In Memory


Name	Graduation Year	Department

Bob Berg	1969	Music
Derrick Best	1985	Dance
Sophie Buniak	1972	Drama
Gregg Burge	1975	Dance
Northern Callaway	1966	Drama
Kenneth Brown (Christopher Chadman)	1965	Dance
Ilsa (Demby) Barber	1963	Drama
Julius Grossman	Faculty	Music
Stanley Hall	1977	Music
Jeff (Steve) Harris	1953	Drama
Winston Hemsley	1965	Dance
Robert Hiller	1979	Music
Stephen Hults	1972	Drama
Barbara Krauthamer	1961	Drama
William P. Leonard	1976	Music
Janet Margolin	1961	Drama
Gordon Mayes	1985	Music
Frances Morgan	1971	Dance
Darnell Pritchard	1985	Dance
Michele Sahm	1969	Music
Mrs. Helen Simmons	Faculty	English
Steve Tindall	1964	Music
Daryl Tribble	1975	Dance
Max Weisberg	1985	Drama
Rachel Yokum	Faculty	Dance

Bob Berg Music-1969

Remembrance by:

Alan Russell Rosenberg (70) - A friend and classmate

On December 5th 2002, Bob Berg Lost his life to a tragic car accident on Eastern Long Island. He was a superb international Jazz Tenor & Soprano Saxophonist. . He was part of the 1969 class if I stand correct.

My Musical Tribute to him and to his survived wife and children can be found on my Official Webpage (Click on my name above to find my web page) entitled "Whatever We Imagine" Please look for it and listen. He was a landmark in the Jazz Community

Kenneth Brown (Christopher Chadman) Dance-1965

Remembrance by:

Ellen Bien (65) - A friend and classmate

Kenny died about two years after I ran into him in New York with Faith Prince. He had choreographed Guys and Dolls and looked terrific and was still taking dance classes. My daughters were with me and really impressed that I actually knew someone famous! I will miss him and have great memories of our friendship at PA.

Remembrance by:

From Kaye (Kandy Chernoff) Lewis (65) - A friend and classmate

I must have been 12 or 13 when I first met Kenny Brown. Even though we lived on opposite sides of the Bronx our families joined a beach club called Shorehaven. It was there that Kenny and I spent the joyous summers of our childhoods. We became best friends. It was a typical beach club, hosting talent shows and night time dances (Both of which we participated in). Kenny and I learned every “social” dance under the sun. We spent our days dancing, and as we got older, we spent our nights dancing at parties at places like Roseland.

I remember when we both auditioned for Performing Arts and we both passed our auditions. Kenny and I would be going to the same school. He was going to PA for dance, and I would be going for music.

Even though Kenny and I ate lunch together almost everyday and danced to popular records played by “PAGO” in the lunch room, our commitments to school started pulling us in different directions. By graduation, Kenny and I lost our close bond. Even though we were still friends we didn’t see each other very often in our young adult life, and eventually we lost touch. In fact, I wasn’t even aware that he passed away until recently. I am truly saddened to know my childhood friend is gone and I will always smile to myself when I remember thinking, as I watched him dance with other dance partners, “Boy, Kenny could make a broom stick look like a great dancer”

Kenny, I will forever remember and miss you.

Jeff (Steve) Harris

Remembrance by:

Conard Fowkes- A friend and classmate

Steve Harris became Jeff Harris after graduation and then Steve (Jeff) Harris for reasons I never discovered. When I was a senior and he a sophomore, we collaborated on a civics project (a scam to get out of the building for an hour every day so we could walk around Times Square smoking cigarettes) which so impressed Mr. Bleich, our civics teacher, that we each got a TERM grade of 100. Steve was a successful actor, composer, sketch writer, playwright and producer....but what he really wanted to be was an NFL quarterback and a major league pitcher. In the yes of this friend his signal achievement was the creation of the Riverside Drive Sunday Morning Touch Football Association (with blocking) which gave us all the opportunity to vent the frustrations that came with theatrical unemployment.

