Mendham, Chester Students Honored For Wind Instrument Talent

Students from Mendham and Chester were among several honored by the Mayo Performing Arts Center as an October Music Student Of The Month for being outstanding wind instrumentalists.

Maddie Adinolfi, and eighth grader at Black River Middle School in Chester, and Ryan Raimondo, an eight grader at Mountain View School in Mendham, were honored on stage before the Oct. 20 concert at Mayo PAC. All the students were nominated by their teachers and chosen by Mayo PAC's education department. At the end of the year, all honored students will be invited to perform in a recital.

Here is what Dr. Kenneth Piascik had to say about Maddie Adinolfi:

Maddie Adinolfi is the definition of a well-rounded, dedicated and talented musician. Ms. Adinolfi joined the music department in the 6th grade and has continued to develop our program above and beyond. Her energy, positive attitude, helpfulness, leadership, and passion inspire us all. Not only is Ms. Adinolfi in the large band, but she also participates in our Honors Music "Encore" Jazz Ensemble, Theory Program, and is a top member of our "Music Level System". Where there is music in Black River, you will find Ms. Adinolfi close by. Ms. Adinolfi cares deeply about our world, other people's feelings, and improving everyone's quality of life. She extends this kindness to everyone, and the members of the band respect and consider her to be a great leader.

Here's what Leigh Carpenter had to say about Ryan Raimondo:

Ryan Raimondo stands out as a band student because of his skill, persistence, and his desire to be musical. Ryan intrinsically knew to support his sound and blow good air through his instrument when he started in the 4th grade. Because he demonstrates solid air support, Ryan has a beautiful tone that adds to the beauty of the band's sound. I know Ryan will be able to play anything in the middle school repertoire that I put in front of him because even if it seems impossible at first, he will work at it until he has the ability to pay it. He makes musical choices with interpretation. He subtly varies dynamics and phrasing. He is not afraid to take risks with his musicality; he is up for challenges. Ryan is a wonderful young man whose dedication and drive for pursuing increasingly loftier levels of music have made him an exemplary music student.

FRONT ROW: Maddie Adinolfi, Grade 8, Black River Middle School; Chester. Rebecca Hsiao, Grade 10, Parsippany High School; Parsippany. Anna Kisatsky, Grade 12, Roxbury High School; Roxbury. Alex Salamon, Grade 6, The Peck School; Morristown. Mollie Peters, Grade 8, Randolph Middle School; Randolph.

2nd ROW: Erik MozolitsGrade 8, Rockaway Valley School; Rockaway. Pakeeza Qadeer, Grade 6, Thomas Jefferson Middle School; Rockaway. Alyssia Liu, Grade 12, Villa Walsh Academy; Morristown. Laure ThomasGrade 7, Mount Olive Middle School; Budd Lake.

NOT PICTURED: Grace Goldberg, Grade 12, Kinnelon High School; Kinnelon. Sheetal Bangalore, Grade 12, Morristown High School; Morristown. Makenna Goodwin, Grade 12, Randolph High School; Randolph. Ryan Raimondo, Grade 8, Mountain View School; Mendham. Akshitha Srinivasan, Grade 8, Brooklawn Middle School; Parsippany. Tayla SzmakGrade 8, John Hill School; Boonton.