Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo to Address the Students At the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts With Welcome From Singer Tony Bennett on Tuesday, December 11

Legendary performer and ten-time Grammy winner, Tony Bennett will welcome former New York State Governor Mario Cuomo to the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts on Tuesday, December 11 at 10:15 pm. Mario Cuomo will address the school's student body on a variety of issues of particular significance to the students including public and community service. The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts (FSSA) was an idea first conceived by Tony Bennett to honor his late friend and colleague, Frank Sinatra, who would have turned 86 this December 12th. FSSA is a public NYC high school, offering a rigorous academic program combined with an extensive arts curriculum. The inaugural class of FSSA began their studies this September at the school's temporary site located at LaGuardia Community College in Queens. A major component of the arts program is to provide community service through the arts as well as offering master classes, lectures and a mentoring programs.

In addition to their regular course of studies, the students at FSSA have been involved in a variety of programs and activities. The school's chorus has performed at various functions throughout New York City, including the Governors Arts Awards gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Queens Museum and will be caroling at the Donna Karan store on December 15 and 16. The students have participated in workshops with guest artists from Broadway shows including "Kiss Me Kate," "The Music Man" and "Metamorphosis." As a tribute to the school's namesake, the Sridhar Shanmugam Indian dance company demonstrated an Indian dance choreographed to the music of Frank Sinatra. Academy-award winning actress, Olympia Dukakis recently lectured the student drama majors at the school.

A charitable, tax-exempt organization, EXPLORING THE ARTS, has been established to raise supplemental funding for the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts with Tony Bennett as its Director and Harry Belafonte as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee. A host of notable individuals and artists have already agreed to participate on the Advisory Committee including Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Harry Connick, Jr., Governor Mario Cuomo, Michael Feinstein, Alan King, Larry King, k.d. lang, Annie Liebovitz, Tony Lo Bianco, Paul Newman, Al Pacino, Regis Philbin, Phil Ramone and Joanne Woodward. For further information or to make a tax-exempt contribution to Exploring the Arts please call 212-397-1004 or via email at info@exploringthearts.

   Contact:   Sylvia Weiner
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              email:  sylviaweiner@home

SOURCE: Columbia Records

Web site: http://www.columbiarecords.com/