Ricki Rizzo: even her name sounds like that of a famous pop artist. The senior has become one of the shining stars of the LHS music department over her four years in high school, and nothing, not even a pandemic, will stop her from continuing her bustling musical career. 

Rizzo currently plays seven musical instruments — the piano, violin, drums, ukulele, guitar, bass, and vibraphone — in addition to her vocal talents. She participates in five music ensemble groups at LHS, including concert choir, show choir, chamber orchestra, brass ensemble, and jazz band. Additionally, she has held lead roles in several school musical productions, including last year’s A Chorus Line, as well as shows at the Plaza Theatrical Performing Arts Academy in Lynbrook, such as Spring Awakening and Into the Woods. She is also president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

One might marvel at all of Rizzo’s extracurriculars and wonder how she is able to do it all. Well, Rizzo was raised on music, and she comes from a family of equally ambitious artists. Her father and his brothers started their own band several years ago, The Relics. After some time, the group disbanded, but later rejoined and rebranded themselves Then and Now.

The band’s members currently include Rizzo’s father and her cousin Jonathan, who appeared on the popular, competitive music show The Voice. Rizzo and her sister, Sam, often make guest appearances at the band’s summer performances, and, on several occasions, have gotten called up to sing on the spot, with no preparation whatsoever — equipped solely with talent and guts. Their gigs typically take place at local restaurants, like Reel in East Rockaway. 

Rizzo shared that music has been a strong presence in her relationships with her cousins. Despite their decade-wide age gaps, they bond over their love and passion for the art. She has been playing music for as long as she can remember. “I started banging on drums practically the minute I could walk,” she said. At first opportunity, she joined the West End school choir, and she has been an active member of Lynbrook school chorus groups since. 

Rizzo has participated in NYSSMA competitions since fourth grade for both violin and percussion, but it was not until her sophomore year that she went to NYSSMA for vocals. On her first ever vocal NYSSMA solo, she received a perfect score and gained admission into All-County, and then All-State, two of the most competitive music groups in New York. She is now in the process of auditioning for All-Eastern, a hyperselective ensemble comprised of 600 students from multiple states along the East Coast.

Friend and longtime musical colleague John Kelhetter, a senior, said, “Ricki is an exceptional musician who has achieved so much and has fully utilized the connections and opportunities the LHS Music Department has to offer. One of my favorite music memories with her was our time at All-State. Over that weekend, we were able to meet new people, talk with Jake Runestad, and talk to many different representatives from prestigious music schools across the country.”

“I am very proud of her achievements,” said senior Alicia Villadiego, another of Rizzo’s close, musical friends. “She is an incredible musician, and I can always go to her if I need to double check anything musically. One of my favorite music memories was probably getting to be Junior Representative alongside her last year on the Tri-M board. She’s very easy to work with, and it was a really great way to get introduced to the board.”

In addition to being recognized by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), Rizzo has received several awards and honors for her musical talents. At last year’s LHS Music Awards Ceremony, she earned the choral Aryan Award, and in her sophomore year, was awarded best female vocalist at the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in Greenwich, Connecticut.

“Every single instrument I play has such a special place in my heart,” smiled Rizzo. “I have so much fun with each of their unique aspects, and being able to participate in all of the ensembles is incredible…I do have a really strong appreciation for chorus. Over the past three years, I’ve come so far in my vocal capabilities, and earning awards is just the most incredible gratification I could get.”

Rizzo said that she owes all of her success to her sister, Sam, a music major at Fordham University and an aspiring Broadway star. Sam has coached Rizzo on her voice for the past two years and helped her earn her NYSSMA perfect score. “She has taught me so much. She’s someone I look up to,” Rizzo said.

Like many artists, Rizzo turns to music as an escape from reality, especially during the pandemic. Music is the best way to calm her mind. She has recently ventured into the world of songwriting; during quarantine, she composed two songs on the piano, which she hopes to one day write lyrics for. Last year, she would write and perform songs for her AP English class, encouraged by her beloved teacher Carla Gentile.

“Having Ricki as a student is just a total pleasure and privilege,” said Chorus Teacher Barry Wyner. “She has a huge amount of natural talent but knows that that’s just the starting point, that she must work hard to develop her talent. Her work ethic and can-do attitude have been key ingredients in her incredible success here at LHS.”

In college, Rizzo plans on double-majoring in biology and music, to pursue her dream of becoming a dentist, while continuing to expand her knowledge of music theory. She also hopes to teach private lessons. “I take so much joy in teaching other people and spreading the knowledge that I’ve been given from some really amazing people in my life,” she said.

Rizzo has learned many lessons during her time studying music. “Even when it gets really tough,” she says to other aspiring artists, “don’t quit. In the long run, you will learn so much. I promise that the end is so worth whatever difficult time you’re going through right now.”

Wyner continued, “Ricki is also creatively fearless and unafraid to take risks outside her comfort zone. When I think back over her greatest achievements here in singing, there is literally one in pop belting, one in jazz, one in classical. Not many people can say that! On top of her talent and drive, she is also one of the sweetest people and an outstanding citizen of our music department, where I’d say she is viewed as a leader and role model. She’s definitely one of those once-in-a-while students who leaves a big mark on the music program and all of the people who get to work with her.”