2026-2027 Long Island Scholar Artists

The goal of the Scholar-Artist program is to honor exceptionally accomplished high school seniors September to June. Selections are made, each spring, from a pool of Long Island students. From these nominees, two selected students are recognized for their outstanding achievement in the arts each month.

To learn more visit: http://longislandartsalliance.org/

Ava Azzaretto

"Dance for me is a celebration of joy," says dancer, Ava Azzaretto of Syosset. You can find Ava training at the Long Island High School for the Arts, where her achievements include being named a 2026 Elite Pro Reveler scholarship recipient, a Top Ten Senior Soloist at the 2026 Velocity Dance Competition, and a 2021 MSA Talent Agency consultation recipient. Her performances have graced the Gold Coast Dance Festival, LIHSA's Winter and Spring dance festivals, and In the Shadows: Blueprint Dance Project.

Ava says. "Movement is the universal language that can be communicated without sound. When I am dancing, I find myself forgetting any stress or worries I had previously." That sense of connection extends to her work with LIHSA's Dance Buddies program, through which she helped stage a year-end performance alongside special needs students from Rosemary Kennedy School, giving families a chance to watch pieces built over an entire year of collaboration.

Beyond dance, Ava is a member of the National Honor Society, president of the Take a Look at Teaching Club at Deer Park High School, and part of LIHSA's Dance Honor Society.

Everyday life fuels her choreography. "I find inspiration in ordinary everyday moments," she says. "The main catalyst for movement is feeling. Taking personal experiences, recognizing how they make me feel, and turning them into art is a way for audiences to relate and connect with dance."

Looking ahead, Ava hopes to continue dance training at the collegiate level, however her school is still undecided. Ava is keeping an eye toward a professional career touring, backup dancing, teaching, or performing with a company.

Chen Chen

For Chen Chen of Great Neck, art and science go hand in hand. “Art has taught me a different, more observant and curious way of viewing the world,” says this Great Neck North High School student. “Both art and science are complementary in the way they require curiosity, observation, and uncertainty.” Chen has earned three Scholastic Art & Writing Honorable Mentions (2025-2026), the Nassau All-County Art Exhibition Achievement Award (2026), four publications in the Celebrating Art Contest (2024-2026), and finalist recognition in the AKC “Meet the Breeds” Art Contest.

Before any of Chen’s awards were presented, however, the public viewed her work at the Nassau All-County Art Exhibition, AKC “Meet the Breeds,” and Artfest, and it has appeared in the school yearbook.

“My creative inspiration primarily stems from what I observe, consume, and experience,” Chen says, drawing connections between small details and larger themes, often focusing on academic and social pressures faced at this stage of her life. Additional inspiration comes from science, music, media, and family.

Chen values art as a universal language. “Art has offered me a more universal form of expression that transcends many cultural and language barriers that coexist in my life, allowing me to comfortably express my feelings and perspectives,” Chen says. “I simply enjoy the process of making my art. It offers a peaceful and safe space for me to do what I want, say what I want, and express it however I want.”

Chen hopes to attend a college that fosters both science and art, continuing both pursuits simultaneously.

Carrie La Barca

For Carrie La Barca of Melville, music is about creating connection. A harpist and violinist at St. Anthony’s High School, Carrie earned All-State honors on both instruments in 2025 and 2026, along with All-County and LISFA selections. She served as LISFA concertmaster and SCMEA assistant concertmaster in 2025 and was a 2026 NMEA guest performer.

Carrie has performed with the North Shore Symphony Orchestra, Creative Ministries, New York Philharmonia and BAFFA, and played harp and violin in 16 musical theater pit orchestras across Long Island.

At St. Anthony’s, Carrie is co-president of Orchestra Honors and participates in PIT and Tri-M, along with the National, Science, Math, Theology, Social Studies, English and Italian honor societies. Carrie's skills go beyond musical excellence, she is also a varsity badminton player, placing second overall in singles in 2025–26.

Carrie’s community work is equally important to her artistry. She created and co-directs Amelia’s Musicians, bringing live music to nursing homes, and raised $2,000 through 12 “Busking for Braces” harp performances benefiting children needing orthodontic care. She also performs with Our Lady of Mercy Folk Group and Creative Ministries.

“Playing music makes me happy,” Carrie says, finding inspiration in creating moments of “shared emotion and connection.”

