News

East Ends Arts awards Riverhead student scholarship

NEWS-REVIEW FILE PHOTO | East End Arts announced today it has awarded Riverhead High School student José Alvizures with its annual Frances Ligon Memorial Scholarship.

East End Arts announced today it has awarded Riverhead High School student José Alvizures its annual Frances Ligon Memorial Scholarship.

The 14-year old musician began studying the cello with Jeannie Woelker at the East End Arts School in 2008. During middle school, José was a member of the chamber orchestra and participated in the Hamptons Music Educators Association Festival. He now plays in the Riverhead High School freshman orchestra.

BARBARAELLEN KOCH FILE PHOTO | José Alvizures practicing the sport of speed stacking at the Long Island Science Museum in 2010.

José participated in the East End Arts’ Perlman Program this past summer, where local string students played under the baton of the great Itzhak Perlman. José has also attended the East End Arts School’s Summer Music Camp and has been a volunteer at the East End Arts’ Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival for several years.

The scholarship was established in 2007 in honor of the memory of Frances Ligon, who served on the Board of Directors for East End Arts from 2005 to 2007. East End Arts officials called her a well-known advocate for the arts and early childhood education. She was also an avid gospel singer and performed regularly as a soloist and as a member of the East End Arts’ Harvest Gospel Choir, officials said.

Past recipients of this award include Brandon Boardman (2010 and 2011); Nazrus Halsey (2009); and Christian Hibbert (2008).