillustrators/?ref=settings
Micheline Hess does design at a prominent ad agency in Chelsea and spends her spare time developing graphic novels, short stories, and interactive iBooks for kids. She has always been fascinated by the visual narrative in books and film and is constantly endeavoring to weave her own sense of humorous story-telling into both her personal and sometimes professional work. She lives in New York City.
www.societyillustrators.org/events/art-out-loud-online-micheline-hess?
Oh I’ll be on their FB Live, not Insta. Sorry for the confusion and THANK YOU
Thursday May 21st, 2020
#ThankfulThursday
Linda Collazo (LaG '14) writes: "I was a voice major at LaGuardia High School and was the recipient of several Alumni and Friends awards including the Summer Program Scholarship, The To-Life Award, and the Alice Tully Award.
Your encouragement during high school helped me so much to where I am today and I would like to thank you so much. Since high school, I have gone on to winning an encouragement award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and have been accepted into young artist programs at Sarasota Opera and the Utah Festival of Opera and Musical Theater. I could not have done this without your scholarships and support!"
Enjoy a recent recording Linda did during this pandemic with the Bronx Arts Ensemble: youtu.be/4g-FSA0TemE
⭐️Fill out our quick form at alumniandfriends.org/thankful/ and tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE high school arts education at PA, M&A, LaGuardia! And read why others are thankful.🌠
Thank you for sharing!
Wednesday May 20th, 2020
⭐️Alumni Spotlight!⭐️
SHu Kura (LaG '89) shared her wonderful and emotional original monologue that won the Episcopal Actors Guild Monologue Competition: www.youtube.com/watch?v=51l5ctSOzgQ&feature=youtu.be
We'd love to spotlight YOU! Alumni and students, please share your projects with us and we will stay culturally connected! forms.gle/jFZ2x1NgqnFitgDE9
Sunday May 17th, 2020
How great to watch Timothee Chalamet (LaG '13), LaGuardia 2020 seniors, and Barack Obama (among so many other greats) in last night's "Graduate Together" special. And thank you, Timothee, for your words of encouragement and your shout outs to your most inspiring LaGuardia teachers: Lee Lobenhofer, Sandy Faison, Emily Lawton.
"Hello to the class of 2020. I'm happy to get a chance to be here and to celebrate with all of you tonight," Chalamet said. "I can't imagine what the last couple of months has been like for students, let alone for high school seniors, and not being able to attend your graduation ceremonies. I'm joined by this year's 2020 graduates from LaGuardia High School, who are behind me in thanking those teachers who inspire us. I want to shout out three of my own Mr. Lobenhofer, Ms. Faison and Mrs. Lawton. Thank for your valiant efforts to teach me the art of statistics. Thank you for everything," Chalamet concluded his message. "Congratulations to the class of 2020. Be well, be safe. Peace and love."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDqYW9_ThaE
So beautiful and uplifting
Wonderful
So proud of this school; alumni, students, teachers and parents. I’m shouting out my freshman daughter’s teacher Ms Evans who is so immensely committed to her students and remains vigilant in engaging her students. Way to go! 👌🏾🎭🙌🏾
Ms Lawton is my daughter's geometry teacher. It was very cool to hear her name.
www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a32529411/timothee-chalamet-graduate-together-ms-lawton-st...
So cool to have Lag alumni and teachers mentioned.
So proud to see this.
That Obama!
Emily Lawton deserves all of the shout outs for ever!
Saturday May 16th, 2020
Saturday, May 16 at 8pm, watch "GRADUATE TOGETHER" - AMERICA HONORS THE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020
A Graduation Tribute to Our Nation’s High School Seniors, featuring Timothee Chalamet (LaG '13) and 15 LaGuardia seniors performing while Timothee delivers his speech!
This one-hour prime-time special airs on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, and will be streaming on multiple online platforms.
www.graduatetogether2020.com/
Congratulations Lag 2020! From Lag 98. My heart goes out to you guys.
A fabulous place to learn.
Antonietta McGoey
And a 50 years later graduation celebration! Hooray classic 1970!
Congratulations LAG class of 2020 Im a 1958 grad from PA music dept......
Woot woot! #LaG4Life Congrats LaG Class of 2020! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Very cool event that we will watch but I also want to point out that the Lag class of 2020 deserve their own personal event.
congratulations to all of you
Congratulations LaG class of 2020
The Virtual Prom by Teen Vogue was happening at the same time.
🎉Congratulations LAG Class of 2020 🎉
Friday May 15th, 2020
Check out this new book by Jude Warne (LaG '07) - "America, the Band - an Authorized Biography" released today, May 15 in conjunction with the classic 70s rock band’s 50th anniversary year! Foreword by Billy Bob Thornton.
rowman.com/ISBN/9781538120958/America-the-Band-An-Authorized-Biography
Jude says, "I loved my time and musical training at LaGuardia and consider my education there a key component of what led me to be a music writer and biographer."
More about Jude at: judewarne.com/
Friday May 15th, 2020
Tonight, please join in showing appreciation for our brave healthcare workers and watch LaGuardia students in action!
"Turning the Lights Back On" will stream live at openmynetwork.com/manhattanhs at 5:45pm on May 15, 2020, featuring the students of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Professional Performing Arts School, Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts, and Talent Unlimited High School.
Share with your friends and families! Tune in at: openmynetwork.com/manhattanhs
Friday May 15th, 2020
⭐️LaGuardia Student Spotlight!⭐️
Please watch this powerful 4-minute film by LaGuardia junior tech major Arjun Govind (LaG '21), which has already been nominated to be featured at the New York South Asian Film Festival.
Arjun says, "These past few weeks I have been documenting NYC during this pandemic and put together a small film that I recently released ... I would really like to share it with the larger LaGuardia community."
Please submit your projects to Alumni & Friends and we will gladly share! forms.gle/jFZ2x1NgqnFitgDE9
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZsosc9yCcw
So good! Congratulations-it’s beautiful
You really captured NYC - congratulations (even though it makes me weep)
Congrats to Arjun! One of my favorite students!!!
Well done and hard to watch. We will get through this.
Sadly - it is perfect!
Amazing job!
Thursday May 14th, 2020
#thankfulthursday
"The opportunity to pursue my passion at such a young age is an unmatchable experience. I really do love LaGuardia, as I’ve met the most incredible and talented people and have had an amazing art education. This school has really shaped my teenage experience and has taught me to be whoever I want without limitations."
