Skip to main content

Fine & Performing Arts Home

Welcome to the Fine & Performing Arts webpage

Logo for Bellmore-Merrick Art & Music, featuring a paintbrush, musical notes, and the letters 'BM' in blue and black.

The Arts are an essential part of The Bellmore-Merrick CHSD as they give our students a unique means of expression, capturing their passions and emotions, and allowing them to explore new ideas, subject matter, and cultures. The Arts education in our district not only enhances students' understanding of the world around them, but it also broadens their perspective on traditional academics. Participation in our arts programs enhances self-esteem, builds self-discipline, fosters creativity, and reinforces societal values such as cooperation, commitment, and working towards a common goal.

It is our mission to provide an opportunity for all students to participate in the arts, whether it be through our wide variety of course offerings or involvement in the countless extracurricular activities our schools provide.

WHY ARTS EDUCATION?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are excited to announce the Bellmore-Merrick Cultural Arts winners for 2026!

The Cultural Arts Foundation is a community-based organization, now in its 47th year, which encourages and supports our student musicians, artists and theatrical performers.

8th and 12th graders are nominated by their teachers to submit an audition/portfolio, and the winners are selected by the committee at the end of the year.

Click here to view all of our recipients’ performances and portfolios - 2026 CULTURAL ARTS WINNERS

CALHOUN HS

Fine Arts

  • Amelia Mantone — Drawing & Painting
  • Nathan Mathew — Architecture
  • Matthew Zafonte — Sculpture

Dramatic Arts

  • Carlos Miranda Perez

Music

  • Addison Kelson — Vocal Music
  • Salvatore Finelli — Instrumental Music: Band
  • Selana Zheng — Instrumental Music: Orchestra

KENNEDY HS

Fine Arts

  • Madeline Hyman — Photography
  • Daniella Tejada — Mixed Media

Dramatic Arts

  • Matthew Klein

Music

  • Samuel Klein — Instrumental Music: Orchestra
  • Mikella Rahim — Vocal Music

MEPHAM

Fine Arts

  • Samantha Balnis — Sculpture
  • Elaine Li — Drawing & Painting
  • Kylie McElwee — Mixed Media

Dramatic Arts

  • Gianna Commisso

Music

  • Samantha DiFranco — Vocal Music
  • Christopher Dang — Instrumental Music: Band

GRAND AVE

Fine Arts

  • Amber Kaur — Digital Art
  • Margarita Miller — Drawing & Painting

Music

  • Colin McGovern — Instrumental Music: Band
  • Lucas Wu — Instrumental Music: Orchestra
  • Shira Rosen — Vocal Music

MERRICK AVE

Fine Arts

  • Zhengyilan Fang — Drawing & Painting
  • Brianna Rocamora — Digital Art

Music

  • Eli Porter — Instrumental Music: Band
  • Nolan Auyeung — Instrumental Music: Orchestra
  • Evelyn Sherer — Vocal Music

Director of Fine & Performing Arts and Adult Education

Cheryl Fontana
Brookside Administrative Offices
1260 Meadowbrook Rd.
Merrick, NY 11566
516-992-1044
cfontana@bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us

Department Leadership

 

Cheryl Fontana Director
Dan Jantzen Kennedy
Andrew Del Rosario Mepham
Mike Hughes Calhoun
Christopher Riccardi Grand Avenue
Nathalie Job Merrick Avenue

 

Current News