“Who won the chance to sing the roles of “Christine” and “Raoul”
from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera?” 

MusicLIvz, the Long Island Philharmonic’s Arts-in-Education and Community Engagement Program, hosted a unique singing competition, “Call for Christine/Raoul” which was open to male and female students on Long Island in grades 9 to 12.  11 young vocalists from all over Long Island answered the Long Island Philharmonic’s “Call for Christine/Raoul” with Broadway star, Franc D’Ambrosio on Thursday, November 19th at Patchogue-Medford High School.  Together with a panel of judges, Mr. D’Ambrosio chose 7 finalists, 17 year olds Taylor Lynn Friedman (Great Neck South HS), Alexa Marie Johnson (Hicksville HS), Athena Margarites (Half Hollow Hills HS West), and Joseph Smaldino (St. John the Baptist Diocesan HS); 15 year old Gabrielle Lowell (Great Neck South HS) and Megan Vigioline (Rocky Point HS); and 14 year old Salvatore Valentinetti (Holy Trinity HS).  The seven finalists then worked with Mr. D’Ambrosio in a master class setting and two winners, Athena Margarites and Salvatore Valentinetti, were selected to sing “All I Ask of You” on the Patchogue Theatre stage on Friday, November 20th as part of Mr. D’Ambrosio’s show with the Long Island Philharmonic, “Franc D’Ambrosio’s Broadway” accompanied by Mr. D’Ambrosio’s personal music director, Tom Griep.
   

 
 

“Call for Christine/Raoul” winners, Athena Margarites (Half Hollow Hills HS West) and Salvatore Valentinetti (Holy Trinity HS) with Karen M. Beluso, LIP Dir. of Education & Community Engagement; Franc D'Ambrosio and Stephen Belth, LIP Exec. Director.

  

Franc D’Ambrosio speaking with master class participants

  
  (Left to right): Karen M. Beluso, LIP Dir. of Education & Community Engagement; Taylor Lynn Friedman (Great Neck South HS); Gabrielle Lowell (Great Neck South HS); Alexa Marie Johnson (Hicksville HS); Athena Margarites (Half Hollow Hills HS West); Franc D’Ambrosio; Megan Viglione (Rocky Point HS); Salvatore Valentinetti (Holy Trinity HS); Joseph Smaldino (St. John the Baptist Diocesan HS); and Stephen Belth, LIP Exec. Director.