Way to Go: David Davani, Glen Head

David Davani hit a personal high note recently by winning a YoungArts Award from the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts.

Davani, a senior and first clarinet at North Shore High School in Glen Head, was one of 150 students selected nationwide out of some 7,000 applicants earlier this school year.

"I'm proud of my achievement," said Davani, 17, who received a $100 prize. "Music has always been an important part of my life. It takes discipline and dedication to gain proficiency on an instrument. When the music becomes more complicated, you need to keep pushing yourself until you get it."

To be considered, Davani said, he sent a recording of himself playing a solo and a movement of a major concerto, among other things. The recognition is especially significant to him, he said, because his artistic role model, Ricardo Morales, also won the award while in high school. Morales now is principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic.

For winning, Davani participated in a YoungArts Week earlier this month that consisted of a master class and various exhibitions, performances and workshops in Manhattan.

"This is quite an accomplishment for a young musician," said Terryl Donovan, director of fine and performing arts at North Shore High School.