- Hana Cruz, LaG '21 (thankful artwork also by Hana - instagram @velouriaverdant)
⭐️Fill out our quick form at alumniandfriends.org/thankful/ and tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE high school arts education at PA, M&A, LaGuardia! And read why others are thankful.🌠
Thursday May 14th, 2020
Read a great piece about Camille Thurman (LaG '04) - saxophonist, composer and vocalist, who made a name for herself after placing as a finalist in the Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition in 2013. She is the first woman in 30 years to work an entire season with the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra! www.bet.com/news/national/2020/05/12/future-40--meet-jazz-triple-threat-camille-thurman.html
Wednesday May 13th, 2020
Today (May 13) at 4pm, join Alma Schneider (LaG '86), LCSW and Cooking Coach for a FREE Zoom session on
Shopping, Storing, Prepping and Cooking During Quarantine.
"We had our strategies down for running the kitchen, but we now need to rethink and replan to get three meals a day on the table. Learn some tips and tricks to feed our loved ones safely without losing our minds and/or gauging our wallets."
ZOOM INFO:
Join Zoom Meeting: us02web.zoom.us/j/83002178031?pwd=eThvUXlTbFYwVmkyU05ScWZGTnVuZz09
Meeting ID: 830 0217 8031 Password: 536936
montclairbounce.org/calendar/2020/5/13/ake-back-the-kitchen-three-sessions-on-shopping-storing-pr...
Thanks for Sharing and hope to see some of our alumni there!
Geez! Now they know my age😉😉😉😉
Tuesday May 12th, 2020
Wednesday, May 13 at 5pm - enjoy a FREE master class with trumpeter and composer Adam O'Farrill (LaG '12)! Watch on fb and youtube Afro Latin Jazz Alliance!
Tuesday May 12th, 2020
⭐️Alumni Spotlight!⭐️
LaG '15 vocal alumni Alison Saporta & Elias Husiak recorded this beautiful version of 'All I Ask of You' from 'Phantom of The Opera' as a tribute to their junior year voice teacher and pianist, Julie Sandri, who first assigned them this piece in class.
youtu.be/3jhOSCM5rEs
This is why the value of Performing Arts and Music and Art is so precious- here is their legacy, Ms Sandri's legacy and ours. Thank you both. When you get to perform together again in public, i will get on a plane and come to be there.
Thank you so much for this spotlight!!!!
Only like La! can do.
Beautiful!!
Elias Husiak
Thank you so much for sharing! We ❤️ LaGuardia so much
Monday May 11th, 2020
Brett Singer (LaG '89) is hosting a weekly Monday comedy show - tonight at 8pm!
Brett says, "Go to PrimeTimeComedy.net, pick which show you want to see (it's free - see them all!) and enter your email address. You will receive a Zoom link 15 minutes before showtime. Monday Night Live
Comedy from the comfort of your couch.
Monday, May 11 at 8pm
Monday, May 18 at 8:30pm (note later start time)
Monday, May 25 at 8pm
Also, be sure to check out my daily LIVE podcast, Brett From The Bunker, on BlogTalkRadio and Apple Podcasts. I interview comedians and other fun folks. 11am EST Monday through Saturday."
PrimeTimeComedy.net
Monday May 11th, 2020
Enjoy the amazing National Dance Institute's 44th Annual Gala live online on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 7:30pm EST, featuring Dharon Jones (LaG '16, currently starring as Riff in Broadway's "West Side Story").
www.broadwayworld.com/article/National-Dance-Institute-Will-Host-a-Virtual-Gala-Featuring-Alec-Ba...?
www.broadwayworld.com
National Dance Institute will host its 44th Annual Gala: From the Heart remotely this year on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 7:30 PM EST.Monday May 11th, 2020
Do you want to help save the historic childhood home of Blanche and Cab Calloway? This home on Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore, MD is at risk of being demolished and on May 14 there will be a hearing to decide the fate of this historic site.
Here is a call to action from The Brian Scott Bagley Company, founded in 2014 to promote cultural activities and outreach through the arts, education, and historic preservation.
"In October 2015 an extremely important landmark was demolished by the Baltimore Housing Department. The address of 1234 Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland where Harry S. Cummings, one of the first two black men to graduate from the University of Maryland Law School in 1890, and who became the first African American elected to a Baltimore City Council seat lived at that address. Also in the 1950s and 1960s, the building served as offices to the local chapter of the NAACP, hosting Jackie Robinson, Dr. Martin Luther King and Eleanor Roosevelt when they came to Baltimore to work with key leaders like Lillie Mae Carroll Jackson (certain have given her the name the mother of the Civil Rights Movement). The building, historically and appropriately called “Freedom House” continued to serve as a central hub of activism for years. It is now, today, completely destroyed and gone from history.
Ironically on the same street lived music icons Blanche and Cab Calloway. The historic childhood home of Blanche Calloway and Cab Calloway is still at risk of being demolished here in Baltimore City and, during the pandemic. On May 14 there will be a hearing to decide the fate of this historic site.
So many times in Baltimore and across the world, the African Diaspora stories and contributions seem to be de-valued, diminished, and destroyed. In Maryland this is the case save a few names Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.). But, the rich history, and more so to the point of this story; the rich American musical history in Baltimore and its influences on the music and the positives of the world, which we all profit from today, will be forgotten if not for the little help people like us.
We are asking if interested persons could make and send a 7 second or more, video with their phones, asking Baltimore officials to preserve and historically designate this historic landmark. Just 7 seconds of supporters’ time might make the difference in preserving this historic site from being demolished eventually bringing jobs, financial strength, and healing to the community. Would you please consider helping us protect history and keep the community positively growing for the community and the rich history that still exists in the neighborhood. (Feel free to review an example video. One of several sent from international supporters.)
Videos can be sent directly to me at brianscottbagley@gmail.com or to BLESSED BY HISTORY
blessedbyhistory@gmail.com
Here are some of the reasons why this landmark is so important to the history of then and now. This historic site tells the beginnings of this story:
-2216 was the last location where both Blanche and Cab Calloway lived together. It was from this house and neighborhood that helped to forge the personality that would become a musical female sensation pathing the way for her little brother Cabell Cab Calloway.
-Blanche Calloway, business woman, feminist, activist, entrepreneur, and artist: directed and managed radio stations, bands, tours, and clubs and more.
-Blanche Calloway and Her Joy Boys performed heavily in New York City, including at the Lafayette Theatre, the Harlem Opera House, and the Apollo Theatre. The band would eventually change their name to Blanche Calloway and Her Orchestra and in 1933 the Pittsburgh Courier called Calloway and her orchestra one of the top ten outstanding African American orchestras.
