Christopher Hale, the director of music and the arts in the East Meadow School District, has been appointed as the Manhasset School District’s new fine and performing arts director, members of the Board of Education announced at their March 6 meeting.
He will replace Anthony Ambrogio, who will retire at the end of June after 13 years in the school district.
Hale taught music in the East Meadow School District before becoming its chairman of music and the arts. In 2017, he became the director.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Hale as part of our team,” said Manhasset School District Superintendent Vincent Butera. “It is evident that Dr. Hale cares deeply for the arts and shares a passion for nurturing the gift of the arts for each of our students.”
Hale is a past president of the Nassau Music Educators Association.
He earned a doctorate at St. John’s University in educational leadership in addition to a music education bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in wind conducting from Hofstra University.
Manhasset School District places an emphasis on the arts, Hale said, which is something he is excited to be a part of.
“Just to be in a place that has those kinds of values and to be able to continue the great work that Anthony Ambrogio started is a tremendous opportunity,” he said.
As director of music he holds his programs to high standards while also making the experience accessible to as many students as possible, he said.
Being exposed to music when he was young changed his life and shaped his academic journey, Hale said, which reinforces the value he places on the arts for students.
“[It] really made a profound difference in my life, and now as a father I’m seeing the impact of that exposure to music early on with my daughters,” he said.
Ambrogio knows Hale as a fellow music administrator and said he is a good role model and works well with school communities.
“Chris Hale is going to take it to new heights — guaranteed,” Ambrogio said.
As Ambrogio prepares for retirement, he said he is very pleased with what he has accomplished over the years in Manhasset. Retirement is simply an opportunity to move on, he said.
“It’s been a joy to have been here, and I’m just so glad that I could be part of the Manhasset legacy and the excellence in education,” he said. “Being part of the Manhasset community is something I will always treasure.”
