Billy Joel to Give $1 Million to Save Long Island Arts School

By Melissa A. Kay January 26, 2016

Leave it to the “Piano Man” to help save the arts in schools.

Often times, when budgets are cut, music, arts, and sports are the first to go. That's exactly what happened to Long Island High School for the Arts. However, musician, Billy Joel has stepped in and pledged to donate $1 million in order to stop the Nassau County Board of Cooperative Educational Services from shutting the school's doors.

The school offers world-class training for students on Long Island who wish to pursue a future career in the arts.

Due to low enrollment rates, the Syosset school is doomed to close due to a $400,000 deficit in funds. Joel promised that he’d make the donation, which would come from money from his foundation, if the Nassau County Board of Cooperative Educational Services keeps the school up and running for 3 more years.

Jeanne D’Esposito, who is one of the co-founders of the Long Island High School of the Arts/STEM Institute Parent Association is excited about Joel’s commitment to the school. She said, “His pledge to donate money to LIHSA will make the program even more amazing. More importantly, his involvement is helping us spread the word about these terrific programs to families across Nassau and Suffolk County."

She continued, "Money is great but we also need more Long Island school districts to be willing to offer their students a chance to go to these schools. We hope one day soon these schools will be like the schools in NYC such as Bronx Science and the Sinatra School, where any student with ability and passion for the arts or sciences will be able to attend regardless of where they live.”

Joel gives praise to his own music teachers for helping pave the road to his success. This donation would pay it forward to a new generation.

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