Lineup Revealed For Billy Joel Symposium, Featuring Long Island Voices

STONY BROOK, NY — The speaker lineup has been announced for this summer's 'Billy Joel Symposium,' featuring several Long Island voices.

A symposium dedicated to the work of the Piano Man, Billy Joel, is set for June 6 and 7 at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook.

The venue invited fans, scholars, critics, musicians, and students to submit papers for the inaugural symposium, and selected speakers will present their papers. Scholars and experts will gather to examine the singer's artistry, life, and cultural impact at the event, presented by Catholic Health.

Tom Needham, executive director of the 'Billy Joel Symposium' and LIMEHOF vice chairman, said this event is creating a space where scholarship meets lived musical experience.

"This symposium underscores that Billy Joel’s music isn't just beloved — it’s historically and culturally significant," he said.

Needham added that LIMEHOF will also be inducting Dennis Arfa, Billy Joel's booking agent and chairman of the Music Division at Independent Artist Group.

"Behind every legendary artist is a visionary advocate who helps bring the music to the world," Needham said.

A full list of speakers, including those from Long Island, can be found below:

• Dr. Frank Doyle (Land ‘O Lakes, FL/Northport/Dix Hills, NY)
• Kristen J. Nyitray (Stony Brook, NY)
• Featured Keynote Speaker: Jon Small (Northport, NY)
• Nora Cronin, (East Meadow, NY)
• Darren Stakey (Riverhead, NY)
• Dr. Tom Rizzuto (West Hempstead/Floral Park)
• Clive Young (Rockville Centre, NY)
• Featured Keynote Speaker: Jason Hanley, PhD (Holbrook/Sachem, NY)
• Featured Keynote Speaker: Wayne Robins (Franklin Square, NY)
• Bradley Hartman (Sayville/Ridge, NY)
• Gina Mingola (Shoreham, NY)
• Blake Love (Pullman, WA)
• Kara Russell, PhD, (Newington, CT/New Britain, CT)
• Stephanie LeBlanc (Dartmouth, MA)
• Kenneth Brown (Nesconset, NY)
• Patricia Salkin, (Glenmont, NY)
• Irene M. McDermott (Glenmont, NY)
• David Das (Las Angeles, CA)
• Pablo Arguelles (NYC/Mexico)
• Francis X. Altomare, PhD (Miami/Lake Worth Beach, FL)
• Featured Keynote Speaker: John Jackson (Connecticut)
• Amy Tenney Curren (Brooklyn, NY/Bethesda, MD)
• Kendall Biehl (Brooklyn, NY/Tampa, FL)
• Mack Paprott (Massachusetts)
• Jestin Pieper (Fond du Lac, WI)
• Joshua S. Duchan, Ph.D. (Detroit, MI)

The 'Billy Joel Symposium' is open to the public with a special ticket purchase. Tickets are available via ThunderTix on the LIMEHOF website. The event will take place at the Hall of Fame location at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook.

Dennis Arfa induction tickets can be found at this link.