Carle Place School District
Fine and Performing Arts
Carle Place School District
Fine and Performing Arts
Click the three lines in the upper left corner of this page in order to visit the Hall of Fame, or the other pages in our department: MUSIC PROGRAMS, FINE ARTS PROGRAMS, and THEATER ARTS PROGRAMS.
Congratulations Carle Place for receiving this honor once again in 2025, for the seventh year in a row!
Our Fine and Performing Arts Department, Fall 2025:
Back Row: Michael Limone, Chrissy Lorusso, Jessica Younker, Daniel Krause, Joe Geluso, Martin Christ, Simone Giacalone; Front Row: Katelyn Fox, Emika Smith, Kerri Hauff, Lora Elsirgany, Jenique Nijboer.
Michael Limone
District Director of the Fine and Performing Arts
516-622-6458
Josef Martin Christ
MSHS Orchestra Teacher
516-622-3126
Lora Elsirgany
Rushmore Avenue Orchestra Teacher
516-622-6440
Katelyn Fox
Cherry Lane Music Teacher
516-622-1013
Joseph Geluso
Rushmore Avenue Band Teacher
516-622-6459
Simone Giacalone
Cherry Lane/ HS Fine Arts Teacher
516-622-3156
Kerri Hauff
Rushmore Avenue Music Teacher
516-622-2000
Daniel Krause
MSHS Fine Arts/ Photography
516-622-3121
Jenique Nijboer
MSHS Fine Arts/ Ceramics
516-622-3123
Emika Smith
MSHS Band Teacher
516-622-3124
Jessica Younker
MSHS Chorus Teacher
516-622-3162
Michael Limone is the District Director for the Fine and Performing Arts here in Carle Place where he has directed both the middle school and the high school theater programs and taught middle school and high school Theater Arts classes. Now in his 30th year in Arts education, his career began in CT, where he taught for 11 years and served as the Vice President of the CT Drama Association and as the CT Representative on the New England Drama Council. He was a member of the founding committee that brought a Theater Certification to the State of CT. He’s brought original works to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland with his students on two separate occasions. In addition to his teaching career, Michael has continued acting and directing since college, where he majored in English and Acting at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Carriage House Players, an acting company that presents an Annual Summer Shakespeare Festival at the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport, NY. The foundation of his acting training is based upon the Stanislavski Method and the training he received at both UCONN and HB Studios in NYC. Michael is a current Board Member of the New York State Theater Education Association (NYSTEA), the Chairperson of the Theater Advocacy Committee for NY and the Co-Chairperson of the Long Island Region for NYSTEA.
Josef Martin Christ is a Middle/ High School Orchestra teacher at Carle Place. Mr. Christ initially studied Viola and Piano at the Luis Gianneo Conservatory of Music located in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Following this, he earned his associate degree in business administration from La Guardia Community College, where he was awarded the Thomas Samuels Scholarship. Mr. Christ continued his education at the Aaron Copland School of Music where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. While attending The Aaron Copland School of Music, he actively participated in various music ensembles such as the Aaron Copland School of Music Symphonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, String Ensemble, and Baroque Ensemble. Mr. Christ was awarded the Harry and Gerda Joseph Scholarship for his contributions towards positive change within the school. In 2020, Mr. Christ graduated with a degree in Music Education from Queens College. Presently, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Music Education degree at the Aaron Copland School of Music, and also actively performing as a member of the Queens College Choral Society.
Lora Elsirgany is the dedicated elementary strings teacher at Carle Place, where she has been inspiring young musicians since 2000. Under her direction, the Cherry Lane Strings Program and the Rushmore 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Orchestras have flourished, fostering a love for music among her students.
Lora holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from C.W. Post, Long Island University, and a Master’s in Education from SUNY at Stony Brook. She takes immense pride in launching the Cherry Lane Strings Program over two decades ago, making it one of the only public school programs on Long Island that introduces second graders to string instruments. Additionally, she has expanded the program by incorporating ukulele classes, bringing a fun and engaging element to her students’ musical journey.
