Two North Shore Schools alumni with the New York Youth Symphony won a Grammy for “Best Orchestral Performance,” the first time in history that a youth orchestra has captured the award in that category.
Angelo Antinori, a percussionist and NSHS Class of 2016 alum, and Eileen Zhao, violinist and NSHS Class of 2022 alumna, were recognized at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards held Feb. 5.
Antinori participated in multiple musical groups at North Shore and earned spots in All County, All State, All Eastern and All National ensembles. He was accepted into the Juilliard pre-college program and earned a performance degree from The Cleveland Institute of Music.
Zhao was a leader in the orchestra and select chamber orchestra at North Shore, assuming position of first chair violinist. She earned top positions in the Long Island String Festival, All County ensembles and was a member of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. She currently attends Case Western Reserve, where she is pursuing a degree in biology.
Dalia Rodriguez, director of fine and performing arts for the district, said the Grammy win is a proud moment for the district.
“I stumbled across my email and I just about jumped out of my seat,” Rodriguez said about what happened when she learned the news.
Her office is located in the corner of the music wing at the North Shore High School, so she gets to see the arts students everyday, which included Antinori and Zhao in past years.
When she assumed her current position, Antinori was in his junior year. She said she got to know of Antinori “very quickly” because he was gaining notoriety and attention for his talents.
“Angelo is this kind human and works so hard,” Rodriguez said. “I can tell you that what stood out to me about Angelo is his commitment beyond the school day. I would be here in the summers and Angelo would ask me if he could come in to practice. He was here all the time.”
Rodriguez was highly complimentary of both Antinori and Zhao, saying that their involvement in the New York Youth Symphony is a testament to their talents and dedication to their crafts.
She said she is so proud and happy for them because they have taken what they learned while at their North Shore schools and shared that with so many others.
Antinori and Zhao are personifying the goals of the school district: for students to explore their artistry and share that with the world. That, to Rodriguez, is a “work of art.”
“We want our students to leave here not only with skills and knowledge, but the excitement and passion to share it and continue it – the confidence to continue developing their artistry,” Rodriguez said.
This Grammy means so much to the school district, Rodriguez said, as it has validated the work that goes into the fine and performing arts department.
“It means that our investment in the whole child really does pay off,” Rodriguez said. “We’re not just thinking about what people think of the traditional academics. We really do help students figure out and provide the opportunities for them to explore who they are in deeply meaningful ways.”
She said the district’s approach to arts education does not happen everywhere, and it is a strength of the district that it approaches educating the whole child and providing them the opportunities to explore a diversity of talents.
Antinori and Zhao can be seen performing with The New York Youth Symphony in concert March 19 at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan.
