September 5, 2001 – Legendary performer and Queens native, Tony Bennett conceived of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in honor of his late friend and colleague. Through the support of Speaker of the City Council Peter Vallone and Borough President of Queens Claire Shulman, meetings with Tony Bennett and the New York City School's Chancellor Harold Levy were held to create this innovative arts school. The program consists of a demanding academic curriculum in addition to a pre-conservatory studio education in one of the following art forms: instrumental music, vocal music, fine arts, drama and dance. In the eleventh grade, students will have the option of remaining in their original studio selection or auditioning for three new two-year studios: filmmaking, technical theatre and musical theatre. Students will be able to complete the academic coursework and the intensive study of an art form in three to four years through an extended day format. The school will be housed at its temporary site at LaGuardia Community College in Queens with a permanent facility to be built adjacent to the Kaufman Astoria Studios and Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. Council Speaker Peter Vallone and Queens Borough President Claire Shulman also attended the school's opening day presentation.