The Greater Amsterdam School District is proud to recognize its February Musicians of the Month! These talented students have demonstrated exceptional musical ability, dedication, and leadership across a variety of programs, from band and chorus to general music classes.
Elio Ravelo Pena (AHS Trombone and Piano): Elio Ravelo Pena is a junior trombonist and pianist in the Marching Rams, Advanced Concert Band, and Pit ensemble for the drama musicals. Elio is friendly, outgoing, and loves to joke around, but underneath his laid back exterior, he is a serious pianist. Elio attended the NYSSMA solo festival last year on a level six piano solo, receiving an outstanding score of 99 and will be attending this year’s festival as well. Elio recently stepped in to play an important piano part at the Montgomery All County Music Festival along with playing trombone for the other programmed pieces. Most notably, Elio has taken on difficult piano books for the drama club pit ensemble over the past few years, and this year is doing incredible work on his piano book for the drama club’s spring production of “Hadestown: Teen Edition.” You can catch his work on display along with the other members of the pit, cast and crew at the musical this April 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. and April 6 at 2p.m.
Elio Ravelo Pena
Jorge Martinez (AHS Voice): Jorge Martinez, a junior, recently joined our Select Chorus this year and already has been making his mark. Jorge shows great initiative and focus when learning new music and brings a wonderful energy and dynamic to our groups. Jorge is always kind and seeks to support others. Jorge is active not just in Chorus but in our Drama Club as well. He made his debut last year as LeFou in Disney’s Beauty And The Beast and has been involved ever since! He was recently in our Sr. Chorus for the Montgomery All County Chorus Festival and was also featured as a soloist. It has been great to see Jorge grow in our program and we look forward to seeing his work further! Bravo Jorge!
Jorge Martinez
Gianna Spagnola (LLA Clarinet/Keyboard): Gianna is an eighth grade concert and jazz band student who always goes above and beyond as a musician. Gianna is involved in many musical opportunities including concert band as a clarinetist, jazz band on keyboard, and has recently begun playing oboe and performed with the 6th grade concert band in the December concert. She is helpful and a leader in rehearsals, holding her own playing to the highest standards and being someone others can go to for advice. Beyond her musical accomplishments, she is a joy to have in the classroom and we are so proud to have her be a part of our band program. Congratulations Gianna!
Gianna Spagnola
Ayden Clark & Timothy Dufresne III (LLA Voice): Ayden and Timothy are both in LLA’s sixth grade Chorus. Their fun and energetic personalities shine bright in their section of the group. They are excellent singers as well as percussionists, often playing the cajon drum or tambourine in class. Keep up the great work and keep inspiring others around you!
Ayden Clark & Timothy Dufresne III
Brody Dodd (LLA Saxophone): Brody is a dedicated alto sax player in sixth grade who has been excelling in his band class! He comes to all of his lessons and is always ready to help his classmates. He helped represent Amsterdam in the All-County Junior Band this first weekend in March, and took that role very seriously, practicing non-stop to make sure he was prepared for this prestigious opportunity. Keep up the great work Brody, we’re all very proud of you!
Brody Dodd
Leyla Beltran, Tyler Cabrera, Penelope Davis, Paul Jennings, Izzy Jimenez, Max Miller, Mirasia Nealon, Calvin Ogilvie, Christian O’Shaughnessy, Lakon Puglisi, Patrick Rogers, Cameron Roman, Isabella Tirado, Kris Turner, and Deon Vick Lamica (LLA General Music 6) - These sixth grade students have all passed Black Belt in Piano Karate! They started from the very beginning with basic note reading, and now they’re playing 2 hand piano! Congrats to all!
Leyla Beltran, Tyler Cabrera, Penelope Davis, Paul Jennings, Izzy Jimenez, Max Miller, Mirasia Nealon, Calvin Ogilvie, Christian O’Shaughnessy, Lakon Puglisi, Patrick Rogers, Cameron Roman, Isabella Tirado, Kris Turner, and Deon Vick Lamica
Teresa Mazzone (Curie GM): Teresa is a fifth grade student at Marie Curie Elementary. She is a very focused musician and team player in the music classroom. Teresa is also in chorus and plays clarinet in band. Teresa is a great leader who loves a new challenge and to help her peers during Orff Ensemble rehearsals. She even got her own bell kit to practice at home! During music class, she is always very attentive and focused on each musical activity. Keep up the amazing work!
Teresa Mazzone
Valentina Gomez Aristizabal (McNulty GM): Valentina is a fifth grade student at McNulty Academy. She is a member of fifth Grade Chorus, fifth Grade Orff Ensemble, and plays clarinet in Band. Valentina consistently demonstrates a high level of responsibility, balancing her many commitments between her leadership roles at McNulty and her participation in various musical groups. She is dependable, hard working, and has a fantastic attitude. Keep up the great work!
Valentina Gomez Aristizabal
Ana Hulett (Tecler GM) : Ana is a fourth Grade student at Tecler Elementary. She is a member of the Ukulele Club and the fourth grade choir. During music and ukulele club she is always on task, asking questions and willing to offer her help to the teacher or another classmate. Her enthusiasm for music is infectious! Great job Ana! Keep it up!
Ana Hulett
Liam Cetnar (Elem. Band Saxophone): Liam is a fifth Grade saxophone student at Marie Curie. He is a well-rounded musician who is always focused and attentive in lessons. He takes songs he learned in Orff Ensemble and on the piano and figures out how to play them on sax. It takes a great understanding of music notation and theory to do this independently. Keep up the great work!
Liam Cetnar