-Calloway made her professional debut in Baltimore in 1921 with Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle's musical Shuffle Along.
-Blanche Calloway introduced Cab Calloway to Duke Ellington which is part of a beautiful story involving Mr. Owney Madden owner of the Cotton Club, thus setting Cab Calloway on his pathway to stardom. She helped to promote other stars such as the Blues Queen Ruth Brown by giving them their star.
-Blanche Calloway became a socialite and served as a Democratic committeewoman.
-Blanche Calloway became the first African American precinct voting clerk and the first African American woman to vote in Florida in 1958.
-Blanche Calloway was an active member of the NAACP and the Congress of Racial Equality, also serving on the board of the National Urban League. In 1964, she and about forty other African American women protested with the NATO Women's Peace Force at The Hague.
- Cab Calloway star of stage and screen, from Baltimore to Broadway, to Hollywood, and across the world, was noted as one of the fathers of Rock n Roll and Hip Hop and definitely an innovator of swing music.
-Calloway was the first African-American musician to sell a million records from a single song and to have a nationally syndicated radio show.
-Cab Calloway received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
-Cab Calloway‘s song "Minnie the Moocher" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2019.
-Cab Calloway was also inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame and the International Jazz Hall of Fame.
-Cab Calloway and his outstanding image and music was everywhere: Comic Books, cartoons, performance stages all over the world, movies, even his own movies at times. Performing with the greatest from Duke Ellington, Bill Bojangles Robinson and Lena Horne, Pearl Bailey, The Nicolas Brothers, to Janet Jackson, Heavy D, The Alvin Ailey Company, Dan Aykroyd, John Landis, Gene Kelly, and inspired and made friends with Michael Jackson just to name a few. Michael Jackson visited Cab Calloway on June 23, 1994.
-The following was written of Cab Calloway:
Music critics have written of his influence on later generations of entertainers such as James Brown, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, as well as modern-day hip-hopperformers. John Landis, who directed Calloway in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, stated, "Cab Calloway is hip-hop." Journalist Timothy White noted in Billboard (August 14, 1993): "No living pathfinder in American popular music or its jazz and rock 'n' roll capillaries is so frequently emulated yet so seldom acknowledged as Cabell "Cab" Calloway. He arguably did more things first and better than any other band leader of his generation."
I hope that this information will help towards the preservation of this historic site at 2200 block of Druid Hill Ave."
Friday May 8th, 2020
EXCITING NEWS! "Fame: The Musical" Live from is now available for streaming on Broadway HD!
Brought to you by the amazing 'Father Fame' David de Silva. David is a huge supporter of today's LaGuardia students and gives thousands of dollars in scholarships each year to 8 LaGuardia seniors. The "Fame" legacy lives on!
www.broadwayhd.com/movies/AXEOPBJCXohZH4dIgHA4
Friday May 8th, 2020
Congratulations to Julia Gargano Singer / Songwriter (LaG '16) who is one of 11 finalists on ABC's "American Idol" and will be competing Sunday, May 10! Tune in and vote for her!! Here's how to vote and see more videos: linktr.ee/juliagargano
www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2020/05/american-idol-top-11-julia-gargano-wows-with-ny-state-of-m...
‘American Idol’ top 11: Julia Gargano wows with ‘NY State of Mind’ performance
www.syracuse.com
Gargano is an Upstate New York college student.Antonietta
Friday May 8th, 2020
Happy #FiorelloFriday
Enjoy the LaGuardia Show Choir performing "Shenandoah" -
www.laguardiahs.org/apps/video/watch.jsp?v=10065931
Beautiful!
Deepak Marwah this was your Mixed Chorus right? And not “show choir.”
Friday May 8th, 2020
Save the date! On Friday, May 15, we invite you to join in showing appreciation for our brave healthcare workers, by dedicating an hour to healing our hearts and souls through the arts."
"Turning the Lights Back On" will stream live at openmynetwork.com/manhattanhs at 5:45pm on May 15, 2020, featuring the students of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Professional Performing Arts School, Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts, and Talent Unlimited High School.
Share with your friends and families! Tune in at: openmynetwork.com/manhattanhs
Thursday May 7th, 2020
#thankfulthursday
We are thankful for our Alumni & Friends donors who help support projects like the LaGuardia Dance Ensemble, the educators who pour their souls into what they do, the LaGuardia students who make magic every day, and everyone who appreciates the arts!
Please watch this video of the LaGuardia Dance Ensemble's 2019 performance of “The Radical Self” under the direction of Greg Sinacori (LaG '00 and current dance faculty). Performed at The Apollo Theater for the Manhattan Borough Arts Festival. Choreographed by Tommy Tibball with music by AGF & Forest. Swords.
www.laguardiahs.org/apps/video/watch.jsp?v=10048257
Thank you Alumni and Friends for all your continued support. Everything we do to take our program to the next level wouldn’t be possible without your help. ❤️
Can someone please help me. I am trying to get in touch with the NYC School Board of Education. Does anyone have a POC?
Thursday May 7th, 2020
Congratulations to Nadine Baidan (LaG '21), the winner of the 2020 Ezra Jack Keats Bookmaking Competition for her book, "The Comforts of Home!" Nadine's teacher is Stephanie Mulvihill.
Nadine says: "I came to America from the Philippines when I was four years old, and my book is based on my memories. First, I visualized things I've seen in the Philippines—the lush vegetation, the tropical climate, where my house was situated. My favorite page is one with a bread man because when I was little, the 'real' bread man would come by every morning and ring the bell. I could smell the bread when I made the page. Winning the EJK Bookmaking Award means I can achieve a lot of things I never thought possible and push to strive for more in the future."
www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_entertainment/winners-of-2020-ezra-jack-keats-bookmakin...
www.wfmz.com
NEW YORK, May 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, in partnership with the New York City Department of Education, has announced the winners of the 34th annualWednesday May 6th, 2020
A Teacher Appreciation Week quote from Richard Roberts (M&A '70):
"I’ve sometimes had to explain why I feel more loyalty to M&A than to any other school I have ever attended. I served on my college’s board of trustees for four four-year terms. My grad school enabled my life-long yearning to set foot on the continent of my African ancestors. My law school launched the path to my life’s ultimate federal judicial career. But no school produced the same deep love I feel for M&A. Much of it stemmed from the swirl of diverse, lively, creative, caring, progressive schoolmates I befriended. But on this Thank A Teacher day, I’ll say this.
