Neil spent his school years (Lincoln High) living in the middle class- Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York. Here he showed interest in his High School's Sing, Class Nite and Organisational Group. He quickly established himself in the school fencing team which later helped him get a scholarship to New York University.
Fencing let him express himself and gain confidence in his own abilities, and around this time he began to realise that music was becoming an interest to him as well.
It is said that neil got his first guitar for his 16th birthday. In the mid to late 1950's whilst Neil was attending Eramus High School, he started taking interest in the stage. The first song he wrote 'Hear them bells' is thought to have originated from attending a summer camp and listening to other students singing their own songs. Ben Goldman was the music teacher at Lincoln High, and a songwriter himself. Ben encouraged Neil to collaborate with him. As the 50's came to a close, Neil achieved a fencing scholarship for a pre med degree New York University.
