As another year passes, we congratulate the many seniors who have spent time making music and art with us over the years. Some have been with us since they were in kindergarten, some have come on later but all have been impacted by the arts.
We asked this year's seniors to share their stories, including their future plans are and why they believe a community arts education is important.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I currently take private lessons with Jim
Dozet.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: The arts,
specifically music, and even more specifically jazz, are a massive part of my
life. I've loved music my entire
life. I honestly can't remember
when my first music lesson was. It
might have been piano around the age of 3. Had I not been introduced to music at a young age, I most
certainly would not be where I am now.
I believe that fine arts should be present in everyone's lives. Through the arts, we learn to express
ourselves creatively. This is such
an important skill in life, to be able to speak, not just verbally, but also
through art, music, theater, and dance.
I have stuck with music for my entire life, and I plan to continue. I’ve been honored to be around
supportive people and talented mentors who have guided me through my musical
endeavors. A fine arts education
can truly be life-changing.
What are your plans
for next year?: I will be
attending New York University next year, majoring in Jazz Studies/Performance
and minoring in Political Science.
I am so thrilled to have been accepted into such a competitive program,
and am looking forward to studying with the likes of Joe Lovano, John Scofield,
Mark Turner, Adam Rogers, Chris Potter, and Stefon Harris, among others.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I took voice lessons with Taylor O’Donnell for around 4
years, (8th grade-Junior year). We usually did ½ hour sessions and worked on
expanding my vocal range, specifically my middle mix voice. Taylor is not only
my teacher, but also my friends. I look up to her more than anyone else in my
life and she truly is the best role model and teacher I could have ever asked
for. She has not only taught me vocal techniques, but has also helped me
emotionally and spiritually. Taylor is an incredible woman and I am so lucky to
have had her as a teacher.
I also really loved the A Cappella camp she ran for a year
during the summer of my freshman year. It was super fun to choose songs we
wanted and work with kids my age while having Taylor there to encourage and
help us the whole way through. I specifically loved the warm up sessions she
had us do; one person would start on a random note of their choice and we would
go around the circle, each person adding a different note onto the previous
ones. It always ended up sounding beautiful and was a relaxing way to start the
session.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: An arts
education should be apart of every person’s life no matter the age or level of
experience. For me, the arts, specifically in music, have helped me heal from a
lot of rough patches through my life and made me feel confident in myself.
Music and practicing can be so frustrating, but once I could nail something I
was working on, I felt so accomplished and proud of myself. Music is always my
fall back when I have a hard day at school or something in my life isn’t going
as planned. I always looked forward to Wednesday’s to have that 30 minutes away
from everything else happening in my life and completely immerse myself in
music and happiness. PMAC in a lot of ways was my safe place and helped me grow
in more ways than just musical improvement.
What are your plans
for next year?: It’s extremely scary but also exciting to announce that I
will be attending Simmons College in Boston, MA. I will be a Neuroscience and
Behavioral Studies Major on the Pre-Med track. I also have plans to join their
A Cappella group called The Sirens. Music will always have a special place in
my heart and I’m so grateful for Taylor and all she has taught me.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I
started doing the PMAC summer Jazz camps when I was in 7th grade, I joined Matt
Langley’s Saturday Jazz Band in High School, and I’ve taken trumpet lessons
with Chris Klaxton. I also did a youth/adult Brass Ensemble with my sister this
winter.
What does an arts education
mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: Victor Hugo said,
"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible
to be silent." As a student of both writing and foreign languages, I've
often found myself tasked with conveying the ineffable. Throwing down my
Thoreau and my Nouveau Bescherelle, I reach instead for my trumpet. If there is
anything magical in this world, it's the human mind's response to music. I've
sung protest songs with French teenagers on a Paris city bus. I've collected
musical instruments to be sent to the developing world. I've played for young
painters, and shared the stage with avant-garde trombonist Curtis Hasselbring.
