Huntington Highlights: Music Man Andre Rizzuto is the Leader of the Band

Andre Rizzuto has been a music teacher in Huntington since 2022. A graduate of Brentwood High School, he earned his undergraduate degree at Hofstra University in music education and then received a master’s degree in music performance at Five Towns College.

An active musician on Long Island performing with the Northwind’s Community Band and Nassau-Suffolk Alumni Band, Mr. Rizzuto has also played with the Huntington Community Band and Bay Shore Community Band.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was teaching band at a summer program and being able to witness the transcendence of students' progress and achieve their goals,” Mr. Rizzuto said. “The true inspiration is that I was the person that was able to help students reach their goals and highest potential.”

“Mr. Rizzuto is a teacher who connects with our students and parents regularly,” said Robert J. Wottawa II, Ed.D. “He participates in weekend events during the marching band season, works with our students during the summer months and gives so much of himself in order for our students to be successful.”

The Huntington High School faculty member is the tenth teacher or staff member to be profiled as part of a new “Huntington Highlights” initiative that provides community members with insight into teachers and support staff members who toil at the district’s eight individual school buildings.

Dr. Wottawa said that Mr. Rizzuto is student centered, dedicated to the program and children, is a team player and has a growth mindset.

Mr. Rizzuto directs the Huntington Blue Devil marching band, the Junior Symphonic Band (ninth and tenth grades band) and the high school wind ensemble. He teaches the Music Theory 1 class at Huntington High School.

“My experience working in Huntington UFSD has been nothing short of incredible,” Mr. Rizzuto said. “Huntington is truly a place of excellence and the amount of support given from our Board of Education, central administration and community is what truly makes Huntington a special place!”