M&A made learning and living fun! My home room teacher in the West Tower was Health Ed’s Fran Burack, nearly as young and bubbly as we were, and her colleague, Coach King, gave me my shot on the track-team. Mr. Spitz and Mrs. Gewirtz and Mr. Wong made algebra and trig and calculus come to life so much that I thought I’d be a math major in college. Mr. Levin from his conservative perch nonetheless so enjoyed grammar jousting with this son of English teachers that he wrote in my senior yearbook “you keep me on my toes.” Mrs. Mapp brought to 10th grade biology a joie de vivre. Speaking of which, Madame Plastrik took us outside of her French classroom to give us the kind of three-dimensional deep dive into language rarely seen in public schools. Mrs. Winston reached across the music divide and honored me by asking me to pose for her portraiture class. But it was indeed music where I found my home. Mrs. Dolgow’s voice class mirrored her: chipper and joyous. Miss Shelton’s delightful Southern Belle bearing wrapped her pedagogy with a luscious other-worldlyness you did not want to miss. Morris Lawner had that sly look and impish derring-do that nudged us to be creative and take risks in our composition exercises. (Three Lively Arts magazine even published my original fugue over background sketches students drew of me in Mrs. Winston’s art class.) Sandra Bennett was ever the wind beneath our wings. I think it was Mrs. Mandel that clinched it for me. I saw in myself fairly ordinary vocal ability, but she scheduled me for solo voice class. Her stern rebukes evoked fear when she caught you using less than your best, but they melted into that rapturous smile when you stepped up to produce to your full potential. I saw little reason she would assign me to perform the bass solo that opened the Beethoven’s 9th selection the Senior Choral Ensemble performed at our Carnegie Hall graduation. But I suspect she saw in me someone whom she wanted to assert himself more; she wanted me to own a latent confidence in performance ability. She saw in me what may have led to my receiving the only award bestowed during that graduation ceremony - - the LaGuardia Memorial Association outstanding leadership award. She saw in me what may have led to my appointment as the president and guest conductor of my college choir. She saw in me what may have led to my selection as a Madrigal Singer to tour Europe in my junior year in college. So I guess if I had to salute only one of the fabulous mob of superb educators at M&A, the nod would go to Mrs. Mandel."
(student artwork by Zoe Li - LaG '23)
Well, I echo your description and respect for R.Sybil Mandel, as it's listed in our 1964 yearbook. And I can also say that, even more than 50 years later, my years at M&A were the best educational experience of my life. My classmates, for the most part, agree as well. Everything musically I've become and retained began there. It was truly a one of a kind experience, and boy, were we ever privileged to have it!
Thank you so much Richard for these memories! I’ll always remember playing a Scarlatti sonata while waiting for voice class to start which was wicked fast, and after messing up the first two tries, you were cheering me on to my note-perfect third try. Small victories, shared with friends. One of my happy school memories!
Wasn't it ever? Our Class of '58 will be coming up on our 65th reunion in three years. Hope to see lots of you there!
What a wonderful tribute Richard. Dancer and legendary PA and LaG teacher, Penny Frank, M&A 56, art, is Sybil Mandel’s daughter-in-law and I’ve passed your beautiful words on to her. I also took a photo of you and the fabulous singer from LaG 2000 who sang that afternoon at the ‘95 reunion; please be in touch if you’d like a copy (and I’ll try to find it.) CB, M&A59, (retired A&F director)
Richard - that was a beautiful tribute. The 4 best years, EVER! Please practice our “Marriage of Figaro” duet for our next reunion. Be well, Fredi
Nicely written! I'm from '74, your words about Mrs. Mandel are spot on! Congratulations on all you have accomplished.
I had some of the same teachers (class of '69) and have always considered M&A the best educational experience of my life, including college and grad school. Beautifully expressed!
Wow! I never missed a single day in my four years at M&A, perfect attendance. I even walked the eight miles from my home to M&A in a snow storm when no buses or subways were running. You have articulated why I too loved it so much. Thank you and thank you to my M&A teachers! Class of 1956
You mention so many of the same names I would say... but you left out one of my favorites... Mr. Edwin Manchester (brother of the famous biographer William Manchester, I later learned...) Mr. Manchester opened up a world of literature to me... he brought me to a place where reading was wonderful... Will never forget his 'Odyssey test' either... SO CREATIVE!!!
Thank you for this beautiful tribute to our teachers and our beloved school. The three years that I spent at Music and Art were the best years of my academic life.
I would do it all again if I could, even with the angst of teen years. ‘70.
That was lovely to read, Richard. You brought back memories of many teachers I remember.
Thanks for the look back! Never had any grammar with my English teachers- can I get a rain check at LaGuardia?
Agreed. Best time and learning experience.
It was the best of times!
That was wonderful Richard Roberts.
Wednesday May 6th, 2020
Read a great feature on Nicole Elizabeth Berger (LaG '22) who stars in the upcoming film "Runt" with the late Cameron Boyce and the film "Clover," which is available now on many streaming services. These LaGuardia kids are hard at work in and out of the classroom! issuu.com/mahrungalbaloshi7/docs/may_jamo_2020/24
issuu.com
May Issue 2020. Welcome To Our 64 issue. Featuring Singer, songwriter, and Billboard Charting Artist Lexy Panterraon the cover and her exclusive interview and this issue is filled with Beauty, Fashion...Tuesday May 5th, 2020
Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!
We are more thankful than ever for teachers as they are accomplishing unprecedented feats! LaGuardia's teachers continue to encourage LaGuardia students to be creative and find their artistic voices. And we know first hand that the arts have the power to heal.
Whether you graduated from LaGuardia, or the High Schools of Music and Art or Performing Arts, I'll bet there are many teachers who left indelible marks on your lives. We hope that you take a couple of minutes today to think about a teacher who made a positive impact, and we'd love to hear about it! Please read our latest e-blast here: conta.cc/3fobiu0 and find out how to share the impact of your high school teachers.
Thank you, teachers! We LOVE you!
Tuesday May 5th, 2020
#TriviaTuesday
Did you know that the Academy Award-nominated 1994 movie "Quiz Show" was based on the true story of Music & Art '43 alumnus and Columbia professor Charles Van Doren?