To each place I've traveled, whether in the Seacoast or abroad, I've brought music,
forged in me by the arts educators who have seared their sacred brand into my
life. Though I'm off next year to college, to be re-yoked to my Bescherelle and
my Thoreau, I have no doubt that music will carry me to places yet unknown. It
is for this spirit unlocked in me that I have to thank my arts educators, at
PMAC, at Berwick, at Oyster River, and those who wait in the uncharted future.
What are your plans
for next year?: I will be
attending University of Rochester (in New York State), where I’ll major in
International Relations and continue to play in Jazz Bands.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I am currently a member of the Bow Street
Youth Ensemble! I am a first violin, and it is actually my first semester with
this orchestra. I have, however, played with PMAC before; I played with the
junior ensemble for two years in third and fourth grade. I was able to see
Joshua Bell through Bow Street, which was my very first time seeing a classical
player live. I was also able to participate in the 25th anniversary alumni
concert last summer.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: An arts
education to me is a way of learning so many different things: history,
culture, expression, etc. Learning to play music has taught me about people I
would never have learned about otherwise. It has given an appreciation for
complexity, and has given an avenue to express my emotions in both a formal as
well as a more independent way. To me, this is the goal of any education in
arts.
What are your plans
for next year?: Next year, I
will be attending the University of Rhode Island as a dual Chinese and
Communications major, with a minor in French. I have been accepted into the
Chinese Language Flagship, a five-year national program based around superior
fluency. I will spend up to a year in China as a result, studying and working
in an internship. I love languages, and hope to use them in my career once I
graduate. I do not know what I want to do, but with my programs of study, I
know that the options are not limited!
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I took lessons at PMAC for many years, and
played in the first youth rock band with Chris Weisman. Later I moved to the
youth jazz band with Matt Langley, where he introduced me to jazz. I absolutely
loved doing the awesome sweaty summer camps all those years. The lessons I
learned and music I played there will be with me for a long time.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: To me, an arts
education is a hugely important part of one's development. Focus on the arts
for me opened my mind to new musical experiences and challenges in my emotional
and musical lives. All the incredible mentors I've had through PMAC and
elsewhere have taught me about how to be a better musician, but more
importantly a better person.
What are your plans
for next year?: I am really
excited to attend The Berklee College of Music next year. My current teacher,
Jackie Santos, is a professor there and I am really excited to continue working
with him. It is a big step for me, but I am prepared and excited to continue my
journey. I wouldn't be where I am today without the excellent steppingstone
into music that PMAC was for me.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I study guitar with Nick Phaneuf and it has
always been a great part of my week.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: An arts education means a huge amount to
me, I have played piano since I was little and I care about music so much. An arts education has definitely
impacted my life for the better as it has jumpstarted my love of music.
What are your plans
for next year?: My plan for
college is I am going to the University of Denver to study business, however I
will most definitely continue my pursuit of music.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I currently participate in Bow Street Youth
Orchestra.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: Arts education
is vital for the success of future generations. I am incredibly fortunate to
have learned music skills that are applicable across different instruments,
genres and ideas. Music has helped me to form some of my most rewarding
friendships. I am very thankful for these opportunities.
What are your plans
for next year?: Next year I plan to attend Emerson College to major in
Political Communications.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I am currently part of the Bow Street Youth
Orchestra as a part of the viola section.
I have been part of Bow Street since I was in 6th grade and have
participated in the orchestra every semester. I study viola with Augusto
Salazar, who is also the Director of the Bow Street Youth Orchestra.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: To me an
education in art provides kids with another outlet to help deal with what life
throws at you. Playing and listening to music helps me distress; it give a
place where I can put my energy. I
honestly don’t know who I would be if being part of a musical group was not a
part of my life.
