NJCU Jazz Musicians Perform for High Tech Performing Arts Students

(North Bergen, NJ—November 21, 2017) High Tech High School’s Performing Arts students received a rare treat when student musicians from the New Jersey City University (NJCU) Jazz Department performed at High Tech, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech. 

Lead by Professor Nathan Ekland on trumpet, the NJCU combo played selections from the music of famed jazz improviser, composer, and pianist Thelonius Monk, whose records “Round Midnight,” “Blue Monk,” and the ever popular “Straight, No Chaser” have graced cognoscenti’s turntables for decades.  Monk died of a stroke on February 17, 1982.

“This event is part of an ongoing effort to bring practical arts experiences to our students,” says Rod Shepard, veteran performing arts and audio tech instructor at High Tech.

The NJCU Jazz Department currently has been assaying Monk’s oeuvre. 

High Tech Audio/Visual Production Department Yet Again Represented at Ramapo College Film Festival

(Ramapo, NJ--November 20, 2017)The Ramapo College Film Festival has selected five films written, directed, and produced by High Tech’s Audio/Visual Production majors, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Dream On by David Mansour of Bayonne, Solitaire by Hoboken resident Colmcille Donston, Give Love by Carlos Hernandez of Jersey City and North Bergen resident Sophia Abraham, Black and White by Ivanna Guerrero of West New York and Jersey City resident Amirah Johnson, and First Day by Alana Aninipot, a Secaucus resident, with assistance from cinematographer Makayla Blount, a former Explore 2000 student, as well as Liba Khan and Jabari Iman, all residents of Jersey City.

“The amount of work that the students have put in is incredible," says Gregg Ascolese, TV Production instructor for High Tech. "The students are definitely progressing with all of their individual sets of skills.”

Two films this year have been nominated for awards of Best Cinematography and Best Fiction Film. High Tech alone has secured five films in the festival out of a total of 20 selected by the festival committee.

“The jury was very impressed yet again with this year’s films,” says Neel Scott, the Associate Professor of Digital Film at Ramapo College. “We’re very excited to see the filmmakers and watch their films at the festival.”

Ramapo College Film Festival takes place on Saturday, December 2nd, at the School of Contemporary Arts on the college campus. The festival welcomes everyone from all walks of life to attend the screenings.

High Tech's Alison Fung and Her Girl Scout Team Receive Silver Award for Their Take Action Project

(Hoboken, NJ—November 17, 2017) Alison Fung, a High Tech freshman and Hoboken resident in the school’s D|Fab academy, and her Girl Scout team received the Scouts’ Silver Award for their Take Action Project, “Girls Changing the Community,” announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. 

Girl Scouts earn the Silver Award by focusing on an issue they care about, as well as building a team, exploring their community, picking, planning, and putting their Take Action project into action.  Take Action Projects improve Girl Scouts’ neighborhoods or communities.  Also, they must demonstrate an understanding of sustainability in the wider world and share what they have learned with others. 

Fung’s team created the framework for a walking tour app to create five separate “Discover Hoboken” walks: Places of Interest, Landmarks and Monuments, Houses of Worship, Hoboken Parks, and Hoboken Eats.

High Tech's Tige Anderson Named Jersey Cares’ Volunteer of the Month

(Livingston, NJ—November 27, 2017) Jersey Cares, a nonprofit that recruits and engages volunteers in rewarding efforts that address community needs, has selected Hoboken resident Tige Anderson, a High Tech senior and Jersey Cares Project Coordinator, as Volunteer of the Month, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech. 

Anderson has volunteered more than 200 hours of his time at the Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery, founded in 1829.  He began volunteering to satisfy High Tech’s 25-hour volunteer requirement, but he enjoyed the experience so much that he continued to serve well past those hours. 

"My advice to first-time volunteers is to stick with it even if the task is tedious," says Anderson, who plans to major in Forensic Psychology in college.  "Recognize that your efforts are making a difference."

Founded in 1993, Jersey Cares partners with local nonprofits to identify needs and implement volunteer projects to meet those needs.  The group provides individuals, families, corporate employees, and community groups with a wide variety of volunteer opportunities that range from tutoring children to painting new murals in schools.  An affiliate of the Hands on Network, Jersey Cares offers hundreds of opportunities.

Since 2014, Jersey Cares has identified initiatives that use community engagement and volunteer service to help under-served young adults develop the skills they need to prepare for college and careers as well.

Managing Director of Rising Tide Capital Visits County Prep

County Prep’s Business & Technology Club recently invited Jay Savulich, Managing Director of Programs at Rising Tide Capital of Jersey City, to share his expertise in the business world with business majors, announced Ms. Barbara Mendolla, Principal at County Prep High School.

     Savulich’s presentation covered a variety of topics, primarily focusing on the increasing demand for technical education for business majors to succeed in today’s competitive business workplace.  He encouraged students to take full advantage of internships available in the business industry to develop into successful entrepreneurs.  He graciously offered the County Prep business students internships at Rising Tide Capital, as well. 

     “We are very glad to have hosted Mr. Savulich,” said Dr. Syed Abbasi, the moderator for the County Prep Business & Technology Club.  “His presentation was highly insightful and I thank him for extending internship offers to the students.”

High Tech Alum Idaliz Cristian Performs with Demi Lovato at the American Music Awards

(Los Angeles—November 19, 2017) High Tech Dance alumnus Idaliz Cristian, 18, of North Bergen, danced during Demi Lovato's performance of "Sorry Not Sorry" at the American Music Awards (AMAs), announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. 

Chosen to perform by former Fairview resident JoJo Gomez, professional dancer and choreographer, Cristian moved to Los Angeles this past summer to pursue her career in dance.  Cristian danced with Gomez on Jennifer Lopez’s “World of Dance,” broadcasted on NBC, this past spring.  As part of team Rouge, a group of nine empowered girls selected from the world-renowned Millennium Dance Complex in L.A., Gomez has toured with Lovato and invited Cristian to perform at the AMAs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFaMZUarksA.

"Idaliz possesses an amazing stage presence no matter what genre she performs,” says Trista DeFilippis, Head of High Tech Dance and the school’s Performing Arts Liaison.  “We are incredibly proud of her and wish her continued success out in L.A.”

Since Cristian’s graduation in June, she has also been on Total Request Live (TRL) on MTV and the Late Late Show, dancing for with Liam Payne (formerly of One Direction).

“Dance is really an outlet,” says Cristian. “I’m able to pour all of my emotions into my movement. It’s my passion, my therapy, and my career.  I feel so lucky.”

High Tech Musical Theatre Stages INTO THE WOODS

(November 15, 2017--North Bergen, NJ)  For three nights, November 15th-17th, High Tech Musical Theatre students performed the classic Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine musical Into the Woods in the black box theater at the North Hudson Center, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

The musical's narrator details a story that intertwines the plots and characters of several Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault fairy tales, and the narrative involves a childless baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family.  They interact with other storybook characters during their journey, as well as a witch, who has placed a curse on them. 

More than 30 performing arts students brought the production to life, either on stage or behind the scenes.  Directed by High Tech’s Musical Theatre instructor John Zisa and Sean Cameron, Into the Woods employs minimal sets, costumes, and props to bring the narrator’s story to life.  The company of the show remains on stage throughout the entire production, even when not performing in a scene, and follows along from scripts on music stands, as a metatextual reminder to the audience that they all participate in the story. 

Next up for High Tech Musical Theater, a production of the Elton John/Tim Rice Disney musical, Aida, which debuts March 22nd.  Tickets for Aida go on sale in early February at www.hthspa.booktix.com.