Music Institute of Long Island, located in Manhasset at the Community Reformed Church announced its Three New York State Schools Music Association all-state  2023 winners.

Besides the three participants, we have another student, a cellist, who is waiting to be called from the alternate list.

All-State is very difficult to get into even if you receive a perfect score of 100.  Especially if you are from Long Island, a very competitive area.

The All State Music Conference showcases students from all over New York State, performing in 2 orchestras, bands, jazz band, choir and piano showcase.

The Music Institute of Long Island’s NYSSMA  all-state sinners: Christian Li, Alston Leung and Hugh Choi all are juniors in high school.

Li, piano, Port Washington. He began playing piano at the age of three and has been taking piano lessons from Elena Basok from Music Institute of Long Island for over 10 years.

He has competed and won many international music competitions, including the Grand Prix Prize and performed at Carnegie Hall for which he won best soloist several times.

This year  Christian has been selected to perform at the All State’s Piano Showcase. Christian was one of the 11 students selected in the entire New York State to perform based on hundreds of submissions.

While in Hong Kong for 2018-2022 he was able to complete the ABRSM Level 8 piano performance exam with distinction and also founded a non-for-profit organization where he organized an online charity concert using music and technology. He raised over $4,000 in donations for global charities such as “Save the Children” and “Save the Music Foundation”.  Christian has performed for many charities and nursing homes. He raised a lot of money for the Tsunami in Japan and Hurricane Sandy by participating in practice marathons implemented by the Music Institute of Long Island.

Christian besides being a pianist he is also a choir member and music producer. He is a piano accompanist for his high school choir and orchestra. He also digitally produces his own digital music and distributes his work on Spotify.

Besides his passion for music, Christian is also a competitive swimmer, he is part of his schools’ varsity swim team and Long Island Aquatics Club. Christian’s other hobbies include golfing, skateboarding, watching sports and traveling.

Alston Leung, violin, Great Neck South, at the age of 16, Alston has already spent 13 years honing his skills in both piano and violin, beginning his studies at the tender age of 3 at the Music Institute of Long Island.

Under the tutelage of Director Carol Kushner for violin and pianist Alla Bell for piano, Alston has not only developed his talents but also competed in numerous competitions organized by various music organizations. He has won Grand Prix Prize and first place in many music competitions.

His exceptional performances have led him to grace stages at prestigious music halls such as the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center.

Alston has won music competitions earning him solos with orchestra. In recognition of his outstanding abilities, Alston achieved full scores at NYSSMA level 6 for both violin and piano in 2022 and 2023.

Since 2013, Alston has generously shared his musical talents with the community, performing at hospitals and benefit concerts ie Lustgarten Foundation, Cerebral Palsy and nursing homes.

His passion for the arts extends beyond music; he is also an accomplished artist who has been winning awards in various art contests since he was just 6 years old.  His artistic prowess was recognized in 2022 when he received two honorable mentions at the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Alston has performed as soloist and in many chamber groups on both violin and piano.  In fact he and Fellow MILI student and ALL STATE Winner,  Christian Li (see above)  have performed in a violin/piano duo earning the Grand Prix Prize and performed at Carnegie Hall.

Hugh Choi, flute,  Great Neck South High School, started playing the flute, given to him by neighbors, in 3rd grade. He learned the basics from a local church.  Hugh came to Music Institute of Long Island in 2021, studying with Kristine Dubyn, he made huge progress in this short time.

Hugh has participated in All County annually since 5th grade and has been a member of both the New York Laureates Orchestra and Metropolitan Youth Orchestras.

While at MILI Hugh has performed in various concerts, chamber groups and performed at the Benefit Concert for Ukraine- faculty and select student concert.

His love for music and flute is palpable and contagious.  Hugh would practice for hours at MILI, any time there was a room that was available.  His attitude changed towards flute while studying at MILI and he knew this was what he wanted to do with his future.

With his talent, focus and persistence in practicing, Hugh applied and was the only new flutist accepted into the Preparatory Program at the Juilliard School, NYC

Besides flute he enjoys playing Badminton and he is the captain of his Varsity team.  We wish him lots of success and he will always be part of MILI.