What are your plans
for next year?: Next year I am planning to go to Smith College to major in
biology. When I get there I am
going to run track and hopefully be part of the orchestra there. I am extremely excited for the next
part of my life to finally start.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I have been taking violin lessons with Diane
Tiezzi since I was seven years old. I took guitar lessons with Bryan Killough
for a time when I was younger. For several years, I participated in Bow Street
Junior Ensemble and Bow Street Youth Orchestra. I also attended two sessions of
Summer Rock Camp.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: To me, an arts education is an
opportunity to learn how to think creatively and how to express oneself. An
arts education also gives students the chance to connect with and learn from
other members of their community. I have met many kind and inspirational
artists during my time at PMAC, who have influenced both my education and my
life as a whole. Through my studies at PMAC, I have begun a pursuit that enriches
my day-to-day life and gained a greater appreciation for music, arts, and
artists of all kinds.
What are your plans
for next year?: Next year, I will attend Bowdoin College, where I plan to
study French and English and participate in the college orchestra and string
ensembles.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I started off taking Piano lessons at PMAC
with Katherine from age 4-8. I then switched over to viola and continued to
take lessons through PMAC with Katie Backus, Jessica Helie and Augusto Salazar.
I became involved in Bow St. Youth Orchestra in 7th grade and have continued
through my senior year of high school. Last year I had the honor to be a part
of Max’s Spectacular Orchestra as well.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: Having an Arts
Educations through PMAC has fostered a love for music and also participating in
musical groups. The basis PMAC has given me will lead me to be comfortable
participating in any type of band or orchestra in the future. With this basis,
I plan on continuing to play and share music for the rest of my life.
What are your plans
for next year?: Next year I’ll be attending Wesleyan University and hope to
play in the orchestra as well as chamber groups. I may even audition for an a
cappella group!
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I have participated in multiple programs
since I was 7 or 8 years old. First, I played for three years in the semester
long rock groups, playing the violin where I learned to play within a group.
Later, when I was 9 or so years old, I began to take private lessons with
Augusto Salazar. To this day, I am still taking lessons from Augusto. When I
was roughly 11 years old, Augusto coaxed me into joining the Bow Street
Orchestra. For the first few years, I played in the Bow Street Junior Ensemble,
and eventually I made it into the more advanced Bow Street Youth Orchestra.
Over the years I progressed through the ranks, and currently I hold the concert
master position in the Orchestra.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: An education in music means a great
deal to me. Firstly, it means exploration. Not only have the lessons and
ensembles taught me how to read, play, and write music, but they have shown the
other world that music exists in. With the aid of my teachers, I have been able
to navigate and explore this world opening doors to many great opportunities in
my life to grow and develop as a person.
What are your plans
for next year?: Next year, I
will be taking a gap year. As of right now, the skeleton plan consists of
moving to Washington State in order to gain residency for college. Afterwards,
I will be attending Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I currently take guitar lessons with Bryan
Killough, and play outside of class just for fun, trying to learn as many songs
as I can.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: Playing the
guitar has always been a bit of an outlet for me, especially when I'm stressed.
It's very difficult to get frustrated with it and the result of hard work is
very tangible.
What are your plans
for next year?: Next year I’m
attending Norwich University in Northfield, VT and plan to begin a degree in
either physics or aeronautical engineering, and I will continue to play guitar
while doing so.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: At PMAC I have been taking trumpet lessons with
Chris Klaxton for the past two years. I have also participated in the Teen Jazz
Workshop over the summer.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: Arts education
is very important to me. I would say that it means a chance to explore creative
outlets in a way that still fosters learning, allowing you to reach your
potential to a fuller degree. I know that without arts education I would have
never been able to fully discover my passion for music.
What are your plans for
next year?: I will be attending Simmons College in the fall where I hope to
study music and physics.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I currently participate in piano lessons with
Mike Effenberger. In the past I participated in the Teen Jazz Ensemble and the
Teen Rock Band in the summer where we played at Prescott Park.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: I love being part of the arts. I am in the PHS marching band and jazz
band as well as participating in PMAC.
I think that the arts is an important part of everyone’s development and
I’m so happy to have been able to express myself through my music.