Winston Hemsley

Remembrance by:

Trina Frazier-Parks - A friend and classmate

Winston and I were distant cousins, lived in Brooklyn, near each other, before we went to P.A. We went to elementary school together also. I had been out of touch with him (I called him 'Winnie') for quite a while. Both of us were working and touring quite a bit. He was my friend and we always had so much fun together. Then when we both were accepted into PA we were so happy for each other.

He was such a beautiful soul. Always pleasant, loved to laugh. Gave of himself to people. He was not at all selfish. His dancing was impeccable and later on when he became a prolific choreographer he was brilliant. When I was notified he had been killed by someone he let into his home because that person did not have a place to stay, I never felt so hurt. Such a wonderful person to leave us so young. Winnie is still singing, teaching, laughing, dancing African, modern, tapping and most of all KICKING! in Heaven. GOD BLESS YOU COUS!

Robert Hiller

Remembrance by:

Anonymous - A friend and classmate

Bob had a terrific sense of humor and a true talent for the cello. He shared with us his love of music and made us laugh. While Bob took his music very seriously, he always found the opportunity to poke fun at some of life's more mundane moments. He is truly missed.

Ilsa (Demby) Barber

Remembrance by:

Steve Lewis (64) - A friend and classmate

When I first started to find classmates from PA back in the late 90's, I came across Ilsa in a discussion group about PA on the web. We started talking and then I found that she had actually signed my yearbook and lived only 25 minutes from me. We wrote lot's of emails back and forth and actually talked on the phone a few times.

Ilsa was pretty sick. She had diabetes. She told me that she learned a lot in life and she was really appreciating it now. She was into her computer and you can find her name all over the web about Diabetes. Shortly after we started talking she went for a visit to a relatives house which I think was in Florida. A short while after she left, I got an email from her address. It was from her cousin telling us that she had passed away in her sleep.

The thing that sticks in my mind is the silliest thing. Before she left, she wanted to have me and my wife over for her "Famous" chicken. I was too busy at that time. I'm sorry I didn't. It just goes to show you that even if you feel you aren't close to our PA classmates, you really are. I miss you Ilsa but we'll have our dinner someday. somewhere else.

Remembrance by:

Alan Russell Rosenberg (70) - A Student

I always kept Mr. J. Grossman busy on his feet chasing me out of those multi-piano rooms due to the fact that Jazz and Pop music as a song-arranger became a huge addiction for me. He was a fine conductor and still had a sense of humor with that serious face we all recalled.

William P. Leonard Music 1976

Remembrance by:

Anonymous

A friend wishes to acknowledge William:

Billy was so proud of his years at Performing Arts. He went on to have quite a successful career for a boy from the Bronx. He appeared on Broadway and toured nationally in "Dreamgirls" and "Grease". He toured nationally in "Some Enchanted Evening". He appeared off Broadway in "The Tales of Tyler T. and "Street Scene". In Washington D.C.'s Ford Theater in Neil Simon's "Little Me". He moved to San Francisco and appeared in "Fiddler on the Roof"; "Cabaret"; "The Apple Tree"; "Sophisticated Ladies"; and in the role of Huck in "Big River". He also appeared in "Cole" at Theatre on the Square. He went on to win the Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award for his directing and choreographing efforts. Bill was a great friend who is deeply missed.

January 1958 - March 1996

Janet Margolin Drama-1961

Remembrance by:

Anonymous

A classmate wishes to acknowledge Janet's death and so do we. Janet was a fairly well known actress in the early years that followed her graduation.

Her obituary (article) appeared in the New York Times.

Gordon Mayes Music-1985

Remembrance by:

Bernard Armada

Gordon Mayes was one of the most sincere, gentle, and beautiful souls ever to grace the hallways of P.A. He truly was a friend to all, and those who knew him will recall his kind, sometimes melancholy demeanor (he always identified with Charlie Brown) and ability to get along with anyone. In an ironic twist of fate, Gordon passed away on September 4, 1992, two weeks after he was shot in the back by gang of drug dealers new to his neighborhood who wanted to let the locals know that they were in town and meant business. Gordon's shooting was senseless, unprovoked, and completely random. We can only hope that those who took his life have since comprehended the profound impact one bullet had on Gordon and those who loved him. Rest in peace, good shepherd.

