D'Esposito is a Humble
and Talented Violinist
Joe D'Esposito is a humble sort of guy. He doesn't like to talk about himself. It's not that he's shy; after all he's performed in front of thousands of music lovers. The teenager just wants to go about his business with minimal fanfare. However, those who know him and his substantial talents aren't about to let him escape a richly deserved turn in the spotlight.
A member of Huntington High School's Class of 2011, Mr. D'Esposito is a very talented violinist. Last spring he performed as a guest soloist for the Northport Symphony, flawlessly playing the entire J.S. Bach Concerto in E major on violin. More recently, the teenager played an entire season with the Northport Symphony, an impressive feat considering it is an ensemble exclusively comprised of adults.
The senior will perform the Haydn Violin Concerto in G major with the Huntington High School orchestra during its spring concert in May.
Mr. D'Esposito intends to major in music education in college and eventually pursue a career as an orchestra teacher. He's been accepted into prestigious music programs at the Univ. of Delaware and SUNY College at Fredonia.
"Joe is an extremely centered person with a great sense of humor," said Lisa Leonardi, Huntington's orchestra director. "He will be an outstanding orchestra teacher."
Huntington music department members hold Mr. Esposito in high regard. "He is a really great kid," said Joan R. Fretz, district director of fine and performing arts. The senior has been concertmaster of the high school symphony orchestra and the select chamber orchestra since his junior year. He has played in the pit orchestra for the high school drama club's annual musical production for the past four years.
Mr. D'Esposito has been a very active member of the Tri-M music honor society, fully participating in the group's activities. He's also in a high school string quartet that performs at the induction ceremonies of other academic honor societies.
The teenager has engaged in a grueling credit-bearing music department internship with Ms. Leonardi, learning all of the ins-and-outs of being a teacher. The experience has proved to be a valuable one.
Mr. D'Esposito is popular with his classmates and he can be awfully funny, too. "Joe has a great sense of humor," Ms. Leonardi said. Senior Natasha Stollmack said that "Joe is the best thing since sliced bread." She was only half-kidding.
A fine student, Mr. D'Esposito has also been a key player on the varsity soccer team, which last fall qualified for the Section XI playoffs. Regardless of the specific task or challenge, the teenager approaches each situation with a sense of determination and commitment.
"Joe is a real credit to his family, Huntington High School and our community as a whole," Superintendent John J. Finello said.