Seasoned music teacher tapped as Seaford school's new arts leader

The Seaford School District announced the appointment of Patrick Kennedy as the director of fine and applied arts. He assumed the role on July 1 and will supervise several academic programs including art, business, family and consumer sciences, music and technology.

Kennedy comes to Seaford from the Great Neck School District where he has been an elementary instrumental music teacher for six years and has also served as director of summer recreation. Prior to that, he was a band and general music teacher in New York City for three years. He supported the marching band at his alma mater, MacArthur High School in Levittown, as a consultant for nearly a decade.

A co-founder of a nonprofit organization, Chords for Peace, Kennedy served as its music director from 2016 and 2020. Through that organization, he taught music in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for multiple summers.

Classically trained in percussion, Kennedy earned his bachelor’s degree in percussion performance and a master’s degree in music education from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, and his educational leadership certificate from the College of St. Rose. He is currently working on his doctorate in educational leadership from Concordia University with a focus on leadership in innovation and continuous improvement.

In Seaford, Kennedy looks forward to working closely with teachers to establish common goals for their respective departments. He aims to strengthen already robust programs and further increase student participation. Kennedy sees the fine and applied arts as disciplines that should be accessible to all students.

“I really like the Seaford community and how involved everyone is in the departments that I'm overseeing” he said. “I’m excited to work with professionals who are passionate about what they do.”

Outside of school Kennedy, of Northport, is a freelance musician, plays ice hockey and has a 1-year-old son.