Beyond her orchestral teaching, Lora finds great joy and fulfillment in leading the Music Explorers class, designed for special needs elementary students. This program holds a special place in her heart, as it allows her to create a meaningful and inclusive musical experience for all learners.
A violinist at heart, Lora occasionally performs solo repertoire, further deepening her connection to the instrument she loves.
For Lora, teaching in Carle Place is not just a profession but a privilege. As she puts it, “Here, I have the imminently important opportunity to show children that they matter, they are part of a team, they are growing as individuals, and they can make such beautiful music!”
Joseph Geluso is our band teacher at the Rushmore Avenue School. He is responsible for teaching all of the wind instruments as well as instruments of the percussion section. Performance groups include the Rushmore Concert Band and the Rushmore Jazz Ensemble. Rushmore Avenue School offers a full band program for 4th graders. Students get to choose an instrument that they are interested in learning to play. These include flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone horn/euphonium and various percussion instruments. Lessons are taught once a cycle, within the school day. Students will perform at the Carle Place Memorial Day Parade in May. Rushmore Avenue School offers a combined concert band program for 5th and 6th graders. Fifth and sixth grade lessons and ensemble rehearsals build upon existing musical skills from 4th grade and further enhance practice techniques, tone production, note and rhythm reading, musicianship, rehearsal etiquette and overall team building goals. Students practice and perform full score concert band music and perform at both the winter and spring concerts. The Rushmore Jazz Ensemble is open to students who achieve a high level of musicianship and musical proficiency and want to challenge themselves with upper level music. This group of highly talented musicians are each responsible for their own unique part. Instrumentation includes: alto sax, tenor sax, bari sax, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass guitar and drum set. They perform challenging music in the styles of Jazz, Fusion and Rock at our spring concert in June.
Simone Giacalone has been teaching art for over 20 years. This is his 12th year helping students improve their art skills at Carle Place. During the summer, I enjoy taking vacations to Disney World with my family and spending time at the beach. I'm very proud to be a part of the Carle Place School District.
You can visit my website at: https://sites.google.com/cpscloud.net/mr-giacalones-art-class/home
Kerri Hauff is Rushmore Avenue’s elementary general and vocal music teacher. Rushmore Avenue School offers general music classes for all grades 3 through 6th. She also teaches each grade level vocal music (chorus) as well as an after school select choir offered for the 5th and 6th grade. Each grade level performs at a winter concert and a spring concert. Ms.Hauff has been teaching music for over 10 years. Prior to teaching at Rushmore, Ms. Hauff was teaching orchestra and general music in an arts concentrated middle school in Queens, NY for 4 years. She has also taught marching band at the competitive level in several school districts on Long Island. She received both her bachelor's degree and master’s degree from Hofstra University with a focus in Music Education. Outside of music, Ms. Hauff has also taught globally! She taught English studies in Seoul, South Korea from 2017-2018. Ms. Hauff also has a deep love for the fine arts as well as she loves to draw and paint. She is looking forward to her career at Rushmore and spending it with the staff, students, and families within the Carle Place community.
Daniel Krause is a High/ Middle school Art teacher at Carle Place High School and is starting his 23rd year as a frog. Mr. Krause has taught all levels at Carle Place, including starting the Kindergarten Art Program. He studied Fine Arts and Education at Greensboro College and Dowling College and completed his masters at Touro College. He was fortunate to have participated in the “Epiphany '' senior art show at Dowling college. He has built sets for the Carle Place theater company for many years. Mr. Krause has had the privilege to work with many students behind the scenes building and painting the sets. He also played collegiate level lacrosse and has coached various sports for the past 23 years.
