On Monday, February 5, 2024, the Bethpage High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Kay, participated in the 1st annual regional Essentially Ellington Competition at the Tilles Center in Brookville, NY.
The students performed Billy Strayhorn's "Boo Dah," the standard "When I Fall In Love," and "It's Oh, So Nice," by Sammy Nestico. Students listened to several other local high school jazz ensembles and had a jazz workshop with renowned drummer Jerome Jennings and saxophonist Jeff Lederer.
The students in the Bethpage High School Jazz Ensemble are Kayla Cusumano, Ryan O'Connell, Ben Maciel-Seidman, Nick Morgan, Daniela Cross, Elizabeth Christiansen, Samantha Ocasio, Miraj Shah, Danielle Betwinek, Aaryan Rupesh, Hailey Hartmann, Matthew An, Nayeli Perla, Ava Gianfrancesco, Samantha Harold, Matthew Schneider, Kaitlyn Ocuto, Giulia Zingone, Jackson Boyle, and Ellie Park.
Special thanks to Ms. Warnokowski who helped to chaperone the event.