"It's funny how one insect can damage so much grain"
--Elton John

"As today I know I'm living, but tomorrow could make me the past, but that I mustn't fear; for I know deep in my mind the love of me I've left behind, cause I'll be loving you always."
--Stevie Wonder

Remembrance by:

Barbara Whitaker

II just found out through this web site that my old friend Gordon was taken from this world. I can not begin to express how sad that makes me. He was my "F" train buddy and my partner in the duo of "Salt and Pepper". He never met a stranger and loved life and his family. He was an Uncle before he was born! He protected me and laughed with me and cried with me. Rest in peace my friend, I shall think of you fondly and look to see you again someday.

Michele Sahm Music-1969

Remembrance by:

Matty Selman - A friend and classmate

Michele died of breast cancer at the young age of 37. She had lived many lives already, but we who knew her and loved her will always feel both diminished by her loss and priviledged to have shared her company on this earth. Miche (as I called her) was a remarkable human being, a gifted musician and a joy to behold. I cannot remember when she was not the Valedictorian of some class, somewhere. We grew up together on Staten Island and took the ferry each morning to PA with the rest of the Staten Island contingent. I remember when she got her first Hanes flute and how proud she was playing it. She once inscribed a book of poetry "I am a thought of you..." She will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Helen Simmons

Remembrance by:

Anonymous

A most beloved teacher who was more important to me and to others than she probably knew.

Remembrance by:

Peter Latner - A Student

It's odd how our longest surviving memories are rarely big milestones but little things--events that at first seem insignificant. Helen Simmons was my English teacher during my junior year, 1965-66. Here's what I remember:

That year Truman Capote's nonfiction masterpiece, "In Cold Blood," was published. Before it appeared in book stores it was first serialized in the New Yorker magazine--I think it was for four consecutive issues. As each issue was published, Mrs. Simmons read "In Cold Blood" aloud to our class. I can't remember if she read all four issues--my sense is that she did--but I'll never forget the experience of hearing that story. High school kids aren't always known for their respect or attentiveness, but that room was absolutely silent during each of those English periods. She knew great writing and she found a way for her students to experience it. Over the years I've re-read "In Cold Blood" a number of times, but none of those times compares to that original experience of hearing it, week by week, being read by Helen Simmons. It was a great lesson, taught by a great teacher. I'm in her debt.

Steve Tindall Music-1964

Remembrance by:

Steve Lewis (64) - A friend and classmate

I have fond memories of Steve. We became friends from the first day. He introduced me to jazz patterns on drums and was always willing to help me or anyone else in the school.

I'll miss him.

Daryl Tribble Dance-1975

Remembrance by:

Jane Burgman Adams (75) - A friend and classmate

It was through him and his mother that I learned of this wonderful school, The High School of Performing Arts. My little brother, classmate and friend. He will be truly missed.

Dr. Rachael Yocom

Remembrance by:

Anonymous

Dr. Rachael Yocom was Chairman of the Dance Department from 1954-l972 and Teacher-in-Charge of the whole building from l973 -l975. She had a Doctorate in Physical Education from N.Y.U. and is survived by her two sisters Ruth and Roberta Jean and by her brother Raymond. She passed away at 9:30 P.M. on the evening of Nov. 14th in Tucson, Arizona where she retired with Gertrude Shurr (who passed many years ago).

Derrick Best & Darnell Pritchard

Remembrance by:

Lisa Logan-Rogers

This is written in memory of two of my favorite fellows Derrick Best & Darnell Pritchard class of 1985. Not only did we dance together but we laughed (a lot) together as well. From doing leaps across the floor (in the big room) to the Spanish restaurant, to the parking lot across the street to dancing in the train station on the way home. I will always keep those memories in my heart, never ever to be forgotten. As I look back on our pictures they always manage to bring a smile to my face and sometimes even a tear to the eye. You both were very loved and definitely very missed. May God shine upon you always. Your sister.

Max Weisberg

Remembrance by:

Rhonda Christou

Max, You left us way too soon! You are forever missed!