Jenique Nijboer is a Middle School/ High school teacher and has been a frog for over 15 years. Ms. Nijboer has taught all levels of art in all of our schools. Prior to becoming an art teacher, Jenique spent 10 years decorating windows throughout NYC. Companies such as Barneys, Macys, Bergdorf Goodman and French Connection all relied on her creative vision and services. A graduate of FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) & Adelphi University. Jenique decided to go back to school to become an art teacher so she could share her love of the arts with others. Inspired by her former art teachers at Hicksville High School she went on and made her dream into a reality. Jenique loves sharing her love of art with the students at Carle Place and enjoys working with them hand in hand on a daily basis to be creative thinkers & makers. Besides art Jenique loves to spend time with her family, travel and has a strange obsession for all things purple!
Emika Smith is the Band teacher at the Middle School and High School. She joined the Carle Place district as the music teacher at Cherry Lane in 2023. Prior to teaching in Carle Place, Mrs. Smith taught music to grades K-8 at the Riverhead Charter School in Suffolk County. Mrs. Smith holds a MS Music Education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY Queens and a Bachelors of Music in Music Education from LIU Post. Mrs. Smith plays both clarinet and piano, and has performed in venues such as the Tilles Center, the Staller Center, and Carnegie Hall. She has also traveled to China and Puerto Rico on two performance tours with the LIU Post Wind Symphony. Mrs. Smith is an active member of the NYS Council of Administrators of Music Education (NYSCAME), Kodaly Organization of New York (KONY NY), and the LI American Orff Schulwerk Association (LIAOSA). She is also a chairperson and active member of Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association (SCMEA). Most recently, Mrs. Smith presented a workshop to NYSCAME members on how to implement centers and group learning in the elementary music classroom. Mrs. Smith enjoys performing in numerous community bands.
Jessica Younker has directed the Middle School and High School Choral Programs at Carle Place since 2018. She implemented the Piano Theory and Practice course in 2019, the 7th Grade General Music Course in 2022, and has run small group lessons and a musical theater elective over the years as well. Mrs. Younker is also the Tri-M Music Honor Society Advisor. Prior to coming to Carle Place, Mrs. Younker taught for several years at the Shelter Island School, teaching music to students PreK – 12. She received Leadership Certifications and a Master’s Degree from Stony Brook University, and her Bachelor of Music from George Mason University. Though singing and piano is her first love, Mrs. Younker enjoys playing the woodwind instruments and guitar as well.
Special moments from our Fine and Performing Arts Awards ceremony, 6/12/2025:
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING ALUMNI WHO WERE INDUCTED INTO THE FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS HALL OF FAME ON MAY 15TH:
Alyssa Acierno Walter Avellaneda
Peter Barbieri, Jr. Nicole Buffalino
Peter Buffolino Maddalena Buffalino
Angela Buffalino-Morgan Sophia Cahill
Matthew Castello Tom Cipullo
Nancy Colleary Elias Costidis
George Costidis Beth DeNicola-Jarvis
Lori DeNicola-Shaw Melissa Despagni (Wozniak)
John Dunphy Patrick Dunphy, Jr.
Devin Eichel Sydney Eichel
Kelly Eising Juliana Ferolie
Joan Gonzalez (Leibman) Brendan Hay
John Iannucci Nicole Kingston
Christa Klatsky Eileen Liang
Michael LoGrasso Charlotte Maher
Nieves Maldonado, Jr. Jason P Martinoff
Samantha Morales Jean-Marie Neave
Anthony Pasquarella Sydney Perruzza
Scott Petrizzo Annemarie Rosano
Ariel Salerno Joe Satriani
Tommy Scardino Adam Siegler
Phil Smith Brian Struse
F. Antonio Urrutia, III Steve Vai
Thomas Vestuto Alec Visslailli
Devin Visslailli Jean Marie Weiner
Jessica Winter Kristina Yim
You may view our Induction Ceremony on our Live Stream at this link:
“Fine and Performing Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony” May 15th at 7pm
https://vimeo.com/event/5135739