Garden City High School welcomes acclaimed guest artists for spring music workshops
This spring, Garden City High School’s music program welcomed three acclaimed guest artists—vocalist Ms. Lauren Kinhan, conductor Mr. Bradley Bosenbeck and clarinetist Mindy Dragovich—for a series of workshops with student ensembles. Each guest brought insight, artistry and mentorship, offering students a unique opportunity to grow as musicians and prepare for upcoming performances.
Ms. Lauren Kinhan, a renowned jazz vocalist, composer and longtime member of the Grammy-winning New York Voices, visited Garden City High School’s vocal jazz group on April 23. Known for her rich tone, range, musicality and genre-blending artistry in jazz, pop, R&B and Brazilian music, Ms. Kinhan is a celebrated solo artist, releasing multiple albums that showcase her talent as a songwriter and ability to blend jazz with contemporary styles. She is also a founding member of the vocal supergroup JaLaLa alongside Janis Siegel and Laurel Massé and a passionate educator and mentor.
While working with the vocal jazz group—an auditioned select ensemble directed by Ms. Allie Frazzetto—Ms. Kinhan guided the students through her original piece, “The Alone Go I” through her artistry and insight. Students explored the nuances of phrasing, interpretation and expressing while connecting with Ms. Kinhan and gaining insight into the depth, storytelling and technical skills that define professional-level jazz performances.
A special thank you to the Garden City Friends of Music for making the experience with Ms. Kinhan possible.
On April 24, Mr. Bradley Bosenbeck visited Garden City High School to work with the concert orchestra, string orchestra and chamber orchestra. Mr. Bosenbeck is a classical, pop, rock and Broadway musician who debuted at Carnegie Hall at age 16, performed internationally with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Jaime Laredo and the Philadelphia Orchestra and conducted for Broadway’s “The Phantom of the Opera.” One of Broadway’s youngest conductors, he has worked on other hit Broadway shows, led performances for President Obama and collaborated with legends like Stevie Wonder and The Who at iconic venues from Abbey Road Studios to the Hollywood Bowl.
Mr. Bosenbeck arranged a special trio of solos for “Schindler’s List,” a piece that will be performed by the string ensemble at their spring concert on May 21. During his visit in April, Mr. Bosenbeck led the orchestra students alongside orchestra director Mr. Andrew Albani through a full day workshop where he ran rehearsals for all three orchestral groups, guiding them with expert tips on musicality including how to improve their sound, when to adjust dynamics and how to play more expressively as an ensemble. Through Mr. Bosenbeck, the students also saw a rare glimpse into what happens behind the scenes on Broadway and what it takes to be a professional musician.
On May 7, Ms. Mindy Dragovich, guest clinician, assistant director of the American Chamber Ensemble and distinguished clarinetist, educator and conductor, visited Garden City High School’s symphonic band. Ms. Dragovich, who is a retired high school band director, former professor at Hofstra University and a Nassau BOCES artist, helped the band students prepare for their first time competing in the NYSSMA Major Organizations Festival— a festival where full band, orchestra and choir ensembles perform for judges from the New York State School Music Association and are rated on tone, technique, interpretation and musicality in a non-competitive, growth-focused evaluation.
The symphonic band—directed by Mr. Daniel DellaMonica— has been preparing music that will be performed at both their spring concert and the NYSSMA Major Organizations Festival. Ms. Dragovich helped the students play with accurate intonation, steady tempo and precise rhythm, ensuring they stayed in tune and maintained a consistent musical flow.
"We are so fortunate to have had Ms. Kinhan, Mr. Bosenbeck and Ms. Dragovich work with our chorus, orchestra and band students as they prepare for their spring concerts and first NYSSMA Majors performance,” said Amanda Hauser, Garden City director of music and the arts. “Opportunities like this—where students receive expert, real-world feedback—are truly invaluable. It was wonderful to see them rise to the challenge with such focus and enthusiasm. This experience will stay with them well beyond the concert stage.”