"Directed by Robert Redford 'Quiz Show' is the critically-acclaimed story of a corrupt TV game show that illegally fooled the public and altered the lives of two men (played by Ralph Fiennes and John Turturro. Nominated for five Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and four Golden Globes, it’s a powerful story that also happens to be based on a true situation from the 1950s that changed the nature of television game shows to this day."
www.closerweekly.com/posts/heres-what-happened-with-the-tv-quiz-show-scandal-of-the-1950s/
Here's What Happened With the TV Quiz Show Scandal of the 1950s
www.closerweekly.com
Here's what happened with the TV quiz show scandal from the 1950s; meet the key players: Charles Van Doren, Herb Stempel, Jack Barry and more.Wonderful movie! I watch it whenever it shows up even if I catch only a short bit. I never knew he was a fellow alumus.
Friday May 1st, 2020
#FiorelloFriday performance! Tonight, May 1 at 8pm (EST) watch baritone Theo Hoffman (LaG '11)! Opera Philadelphia will be streaming the world premiere performance of 'Denis & Katya' (2019) in which Theo sang one of the leading roles. The live stream will be Friday, May 1 at 8pm. More about Theo Hoffman: www.theohoffmanbaritone.com/
www.operaphila.org/whats-on/digital-festival/
Friday May 1st, 2020
⭐️Alumni Spotlight!⭐️
Amina Heckstall (LaG '95) shares her work with our community and says: "www.thedrumcall.org is for my dance companies that I have for children and teens and www.femhealing.com is for the dance technique I created and teach online called FEMhealing African Dance. I am currently seeking more young people for my group, also accepting private class bookings online for all ages in West African dance, drum, folklore, song, and choreography." Check out Amina's websites!
PA class of 58❤️
I was class of '85 cuz!
Thursday April 30th, 2020
Congratulations to Natasha Coppola Shalom (LaG '08) on her upcoming action adventure fantasy "Chrome: The Series" streaming May 30th. It's an action adventure fantasy show about an abused robot slave Chrome who, with the help of a repairbot named Perdix, played by Natasha, challenges the dark forces of her cruel masters.
Get to know Natasha here: www.digitaljournal.com/pr/4668528 and watch a trailer for "Chrome": at www.youtube.com/embed/SplFH2Ek6k8?mod=article_inline
Thursday April 30th, 2020
#thankfulthursday
Ellie Sonu (LaG '22) shares her art and says, "I’m thankful that I get to have a high quality education for free. I wouldn’t have made it this far on my own and I have LaGuardia to help me become an artist in the future."
⭐️Fill out our quick form at alumniandfriends.org/thankful/ and tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education! And read why others are thankful.🌠
Wait up...22! I'm 02! What happened to the time???
Thursday April 30th, 2020
Read a great interview with designer Sarah Thompson (LaG '07).
Side note, Sarah's dad Charles is the person running the old "Castle on the Hill" - A. Phillip Randolph. Because of his generosity, we are able to hold Music and Art reunions at the Castle!
garage.vice.com/en_us/article/884pe5/mccombe-thompson-
McCombe Thompson Is Building On Instinct
garage.vice.com
Meet the design duo who found their voice by seeking stillness.Wednesday April 29th, 2020
Beverly Weitzner Bartfeld (LaG '88) is an interior designer who helped CNBC anchor win “the best Skype room on all of cable TV!” Read a great interview with Beverly and get tips on how to make your home look great while you're on video conferences! She says, "Design should feel easy, unpretentious and comfortable. Nothing should be too perfect. It should reflect the person who lives there. Should be great to look at but also functional." Beverly also owns a shop in Montauk: indyhomedesign.com/
www.forbes.com/sites/kristenphilipkoski/2020/04/28/heres-how-cnbcs-david-faber-won-work-from-home...
Here’s How CNBC’s David Faber Won Work From Home Design
www.forbes.com
The home of CNBC anchor David Faber has been called “the best Skype room on all of cable T.V.”Wednesday April 29th, 2020
Read a great story about a lost Music & Art class ring being returned to its owner, Rudel Drears (M&A '84) after almost 30 years. The ring was found in Finland, where the owner had never been!
(We posted about Rudel in 2019 - he and his mom run a weekly jazz parlor in their Harlem apartment: newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/07/04/snapshot-new-york-edgecombe-avenue-jazz-apartment/? )
allmetalmode.com/metal-detecting-mystery-class-ring/
Metal Detecting Mystery: Decades-Old Ring Travel 4,000 Miles
allmetalmode.com
Unique metal detecting find. How did a decades-old class ring travel 4,000 miles without its owner from New Your to Helsinki Finland.ALUMNI ONE LOVE AND THX!!!!
Tuesday April 28th, 2020
A beautiful story about Music & Art 1945 alum (though he left high school before graduation to join the Navy during WWII) and founder of Utrecht Art Supply, Norman Gulamerian, who just passed away from COVID-19 on April 13. Norman was a long-time supporter of Alumni & Friends and LaGuardia students, and his daughter asked that their friends and family make donations in his honor to Alumni & Friends to help young artists.
www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/nyregion/norman-gulamerian-dead-coronavirus.html
Norman Gulamerian, Artist With a Grand Passion, Dies at 92
www.nytimes.com
He fell in love with a young widow with five children, and after years of courtship by mail, he persuaded her to marry him. He died of the coronavirus.Music major here. I somehow know the name Utrecht. I probably saw art students carrying store bags. Also, Pearl Paint: Pearl Paint, the famed establishment, which was founded in 1933, graced Canal Street as a one-stop-shopping place for anything creative. While open, it was accessible by mostly any train line for the artists in New York. Pearl Paint closed on April 22, 2014.
I often used Utrecht over the years but never knew it was begun by an M&Aer.
Tuesday April 28th, 2020
⭐️LaGuardia Student Spotlight! #loveforLaG2020⭐️
Manuela Sánchez Goubert (LaG '20) was a recipient of the Alumni & Friends M&A Class of 1963 Award and will be attending Berklee College of Music in the fall on a scholarship. She plans to pursue her passion for voice and Latin American studies. Enjoy a clip from her last performance at LaGuardia with the Senior Jazz Big Band.
youtu.be/arDlzxSLeRk
Beautiful! Congratulations!!!
Thank you, Alumni and Friends!!
Manuela is so talented ❤️
THATS MY BEST FRIEND
Tuesday April 28th, 2020
Alumni Highlight! Sean Moonsammy (LaG '08) shares his wonderful 2016 Master of Music Graduate Recital performance of "An Die Musik" by Franz Schubert. Sean has toured with Josh Groban and was a backup vocalist with Sir Elton John at Madison Square Garden!
Thank you so much for sharing! This art song is about giving thanks—specifically to music. My art would be nothing without Laguardia High ❤️🤍❤️🤍
Sean Moonsammy! You are an amazing performer! Brings back memories of your doing that masterful rendering of South Pacific at my sister Amrita Gailloit's funeral! Your are an amazing artist, bring tears of joy listing to you! Continue doing what you do best, Sean! Love always!!
