New York High School Renames Building After Billy Joel's Mother After $1.5M Pledge

A building at the Long Island High School for the Arts was named after Billy Joel's mother, Rosalind.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Long Island native attended the ceremony on Dec. 19 for the new dedicated building, Rosalind Joel Conservatory for Music and Theater. Students performed and chatted with the legendary singer-songwriter.

Rosalind, who died in 2014, has always been supportive of his dream, Joel revealed. According to the "Piano Man" singer, she encouraged his passion for music by paying for lessons and taking him to shows.

Last year, the 68-year-old saved the Long Island High School for the Arts from closure by pledging $1.5 million. The school has reportedly been facing a decrease in enrollment and tuition revenue over the years.

The Rosalind Joel Conservatory for Music and Theater will house the school's performing arts programs. It is located at the Nassau BOCES school's Syosset campus.

School Of Rock N' Roll

According to people who were present at the event, Joel enjoyed the children's performance. A student at the high school reported that the music icon was spotted tapping his foot and nodding to the beat of the music.

Kassidy Rieder, a sophomore who performed "Ave Maria" in front of the rockstar, seemed unfazed on-stage. She admitted that she was really nervous because she is a big fan of the "Uptown Girl" singer.

"It means so much to me," the 15-year-old stated. "His songs have affected me through all stages of my life, and he's done so much to keep the school open."

Joel was also asked by the students for advice on how to make it to the music industry. He encouraged budding songwriters to continue writing.

"The more you write, the better you get," the award-winning musician told the crowd.

Giving Back

In a letter published two years ago, Joel asked the Nassau BOCES board not to close the Long Island High School for the Arts. Instead, he said that the institution should be rebuilt into something that both Long Island and the New York State can be proud of.

The singer, who rose to fame in the '70s, was a product of public school system. He would not be the celebrated musician that he is today if not for the guidance of his teachers and instruments that were available to him when he was young. He hopes to do the same for the young artists of Long Island.

"I understand that closing this school does not mean the end of the music and arts programs on Long Island, but it does indicate our willingness to abandon a school that has been there for 40 years," he said at the time.

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Billy Joel, New York