SYOSSET, NY - Nassau BOCES recently renamed the Long Island High School for the Arts' (LIHSA) building that houses its music and theatre programs in honor of the mother of musician and Long Island native Billy Joel.

A dedication ceremony for the new Rosalind Joel Conservatory for Music and Theatre took place on Tuesday at the art school's Syosset campus. Currently, LIHSA is the only public high school for the performing and visual arts on Long Island. Over the past 40 years, the school has been a training ground for talented young artists who are actively and passionately exploring the worlds of music, musical theatre, theatre technology, dance, drama, film and visual arts.

During her life, Rosalind supported various charitable endeavors. Progressing from her strong support in assuring his musical education, the son who would reach world renown as singer-songwriter Billy Joel used his grounding in classical music to help create one of pop music's most enduring bodies of work.

His song, "Rosalinda's Eyes," from the 1978 album, 52nd Street, is a tribute to her, derived from the family history. Rosalind passed away in 2014 at the age of 92. A longtime arts and music education advocate, Billy Joel is a strong supporter of the Long Island High School for the arts.

He held a master class for students and has visited them in their classrooms. He also pledged $1.5 million in 2016 to LIHSA.

In August, Billy also gave a $20,000 scholarship to a budding pianist who recently graduated from LIHSA to attend Berklee College of Music.

The Joel Foundation also announces a pledge for $1 million to continue support for Exploring the Arts (ETA), the non-profit organization founded by legendary singer Tony Bennett and his wife, Susan Benedetto, dedicated to strengthening arts education in public high schools. With support from the Joel Foundation, ETA will work closely with LIHSA to create exciting opportunities and rigorous instruction for its music students over the next four years.