Farmingdale High School senior Kayleigh Murphy was named a 2026–2027 Long Island Scholar-Artist in the Music category by the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA) this September. As one of only 20 high school artists selected across Long Island, she is recognized for her extraordinary musical performance, academic excellence, and leadership in the arts. Sponsored in partnership with Newsday, the program highlights honorees through print and digital profile features throughout the school year, with Kayleigh’s profile scheduled to appear in January 2027.

A versatile multi-instrumentalist whose primary instrument is the tenor saxophone, Kayleigh exemplifies the highest standards of artistic and academic rigor. She earned perfect scores on Level 6 NYSSMA evaluations from 2023 through 2026, achieved a score of 5 on the AP Music Theory examination, and earned spots in honors ensembles, including All-State Classical Tenor Saxophone (2025, 2026), All-State Jazz Tenor Saxophone (2026), and First Chair Tenor Saxophone in the NMEA All-County Jazz Ensemble. Alongside her musical achievements, she maintains stellar academic standing as an inductee of the National Honor Society, the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and the Italian Honor Society.

Kayleigh’s musical footprint spans across school, regional, and community groups. At Farmingdale High School, she performs with the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Vocal Jazz Choir, Mixed Chorus, and the Playcrafters Pit Orchestra—playing woodwinds for productions including The Hunchback of Notre Dame, SpongeBob: The Musical, and Legally Blonde. Her artistic reach extends into the regional community through the Nassau-Suffolk Jazz Ensemble, Five Towns College Jazz Ensemble, NYSBDA Honor Band, LIU Post Festival Band, Farmingdale Village Pops, and a 9/11 remembrance performance at the Farmingdale Public Library. Since 2021, she has pursued private study in tenor and soprano saxophone, clarinet, flute, music theory, ear training, and jazz performance under the instruction of Jon Pereira.

“Achieving this award couldn’t make me more proud, and I am so thankful for all of the music teachers who led me here—from Dr. Duke in elementary school, to Mrs. Tower, Mrs. Taibi, and Mrs. Hartman in middle school, to Mrs. Mannino, Mr. Franzino, Ms. Mischke, Ms. Scarano, Mr. Abrams, Mr. DeMasi, and Mr. Warnokowski in high school,” said Kayleigh. “Music lights up every moment of my life with an ecstatic feeling. I strive to be up on stage playing my heart away, just like the performers I’ve seen throughout my life.”

“This recognition is an extraordinary honor and a tremendous achievement,” said Director of Fine and Performing Arts Greg Warnokowski. “Kayleigh’s passion and unwavering dedication represent the very best of our performing arts program. We are so incredibly proud of her and cannot wait to see all that she accomplishes in her musical career.”

Following graduation, Kayleigh plans to attend a university music school or conservatory to immerse herself in jazz studies and prepare for a career as a professional musician. Her post-college goals include performing in jazz clubs, concert halls, and Broadway pit orchestras, with an ultimate goal of recording soundtrack work for major films.