Isaac Middleton IV Ryan-O'Neil S. Edwards remember this jam from freshman voice class. Lol
Monday April 27th, 2020
VOTE for Julia Gargano Singer / Songwriter (LaG '16) who performed on 'American Idol' Sunday, April 26, and watch the video of her performance from her home on Staten Island!
3 WAYS TO VOTE until 9am EST on Monday, April 27. You can vote 10 times using all three methods, for 30 votes total.
1️⃣ Vote on idolvote.abc.com
2️⃣ Download and vote on the American Idol app (available for both iPhone and Android)
3️⃣ Text "17" to 21523
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTfhZv5L8RI
Great performance!
We did!
Sunday April 26th, 2020
Check out Emmy winner Jharrel Jerome (LaG '15) in his new film available on Amazon Prime: 'Selah and the Spades.'
The NY Times says, 'In the exceptionally composed drama Selah and the Spades, high school is a battleground where cliques are locked in a struggle for control of the social scene. For the moment, the Spades dominate a fictitious Pennsylvania boarding school called Haldwell, and they are effectively commanded by Selah, a senior gifted in strategic maneuvers."
www.nytimes.com/2020/04/16/movies/selah-and-the-spades-review.html
‘Selah and the Spades’ Review: This Isn’t Your Average Teen Drama
www.nytimes.com
New talent behind and in front of the camera elevates a familiar tale of high-school strife.Saturday April 25th, 2020
Tune in and VOTE for Julia Gargano Singer / Songwriter (LaG '16) who will be on 'American Idol' Sunday, April 26, 8pm on ABC!
🚨🚨3 WAYS TO VOTE THIS SUNDAY! 🚨🚨Only 10 will make it through the next round. ✨Remember to vote TEN TIMES ON ALL THREE METHODS. This means each person can contribute 30 votes. There are three ways to vote throughout the competition:
1️⃣ Vote on idolvote.abc.com
2️⃣ Download and vote on the American Idol app (available for both iPhone and Android)
3️⃣ Text "17" to 21523
Follow Julia on Instagram share in her journey:
instagram.com/julia.gargano?igshid=a8b901mjna6o
Friday April 24th, 2020
Happy #FiorelloFriday! There is a longstanding tradition of LaGuardia students and faculty being welcomed into the school building on Friday mornings with a performance by fellow students. Today, the school shared a video of the LaGuardia Chorus performing "Cantare." Enjoy!
www.laguardiahs.org/apps/video/watch.jsp?v=10063463
Great video of Women's!! (Not senior chorus)
Wow, lovely! Waiting for next year with baited breath!
Fall semester in the building? (Not holding my breath.)
Bravo, my fellow artists⭐️🎶
Oh.. Yes!! Love you all at LaG..
Thursday April 23rd, 2020
#thankfulthursday
Our friend Peter Adler (Music & Art class of Spring 1949) shares, "Besides making life-long friends and leading me to Cooper Union, Music and Art was the first step in a long and fruitful arts career. Thanks Mayor Fiorello."
📝Fill out our quick form - alumniandfriends.org/thankful/ - and tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education! And read why others are thankful.
(🎨thank you artwork by Tabitha Cavanaugh - LaG '19 - recipient of the Alumni & Friends Nancy C. Seligsohn Memorial Art Award)
Tuesday April 21st, 2020
DJ Mario-Francisco Robles Peña (LaG '01) and his daily 6:30pm "Porch Parties" in Whitestone, Queens featured on "Live With Kelly and Ryan." And it looks like Mario was just hired to DJ their staff holiday party! Spreading love through the arts!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S8YZfaIDdc&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3XtdterrI3kXrQn9DgdrdGPJCZdPvKbrY...
Ah... Whitestone... My old home town...
Way to go Mario!!
that's very cool
Tuesday April 21st, 2020
Congratulations to Michele Agosto (LaG '88), Director of Arts for the Buffalo City School District. She is the winner of this year’s Spark Award for Trailblazer of the Arts, an honor that recognizes an individual for their efforts to call attention to the importance of the arts through their work in advocacy, arts administration, curating, or promotion.
www.buffalorising.com/2020/04/spark-spotlight-michele-agosto-trailblazer-of-the-arts/
Spark Spotlight: Michele Agosto, Trailblazer of the Arts
www.buffalorising.com
Michele Agosto is the winner of this year’s Spark Award for Trailblazer of the Arts, an honor that recognizes an individual for their efforts to call attention to the importance of the arts through ...Thank you for the shout-out LaG family! I’m very much the person I am today because of my experiences there. Very proud to be a LaG grad. ❤️
congrats!
Monday April 20th, 2020
⭐️Alumni Highlight!⭐️
Thank you Nina Cochran (M&A '82) for sharing what you do! Nina's company is CodeNYC - codenyc.net:
"From logo creation to idea development, we help local businesses identify their brand in the marketplace. While effectively providing branding and marketing tools for various industries, we develop design solutions uniquely fitted for each client. Including expertly facilitating all areas of production from graphic design, prepress to the final delivery. Projects are built from concept to completion."
Alumni, we want to highlight YOU! Share what you do with Alumni & Friends and we will post with pride! forms.gle/5Mg61bvCkk3rDSnx6
Monday April 20th, 2020
Watch this fun and fabulous video with the Broadway cast of the 2006 "A Chorus Line" revival reunite dance through the iconic opening number.
www.broadway.com/buzz/199107/5678-watch-the-cast-of-the-2006-a-chorus-line-revival-reunite-to-dan...
www.broadway.com
It's been 12 years since the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line closed on Broadway, and now the group of hopeful auditioners are back together again. …Monday April 20th, 2020
⭐️Calling all NYC professional Jazz Musicians!⭐️
The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation (LAEF) has created The Louis Armstrong Emergency Fund for Jazz Musicians to provide much needed support to musicians in the New York Metropolitan Area. The fund has allocated one million dollars to award $1,000 one-time grants to assist individual freelance Jazz Musicians that live and/or work with regularity in the five boroughs of New York City.
louisarmstrongfoundation.org/musicians-emergency-fund/
Louis Armstrong Emergency Fund for Jazz Musicians – About | Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation
louisarmstrongfoundation.org
Louis Armstrong Emergency Fund for Jazz Musicians For Musicians: Information & Application For Supporters: Donate to the Fund Here The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation | LAEF, has created The Lo...Friday April 17th, 2020
#FiorelloFriday Alumni Highlight!