What are your plans
for next year?: I am going to
Tufts to study Engineering.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: For the past nearly five years I have
participated in the teen rock ensembles, summer camps, and interned with the
junior rock ensembles. I was also a part of the Round Robin Festival last year
through PMAC.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: I started
playing piano at a young age and since then my focus has been pretty much
entirely on music/music related subjects, so I would say it means a lot to me!
I think it is a very important thing to give kids the chance to experience such
a fun and interesting thing as musicianship. I don't know who I would be if I
weren't a musician, I can't really imagine anything I would find more
interesting.
What are your plans
for next year?: I am taking a
gap year to travel, work on independent projects, and figure out whether or not
college is the right path for me. I would really love to go to Berklee College
of Music the following fall, but there is still plenty I want to do and need to
consider between now and then!
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I am currently taking violin lessons with
Diane Tiezzi. I have been taking lessons with her since 2005. I have
participated in PMAC recitals, performed at weddings, and volunteered to play
at assisted living and nursing homes.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: An arts
education is valuable and essential in becoming a well rounded, creative, and
disciplined student. It has given me a greater appreciation for the music and
arts. It allows people to make connections to the many different aspects of
learning, while also giving a new perspective to the way one sees the world.
What are your plans
for next year?: Next year I will be attending College of the Holy Cross. I
am unsure of what I will be majoring in, but I plan to have a pre-health
concentration. I hope to continue playing violin in college and appreciate the
gift of music.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: I currently participate in drum lessons with
Mike Walsh and am in the PMAC Teen Jazz Band. I also play with the Bow Street
Orchestra. In the past I have taken guitar lessons with Nick Phaneuf, piano
lessons with Mike Effenberger, and drum lessons with Jim Rudolf. In addition, I
have taken many semesters of PMAC Teen Rock Band and attended the Summer Rock
Camp multiple times.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: Being a part of
all these ensembles and lessons has impacted me greatly - so much so that I am
pursuing a life of it. An arts education to me means a life of expression, hard
work, fun, love, and creativity. I am happy to have found the thing that I want
to spend my life doing so early on and a lot of it is due to the amazing
teachers I’ve had the privilege of studying with throughout my life so far.
What are your plans
for next year?: I am very excited to be attending Berklee College of Music
next year in the class of 2020, where I will be studying drum performance.
What program/s have
you participated in at PMAC?: At PMAC, I had the fun and the privilege of
being in several ensembles and taking lessons. The ensembles are great because you learn the ins and outs
of playing as a team. I was in
Rock Band with Mike Effenberger and Nick Phaneuf many times when I was younger,
which was great fun. I was also in
Jazz band with Chris Klaxton, who gave me a chance to explore playing
saxophone, which was a new instrument for me. I also grooved with Jim Dozet in the Jazz Guitar Ensemble
multiple times, which I really enjoyed.
For lessons, I've taken Voice, which is not my strong suit but has
helped me a lot, with Taylor O’Donnell and Erin Smith. And lastly, I take Recording lessons
with Jason Crigler, which has been cool because that is what I hope to be doing
in the future.
What does an arts
education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: Arts Education -
I guess “art” differs from “science” in that art involves how we feel and express
ourselves. Ever since I can
remember, music was part of my life and I always wanted to better understand
how it works. So, for me, a music
education has been a personal adventure; something I thrive on. I'm thankful for places like PMAC that
help people explore their passions and for the friends I met there.
What are your plans
for next year?: Next year I'll be in the Music Industry Program at the
College of Saint Rose in Albany NY.
I'll be continuing to study music and also production and the business
side of music.
SHIVA
What program/s have you participated in at PMAC?: I am in the PMAC Teen Jazz Ensemble for the spring, and I was in it for the fall as well. I also went to the PMAC Summer Jazz Workshop during the summer before 9th grade.
What does an arts education mean to you? And how has it impacted your life?: Music education has given me a lot of experience playing in an ensemble and really interacting with other musicians. It has also given me a lot of performance experience.
What are your plans for next year?: Next year I'm going to be attending Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Congratulations class of 2016! We can't wait to see what you do next!
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