She plans to double major in music performance and biology before pursuing dental school and a career as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Viny Zheng

For Viny Zheng of Floral Park, inspiration comes from close to home, "the world around me and friends". Viny credits this philosophy for having shaped both a growing body of artwork and a close-knit circle of friendships. This Floral Park Memorial High School student has built a portfolio spanning studio art, photography, and earning the school's Outstanding Achievement in Studio in Art (2024) and Outstanding Achievement in Photographic Art (2025), the Art and Design Award (2026, a $29,000 annual scholarship), and back-to-back honors from the General Federation of Women's Clubs–New York Island-Metro District in Photography, taking 2nd place (2025) and 3rd place (2026).

Viny's work was selected for the 19th annual GO APE (Advanced Placement Exhibition) in 2026. A member of both the National Art Honor Society and National Science Honor Society, Viny also serves as co-secretary of “Trumpet” Club, the school's literary arts magazine, and is involved with the Creative Writing Club, the Excalibur yearbook club, and Badminton Club.

For Viny, art has been as much about connection as creation. "Art has always had a special place in my heart," Viny says. "Not only did my art classes help me artistically, I have made some of my closest friends through art. The common interest in creation has always been an easy gateway for me to get to know others more from talking together about art, making art, and even looking at art."

That spirit of connection carries into Viny's volunteer work as well, including face painting for the Hance Family Foundation 5K run/walk. Viny credits Floral Park Memorial art teacher Mrs. Santana — who taught Studio in Art, Photographic Art, and AP 2-Dimensional Design — for continually encouraging growth "not only as an artist but as a person as well," along with the steady support of family throughout the journey.

Viny's major is currently undecided, but plans call for attending a four-year university this fall.

Danielle de Masi

For Danielle de Masi of Northport High School, art is a way to express herself and be creative. She won the Huntington Tony Award for Best Makeup and Costume Design (2024) and earned Huntington Tony nominations for Best Makeup and Costume Design in a Musical (2025), Best Costume Design in a Play (2026) and Best Costume Design in a Musical (2026). She also received a Scholastic Honorable Mention (2025) and Honorable Mention for Best in Show at the Huntington Arts Council High Arts Exhibition (2026).

Danielle’s designs have appeared in Northport productions of The Little Mermaid, Shakespeare’s Dead Dudes and Dames, Once Upon a Mattress and Mamma Mia! 

At school, Danielle participates in Photography, Art, Fashion and Key clubs, Powdered Wigs and Theater Troupe, as well as the National, Thespian, STEM, Rho Kappa and English honor societies. Her creativity also reaches younger performers. Danielle designed costumes for East Northport Middle School’s The Little Mermaid Jr. and GetSMART camp’s Descendants Jr. She also sewed pillowcases for children with cancer through Ryan’s Case for Smiles.

Danielle finds inspiration in collaborating with friends and fellow performers. Art, she says, gives her a place to “relax and create” while expressing herself. She plans to study physical therapy and become a pediatric physical therapist while continuing to design for local theater and create clothing for family and friends.

Kayla Cusumano

For Kayla Cusumano of Bethpage, art has reshaped how she sees the world. “Before I started taking art seriously, I took for granted the beauty of the world,” says this Bethpage High School student. “Now... I find myself noticing all the little details, like the way the sunlight highlights the edges of clouds, the intricate patterns of tree trunks, or the almost imperceptible facial expressions that people make.” While Kayla’s art shows her the world she never noticed before, the world around her has taken note of her work. Kayla has earned the All-County Art Exhibition Achievement Award (2023-2025), was named an All-State Concert Band Alternate (2025-2026), and performed as an All-County Jazz Band saxophonist (2024 and 2026).

Kayla’s work has been shown at the All-County Art Exhibition each year from 2023 to 2025. She belongs to several national honor societies spanning art, Tri-M, math, science, and foreign language, and is involved in jazz band, pit orchestra, and marching band. Kayla also serves as Student Council president and competes on the varsity tennis and badminton teams. Her artistic contributions include painting banners for school events and parades and a mural in a teacher’s classroom, alongside saxophone quartet performances at an assisted living home and an ice-skating rink.

“Most of my inspiration comes from personal experiences and the emotions that they elicit,” Kayla says. Working primarily in realism, she gravitates toward subjects with personal meaning. Kayla plans to study industrial design in college, hopes to study abroad, and aims to build a career in the field while continuing to draw and paint traditionally as a hobby.

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