Senior violinist Alex Bond is heading to Rochester this December for four days, where he will play with top orchestra students from across New York in the All-State Symphony Orchestra. “This is a massive accomplishment, especially because violin is a highly competitive instrument,” explains Elissa Leventhal, JJHS orchestra teacher. “This is the first time John Jay has had an All-State acceptance in about 18 years!”
Leventhal has served as Bond’s orchestra teacher for the last seven years, conducting him in both the middle and high school orchestras. “Alex’s dedication and years of practice on the violin helped him achieve this goal,” she says. “The John Jay Performing Arts department is extremely proud to have Alex represent our school at the New York State School Music Association conference.”
“I started playing violin in kindergarten,” Bond says. He joined Increase Miller Elementary School’s orchestra in fourth grade and continued playing in school and area orchestras, including the Greater Westchester Youth Orchestras Association’s Youth Symphony and the Area All-State Symphony Orchestra. The accomplished musician is also captain of the varsity soccer team and a member of the school’s competitive robotics program. He plans to study engineering in college.
