Amanda Gallo Selected as East End Arts Council School of the Arts Paul Sisson Memorial Fund Scholarship Winner
 
(Riverhead, N.Y.) – The East End Arts Council is pleased to name Amanda Gallo, a sophomore attending Riverhead High School as the 2009 music scholarship recipient of the Paul Sisson Memorial Fund. The Paul Sisson Memorial Fund was created by the Friends of the Riverhead Free Library in memory of Mr. Paul Sisson, a lover of classical music and driving force in the development of the Library’s Piano Plus Concert Series. This is the eighth year an East End Arts Council School of the Arts music student has been awarded a scholarship through the generous support of the Friends of Riverhead Free Library.
 
Amanda began studying piano at the School of the Arts in 2001 with Ellis Pelham and feels that he helped pave the way for her to learn other instruments. Amanda says, “Music seems to come naturally to me.” She has consistently received perfect or near perfect scores on her NYSSMA solos. In the 5th grade, Amanda began studying violin at school and then privately at the School of the Arts with James Lewin. As a member of her school orchestra, in 2007 she was honored with the Directors Award Medal. In 2008, Amanda began teaching herself the basics of guitar before starting private lessons at the School of the Arts with instructor Erik Blydenburgh.
 
In addition to her musical studies, Amanda has attended EEAC visual arts and theatre classes, Chamber Ensemble, Youth Choir and Renaissance Kid Camp to which she returned as a junior camp counselor. This past summer, Amanda was a member of the pit orchestra for North Fork Community Theatre’s production of Guys & Dolls. In addition, Amanda is a member of Riverhead High School’s theatre club, Blue Masques, Science Club and NJROTC.  Amanda is currently taking music theory classes at high school, has enjoyed teaching music to some of her friends, and plans to pursue a career in Music Education and/or Jazz Studies, but would also enjoy becoming a professional pit musician. “Whatever I end up doing,” says Amanda, “it will involve music, because it’s been with me since I was a child and my love for it will never fade.”  The P. Sisson scholarship will allow her to continue her piano studies with her teacher, Julia Den Boer at the EEAC School of the Arts. Amanda wishes to thank everyone responsible for the opportunity to receive this scholarship and says that it really means a lot to her to have this support. For additional information, please contact the School of the Arts at (631) 369-2171, or visit www.eastendarts.org.
 
The EEAC School of the Arts has 500 students each semester studying voice, piano, drums, violin, guitar and other instruments, as well as music composition and recording. Currently, we are able to provide scholarships for 27 deserving students, but many more are on a waiting list. For more information on how to contribute to the Arts Council Music Scholarship fund or to include the Arts Council Scholarship Fund in your estate planning, please contact Cathy Gerardi, Development Director at (631)727-0900 ext. 303 or cgerardi@eastendarts.org.
 
East End Arts Council, established in 1972,  is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization recognized by the IRS and the NYS Bureau of Charities.  Proceeds of all events, sales, classes, donations and memberships benefit our mission of bringing the arts to everyone and inspiring our communities through service, advocacy and education.