A prestigious New York music program has accepted two young and ambitious Summit middle schoolers. Marcus Stevenson and Catherine Juliano of Summit middle school have joined the Julliard School Music Advancement Program (MAP). 

The weekend program runs through May of next year and includes several concert performances. Stevenson, who also is a member of the New Jersey Youth Chorus, is perfecting his skills at viola and Juilano is sharpening her ablities on saxophone during this rigourous Saturday program.

"Catherine and Marcus proudly represented Summit as two of the 67 students accepted" into the program, wrote Michelle Stevenson, Marcus' mother (and former Board of Education president). Over 200 applicants from the tri-state area applied to the music program.

"As you can imagine, Julie O'Connell (Catherine's mom) and I are extremely proud of the kids for all of the hard work they've put into their individual instrument training," said Stevenson.  

Summit parent Michelle Stevenson contributed to this report.