Congratulations to senior violinist Alex Bond who will be heading to Rochester, NY, this December for four days – to play with top orchestra students from across New York in the All-State Symphony Orchestra. “This is a massive accomplishment, especially on the highly competitive instrument of violin,” said John Jay’s orchestra teacher Elissa Leventhal. “This is the first time John Jay has had an All-State acceptance in about 18 years!”
Leventhal has been Alex’s orchestra teacher for the last seven years, conducting him in John Jay Middle and High Schools’ orchestras. “Alex has dedicated years of practice on his instrument to achieving this goal and he is very deserving of this opportunity,” she said.
“I started playing violin in kindergarten,” said Alex. He joined Increase Miller Elementary’s orchestra in fourth grade and continued playing in school and area orchestras, including the Greater Westchester Youth Orchestras Association Youth Symphony and the Area All-State Symphony Orchestra.
The accomplished musician is also captain of the varsity soccer team and a member of the school’s competitive robotics program. He said that he intends to study engineering in college.
“The John Jay Performing Arts department is extremely proud that Alex will be representing our school at the New York State School Music Association conference!” said Leventhal.