North High students participate in selective and competitive music programs

The Island Now
Great Neck North High School
John L. Miller North High School. (Photo from Google Maps)

North High School sophomore Jeremy Bernstein and recent grads Lauren Goldsamt and Sofia Notar-Francesco all participated in selective or competitive, audition-based music programs over the summer.

Jeremy Bernstein, who plays the cello, was a member of the School of Orchestral Studies, part of the New York State Summer School of the Arts. He received the Nassau Music Educators Association Durrell Blank Scholarship to attend the program that was held at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, at Skidmore College. Jeremy joined some 90 other public and private high school musicians from schools throughout the state.

In the month-long program, he studied and rehearsed with world-class musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra. He also received coaching in small groups and in sectional rehearsals. Jeremy currently is a member of the orchestra and chamber music society at North. He organized a cello ensemble and conducts rehearsals twice a week, after school. Last year, Jeremy was selected for All-County Orchestra.

Lauren Goldsamt, currently a freshman at Oberlin College & Conservatory where she is a music and English major, plays the violin. She was selected for the String Studies at NYU Steinhardt. The program provided advanced performance training, related academic study, private lessons with celebrated musicians, and performance opportunities within New York City, including solo recitals and repertory orchestras. At North High, Lauren was a member of the orchestra and was also selected for All-County Orchestra.

Sofia Notar-Francesco, a violist and alto singer, attended the Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, located in Wheatly Heights, NY. While at Usdan, she not only took classes, but also taught them. She participated in an interactive and hands-on program that allowed students to concentrate on a single discipline while also exploring multiple disciplines. This was perfect for Sofia as she excels as a violist and also as an alto singer. Last year, she was chosen for All-County Chorus. At North, Sofia was principal violist in the orchestra and a member of the chorus. She is currently a freshman at Syracuse University where she is a music education major.

Share this Article