The Valley Stream Central High school district presented its 70th Annual District Music Scholarship Festival, highlighting the musical achievements of student performers from across the district.
The event featured an evening concert held in the Bert Keller Auditorium, following a morning performance for sixth grade students from Valley Stream elementary districts 13, 24 and 30. The morning concert also included remarks from the presidents of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, who shared their experiences with incoming seventh-grade musicians.
The festival showcased the District String Orchestra, Mixed Chorus and Concert Band, made up of top student musicians in grades 9 through 12. In addition to performances, the long-standing tradition recognizes three outstanding student-musicians with scholarships.
The 2026 scholarship recipients are Magnus Gros of Valley Stream Central High School, Isabella Dombrosky of Valley Stream South High School and Delaney Dusel of Valley Stream North High School.
Gros began his musical training with piano lessons at a young age before expanding into percussion and participation in school ensembles, NYSSMA festivals and All-County performances. He has performed with both school and community ensembles, participated in pit orchestras for school musicals and earned a score of 5 on the AP Music Theory exam. He plans to pursue music education in the future.
Dombrosky’s involvement in music began in elementary school when she first started playing the cello. She has since taken part in Orchestra, Community Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, NYSSMA, LISFA and the District Music Festival. She also attended the USDAN Summer Camp for the Arts and has performed for local senior living centers as part of her community involvement.
Dusel is a violist and soprano whose musical activities include private viola study at the Malverne School of Music, leadership roles as viola and quartet section leader, and participation in choir and musical theater. She has performed in productions including “Mean Girls,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Clue,” and “Shrek the Musical,” and serves as president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She plans to continue studying music in college.
The festival ensembles were directed by Elizabeth Klamkin of South High School, Debra Schneider of North High School, and Angelica Ansbacher of North High School.
