Whiz Kid: Brian Gasparini Excels at the Arts

Name: Brian Gasparini - Age 17

School: - 11th grade

Accomplishments: Gasparini has been a member of the Miller Place High School drama program since entering the high school. He played Daryl Grady in 'Curtains' and Sasha in 'Fiddler on the Roof'. Most recently, he played Pirelli in this month's production of 'Sweeney Todd'. He also engages in building the play's sets.

The junior has participated in the Mount Sinai Friends of the Arts Summer Theater program, performing in the ensemble for 'Godspell' and as Simeon in 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. He also acted in 'The Big Bad' as Bill the Woodcutter, through Music in Me Productions in Ronkonkoma.

Gasparini is a member of the high school's select chorus and vocal jazz programs. He has competed in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) program in the voice category. His singing talent resulted in him being selected to perform at the Suffolk County Music Educator's Association (SCMEA) festival and at the New York State Council of Administrator's of Music Education (NYSCAME) festival.

For the past two years, he has been singing with Long Island Voices at the Port Jefferson Presbyterian Church, under the direction of Michael Bussewitz-Quarm. This group raises money for the 9-1-1 Veterans organization, which provides assistance to those who have served, or are currently serving, in our military.

In addition to the arts, Gasparini helps to run the CYO baseball program held out of in Rocky Point, by doing field maintenance and umpiring baseball games. He also referees for the CYO soccer league. In the future, he hopes to become a police officer.