Salomé Chitaia (LaG '09) is currently at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma and shares a beautiful video of her playing with renowned violinist Yuri Kuroda at a classical music festival in Tbilisi, Georgia:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RRR_QLxIFM
This video is with her mother, who is a professor of piano at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQYDEy8yHe4
Thank you! <3
Friday April 17th, 2020
Read about Amira Baigina (LaG '09) and listen to her new single "Away!" And a great shoutout to LaGuardia's New Music Ensemble teacher Robert Apostle. ventsmagazine.com/2020/04/16/interview-amira-b-talks-and-premieres-new-single-away/
INTERVIEW: Amira B Talks (And Premieres) New Single "Away" -
ventsmagazine.com
Hi Amira, welcome to VENTS! How have you been? I’ve been great! Trying to stay busy in these crazy times, thanks for asking… Can you talk to us more about your single “Away”? “Away” is a s...thank you so much for sharing!
Thursday April 16th, 2020
FREE Kids' Animal Face-mask Online Workshop with Lara Kazan (LaG '89) from MAKE It Studio!
Sunday 4/19 from 2:30 to 3:30pm. Ages 6 & up (adult help needed for ages 6-8). Pre-registration is required at lara@studiomakeit.com
Hand Sewing or a combination of sewing machine and hand sewing.
You won't have to worry about getting your kids to wear a face-mask again after they make this for themselves. They will be proud to show it off and will have a blast MAKING it. When you register we will let you know all the details on how to get onto our platform and what supplies you will need. Details here: www.studiomakeit.com/copy-of-workshiops-mini-camps
Lara Kazan, these are so cute!!!
Thursday April 16th, 2020
#thankfulthursday
Joe Miller (LaG '92) says, "My years at LaGuardia were the best 4 of my life. ❤❤❤"
I think we can all agree!
📝Fill out our quick form - alumniandfriends.org/thankful/ - and tell us why YOU are thankful for your FREE public school arts education! And read why others are thankful.
(thank you drawn by Sharis Chan - LaG '17 - recipient of the Alumni & Friends Northan Bing Memorial Art Award)
Wednesday April 15th, 2020
Shoutout to SNL's Michael Che (LaG '01) for his amazing generosity! He lost his grandmother to COVID-19 last week and is now covering rent payments for all 160 apartments in the NYC public housing project where his late grandmother lived.
www.tmz.com/2020/04/15/michael-che-paying-one-month-rent-apartments-nycha-grandmother-public-hous...
Michael Che Paying One Month’s Rent For 160 Apartments in NYC
www.tmz.com
Michael Che says he's paying one month's rent for tenants in his late grandmother's New York City public housing building.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
We need more people like Michael. Thank you for your kindness. COVID-19 is serious business.
Beautiful tribute to her legacy 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙌🏾
This is what people should be doing for each other. It's called being a human being.
What a great thing to do. Thank you Michael.
That is so wonderful. Blessings to him. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
The humanity 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿- bravo Michael!
Love you bro! ❤👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼This is what humanity looks like!!
God Bless you!!
God bless him!
Love this guy!! 💖
Go, Michael!!
Bravo!!!
That’s great 💯🙏🏽
I ❤️ him
wow 💓
Freddy Cheng
Jayson Simba
Wednesday April 15th, 2020
Read a book review on Hollywood director Barry Sonnenfeld's (M&A '70) memoir "Call Your Mother." Sonnenfeld directed the "Men in Black" trilogy, "Get Shorty," and "The Addams Family," and was director of photography on 1980s films like “Blood Simple,” “Raising Arizona” and “When Harry Met Sally." www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/books/review/barry-sonnenfeld-call-your-mother-barry-sonnenfeld.html
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: A Neurotic Filmmaker’s Life Story
www.nytimes.com
In his memoir, “Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother,” the director of “Men in Black” and “The Addams Family” tells both hilarious and harrowing stories.Wonder how many teachers we had in common... so many wonderfully talented people walked those same halls that we did...
Wednesday April 15th, 2020
The cast of Broadway’s "Ain’t Too Proud" got together — remotely, of course — to perform the show’s opening number “The Way You Do the Things You Do" and it's amazing!
Music director Kenny Seymour (LaG '88) had each of the singers and musicians tape their part of the song and then mixed them all together. Orlando Wells (LaG '89) is violin 1/concert master.
deadline.com/video/temptations-aint-too-proud-video-broadway-cast-the-way-you-do-the-things-you-do
Remote Temptations: ‘Ain’t Too Proud’ Broadway Cast & Band Harmonize On Classic Motown Hit For Video
deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: The way we do the things we do has changed so much in recent weeks that a classic Temptations song might be what everyone needs right now. In this video, the cast of Broadway’s Ain…Tuesday April 14th, 2020
Alumni Highlight!
Jose M Velazquez Jr. (LaG '17) sings 'Zueignung,' by Richard Strauss. Jose is currently a student at Manhattan School of Music and sang at the 2019 alumni reunion. He was a recipient of numerous Alumni & Friends awards and scholarships - The Father Fame Award for Vocal Music, Irene Levoy Award, Norm Potash Award, The Brian Lipton Summer Study Scholarship, and the Cynthia Lewin Summer Study Scholarship.
Did he sing the national Anthem at a swim meet? Because I may have a photo...
Jose.. well done!!!👏🏽👏🏽
Tuesday April 14th, 2020
When SNL does a sketch about you during their quarantine episode (April 11), you know you've reached a whole new level of stardom! Watch Chloe Fineman as Timothee Chalamet (LaG '13).
www.vulture.com/2020/04/snls-chloe-fineman-offers-timothee-chalamet-masterclass.html
SNL Offers Timothée Chalamet’s MasterClass on How to Look Like Timothée Chalamet
www.vulture.com
If you’re not starting with that head of hair, though, you might as well give up now.Tuesday April 14th, 2020
Timothee Chalamet (LaG '13) stars in the new adaptation of the sci-fi classic "Dune," scheduled for a December release.
www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/04/a-first-look-at-timothee-chalamet-in-dune
A First Look at Timothée Chalamet in Dune
www.vanityfair.com
Part one of our preview of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the epic sci-fi novel.Monday April 13th, 2020
Broadway star Danny Burstein (PA '82) shares his recent experience with COVID-19.
www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/broadway-star-danny-burstein-his-harrowing-coronavirus-experience-...
www.hollywoodreporter.com
The six-time Tony nominee, who was starring in 'Moulin Rouge' at the time of the shutdown, opens up about the alarming progression of his illness, his terrifying hospitalization and his recovery at ho...Monday April 13th, 2020
The show must go on!
