MARCELLUS — Local 78 of the American Federation of Musicians has awarded the Joseph Carfagno Scholarship to Kate O’Leary of Marcellus.
O’Leary is a 2022 graduate of Marcellus High School.
She will be entering Syracuse University as a music education major.
Her goal is to become a music teacher and possibly one day a college professor.
While in high school, O’Leary performed in most of the music ensembles at her school such as Symphonic Band, Select/Concert Choir, Pit Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble along with All-County and Area All-State Ensembles.
She was the principal flutist with the Symphoria Young Artists Orchestra and was the winner of the Symphoria Youth Orchestra’s Concerto Competition.
She was selected by the Society for New Music as a Rising Star at Cazenovia Counterpoint, and she received the Skaneateles Festival’s Robinson Award.
Notably, O’Leary was featured on WSYR as Carrie Lazarus’ Extraordinary Talent of the Week.
O’Leary’s flute teacher said, “I have rarely come across a student so talented, so motivated, and so eager to learn.”
The Joseph Carfagno Scholarship is provided by Local 78 of the American Federation of Musicians.
It is named in honor of Joseph Carfagno who has been a member of the union for over 70 years and has been the secretary of Local 78 for over 40 years.
The scholarship is awarded to students who are majoring in music at an accredited college of music.
