Eleven terrific East Islip student-musicians were recently chosen to attend the Long Island String Festival Association’s annual ensemble festival alongside the other top orchestra students from Suffolk County. These outstanding students were selected through a rigorous process that included participation in NYSSMA, teacher recommendations and the LISFA selection committee.

Selected from East Islip were John F. Kennedy Elementary School fifth grader Antonia Umana Plazas (violin); Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School fifth grader Jameson Bossert (double bass); East Islip Middle School sixth grader Adriana Perez (violin) and eighth grader Leah Kearns (violin); and East Islip High School students Sofia Caviedes (bass), Maddy Halter (violin), Aeryn Maloney (viola), Lucas Massa (bass), Zeynep Oztas (violin), Cormac Zusmer (cello) and Peyton Zusmer (bass).

“Antonia has been playing violin since she was 5 years old,” JFK music teacher Jaime DeMaria said. “She moved to the United States from Colombia when she was 7 years old and continued her violin studies in school and at home. In addition to LISFA, she was recommended to perform with the SCMEA Festival as well and intends to perform a level III solo for NYSSMA this spring.”

“Our students dedicated countless hours last year, not only to their orchestra rehearsals but also in preparing for their NYSSMA performances,” middle school music teacher Katelyn Odierna said. “Their commitment has truly paid off, and they are more than deserving of this wonderful honor.”

During LISFA weekend, student-musicians participate in two rehearsals and a concert. The high school students performed Jan. 11 at the Eastport-South Manor School District, while the fifth through eighth grade students will perform Jan. 24 and 25 at the Northport School District.