LaGuardia art students have created a beautiful website for SENIOR ART SHOW #4: MERAKI
(V.) GREEK; TO DO SOMETHING WITH SOUL, CREATIVITY, OR LOVE !
www.lagartshows.com/
Please click on each artist's photo to view their artwork and we encourage you to comment to show your #loveforlag
Monday April 13th, 2020
Tonight (April 13, 2020) at 6:30pm watch Charles Busch (M&A '72) performing his "Native New Yorker" Cabaret at Feinstein's/54 Below! This actor/playwright/cabaret entertainer, Tony Award nominee, and two-time MAC Award winner delivers an eclectic songbook from the seventies and early eighties. Busch unfolds an outrageously comic yet also poignant tale of his early years striving to find a place for himself in show business. He is joined by his longtime musical director Tom Judson.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=On4S43Qfnqo
Go Chuck!
Monday April 13th, 2020
Enjoy some fun with art! DO try this at home!
gulfnews.com/going-out/coronavirus-getty-museum-challenged-people-to-recreate-artworks-at-home-1....
Coronavirus: Getty Museum challenged people to recreate artworks at home
gulfnews.com
You have to see these hilarious recreations of these works of artMonday April 13th, 2020
Congratulations to Shamel Pitts (LaG '03) who has just been awarded a 2020 Guggenheim Fellowship Award for choreography!
Shamel says, "To be awarded as a 2020 Guggenheim Fellow is an incredibly inspiring, exhilarating, and emotional surprise. I am beyond honored to be amongst such esteemed artists who I am constantly in awe of. WOW!
This award propels me forward at a time where there is nowhere to go, but to #stayhome! I have always felt a clear connection between solitude and creativity. I hope to use this moment to slow down...to listen, and to connect as best as possible to the depths of my artistic voice in an effort to create something anew.
With solitude comes solidarity.
I am so grateful to have the support of Guggenheim, as well as the community of artists and people both near & far who have become my TRIBE."
www.gf.org/fellows/all-fellows/Shamel-Pitts/
John Simon Guggenheim Foundation | Shamel Pitts
www.gf.org
Shamel Pitts is a performance artist, choreographer, conceptual artist, dancer, spoken word artist, and teacher. Born in Brooklyn New York, Shamel began his dance training at LaGuardia High School for...Learn more about Shamel: www.shamelpitts.com/bio/
Thank You So Much 🙏🏾🖤 Alumni and Friends of LaGuardia High School
Congratulations 🎊🎉
Monday April 13th, 2020
We sadly announce the passing of amazing jazz bassist and bandleader Andy Gonzalez (M&A '69).
www.wbgo.org/post/titan-tumbao-remembering-latin-jazz-bassist-and-bandleader-andy-gonz-lez#stream/0
A Titan of Tumbao: Remembering Latin Jazz Bassist and Bandleader Andy González
www.wbgo.org
Andy González, who died on April 9 in the Bronx, was a bassist who followed in the footsteps of seminal Latin players like Israel “Cachao” López and BobbySaturday April 11th, 2020
Some great performances to watch this weekend (and the article is written by the mom of a 9th-grade LaGuardia art student)!
www.tdf.org/stages/article/2388/22-stage-performances-to-watch-this-weekend-april-11-12?fbclid=Iw...
TDF Stages: 22 Stage Performances to Watch This Weekend, April 11-12
www.tdf.org
Two versions of Jesus Christ Superstar, a star-studded Seder and moreWe attempted to count the # of LaG Alumni on JCSS when it was going on, I believe we got to 5/6.
Saturday April 11th, 2020
More heartbreaking news announced April 11, 2020: New York City’s public schools will remain closed through the end of the academic year.
www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/nyregion/nyc-schools-closed.html
New York City Schools Are Closed for Rest of Academic Year
www.nytimes.com
The announcement confirmed that more than 1.1 million students will go without regular schooling for more than three months, as educators struggle to adjust to remote learning.Feeling allllllll the feels for the seniors who won’t get their senior projects, prom and spectacular graduation
For La Guardia students this is terrible news. Going to school there for me was such a blessing and I loved every day within those walls.
They can continue their work and postpone prom and graduation celebrations into early August. If they are resourceful.
You should remove this post now that Cuomo has revoked what Deblasio announced.
Do they have a prom now?? (In our day we didnt!)
Friday April 10th, 2020
Thank you to Mario-Francisco Robles Peña (LaG '01) for throwing daily DJ porch parties in Queens!
"My whole thing as a DJ is to get people to celebrate things and usually we are celebrating a couple or we are celebrating a birthday, but here we are celebrating an entire city full of heroes," said Robles.
Check out Mario's DJ page and make sure to "like" it! www.facebook.com/MarioTheWeddingDJ
www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/dj-brings-queens-neighbors-together-for-songs-showing-gratit...?
DJ Brings Queens Neighbors Together for Songs, Showing Gratitude for First Responders
www.nbcnewyork.com
Mario Robles has been throwing porch parties for his neighbors during the coronavirus pandemic. Old and new music has brought his Flushing, Queens, neighbors closer in these tough times.Allison Abrams
And another great video from NY1: www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2020/04/06/queens-dj-hosts--porch-party--for-neighbors
Thursday April 9th, 2020
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!
Alumni Forever🎼🥀🎨🎭💚
Yes!!!!!!!!!
Thursday April 9th, 2020
🎼TONIGHT, TONIGHT! April 9, 2020 at 10pm - join the cast of Broadway's "West Side Story" as they perform live from their homes on the Broadway Sessions Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Bwaysessions/
Dharon Jones (LaG '16) plays Riff and Lorna Courtney (LaG '16) plays Rosalia and the understudy for Maria.
Feel free to comment, ask questions, and interact with the cast members! Have fun!
Thursday April 9th, 2020
We sadly announce the passing of the great jazz pianist and composer Onaje Allan Gumbs (M&A '67).
www.wbgo.org/post/onaje-allan-gumbs-pianist-whose-reach-spanned-soulful-and-smooth-dies-70#stream/0
Onaje Allan Gumbs, Pianist Whose Reach Spanned the Soulful and the Smooth, Dies at 70
www.wbgo.org
Onaje Allan Gumbs, a pianist-composer whose firm foundation in hard bop supported an expansive career in pop-R&B and smooth jazz, died on Monday at