Bronx Science fires music director

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A Riverdale resident is fighting to get his job at the Bronx High School of Science back after receiving an e-mail ending his contract. 

Isaac ben Ayala, a professional musician who has worked part time directing the school’s spring musical for the past 17 years, lost his position after a dispute with an assistant principal over access to the musical instrument room and the school’s piano, he said. 

School administrators did not answer requests for comment.

In years past, Mr. Ayala, who works on contract through the school’s Alumni Association, had keys to access the room, where he rehearsed with students from each show’s pit orchestra.

But after someone broke an instrument several years ago, the school revoked keys from part-time employees like Mr. Ayala.

He grew frustrated about the time he and his students spent waiting for an assistant principal to remove a lock on the piano, which cut into practices, and raised the issue with the assistant principal and other administrators. 

“I said, ‘This doesn’t make sense. Why can’t I have a key to the piano?’” he recounted pleading on March 11.

Mr. Ayala continued that one administrator responded by saying the school was dealing with a crisis — the recent arrest of one of its teachers, Jon Cruz, who was charged with producing, receiving and possessing child pornography on March 6. 

Mr. Ayala countered that the school is often dealing with crises. In 2012, three students on the track team were arrested during a hazing scandal. 

An assistant principal rejected the request for keys. On March 12, Mr. Ayala received an e-mail from Bronx Science stating his services with the school musical were suspended. He later learned the school had replaced him with a new director for the show. 

“I should have known better… but I didn’t think for a second I would be fired over this,” he said. 

Over the years, Mr. Ayala has directed musicals ranging from “Fiddler on the Roof” to “Rent.” This year, he was working with students on a production of “Urinetown.” 

After receiving the e-mail notice, he attempted to contact the school’s administration, but was unsuccessful. He recently reached out to a lawyer from the Musicians Union, who has contacted the school on Mr. Ayala’s behalf. 

In a letter responding to his lawyer, Principal Jean Donahue claimed Mr. Ayala had been escorted from the school by security, which he denies.

“People in their thirties come back to me and say, I remember the musicals,” Mr. Ayala said. “They always say such positive things about how it affected them. I guess that’s what I’m going to miss the most.”

Bronx Science, Isaac ben Ayala, Jean Donahue, firing, Maya Rajamani

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