‘TIME TO SHINE’
Students put their best feet forward for SoPA Music Performance Spring Showcase on April 5
Students set for SoPA Music Performance Spring Showcase on April 5
After working on her music behind closed doors for the past three months, Jocelyn Reyome is counting down the days until she performs in front of a live audience.
The singer-songwriter will finally get to do just that this week when the curtain raises on the School of Performing Arts’ (SoPA) Music Performance Spring Showcase.
“I’m very, very excited. It’s kind of the last hurrah for all the second-year students. So, it’s going to be interesting to see what everybody is bringing to the table,” says the resident Boston, Mass. The music showcase set for Thursday, April 5, at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall in Charlottetown at 7:30 p.m.
Fellow student Anni-Yah Ferguson is also enthusiastic.
“It’s significant because it’s the last (showcase) for the year. And, for most of us, who are leaving, this is our mark and our legend,” says the secondyear student who plays the violin in the improv and jazz Latin ensembles.
Reyome is making her mark by polishing “Have You Heard?”, a composition by Pat Matheny, for the showcase.
“It’s a rather difficult song, so it’s been great to delve into it, get into the inner workings of it and figure it out. And I’m feeling pretty confident about it,” says Reyome, who plans to continue her studies at the Berklee College of Music this coming fall.
After working hard all semester, Elijah Rudick, 19, is feeling confident about the opportunities that a showcase can bring.
“Last semester, people from Upstreet Craft Brewing came to my ensemble and asked if we could do a show for them. So, we’re currently working on that,” says the first-year student from New Jersey, who is polishing “Valerie”, a song by Amy Winehouse, for the stage.
Watching as students work to perfect their music for the spring showcase pleases Liam Corcoran.
“I’ve gotten to sit in on a few rehearsals and I’m very, very excited. I like what the jazz groups are doing. I like what the R&B groups are doing. It’s going to be a very enjoyable evening,” says Corcoran, SoPA’s program manager.
SoPa provides a post-secondary opportunity for students to develop their artistic skills, share their passion for music, theatre and dance, gain an understanding of the business side of the performance industry and explore career options in the performing arts. Besides performing for an audience, this particular event is a celebration for the students.
“It’s a night where they can show off what they’ve been putting so much effort into. It’s their time to shine.”
Johann Mevs from San Juan, Puerto Rico, agrees.
“For me, what I’m looking forward to most is just playing with (my fellow) musicians. They are talented people here from all over the world and we’re just coming together to make good music,” says the second-year student.
Mevs is also looking forward to hearing from a certain university.
“I sent my application to Berklee. I’m waiting to hear back from them. Hopefully I’ll be there next fall.”