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Family Weekend Cabaret 2024
The Performing Arts Department kicked-off the year with a Cabaret performance on Friday, October 18 during the Family Weekend and Old Home Days celebration. Students, families, staff and alumni gathered in the Nita Choukas Theater in Horowitz Performing Arts Hall for the highly anticipated show. Photos can be found on flickr and a link to the recording of the performance is on Youtube.
The evening began with a slideshow showing all the activities students have been participating in so far this year and a welcome address from Head of School Dr. Jenifer Zaccara. The student emcee hosts, Asper Donath '26 and Caitlin Masure '25 took it away and entertained the crowd as they opened the show.
VA Vocal, Jazz, Chamber, and Combined Ensembles performed music by Duke Ellington, Billy Joel, Ray Nobles, The Beatles, W.A. Mozart, Shocking Blue, Neil Diamond, and more.
Vocal Ensemble members included: Yehoon Allen ’28, Nik Dunbar ’27, Yuliang Feng ’25, Ryan Guo ’28, Suki Lambert ’25, Sara Martínez Mateos ’26, Caitlin Masure ’25, Catherine Min ’27, Casey Rhodes ’27, Maya Sbardellati ’25, Morgan Studin ’25.
Jazz Ensemble members included: Elliott Carr ’28, Eric Chen ’27, Asper Donath '26, Ana Hernandez-Merkle ’25, Charlie Hodgson ’25, Aly Lantz ’25, Xander Linnenbringer ’26, Caitlin Masure, Evie Meyer ’28, Oliver Norkun ’26, Marley Odell ’26, Luke Pennell ’26, Darien Rainey ’27, Jacob Studin ’28, Morgan Studin ’25, Oliver Walsh-Fischetti ’25.
Chamber Ensemble members included: Asper Donath ’26, Taylor Gleeson ’25, Ana Hernandez-Merkle ’25, Suki Lambert ’25, Xander Linnenbringer ’26, Caitlin Masure ’25, Catherine Min ’27, Luke Pennell ’26, Morgan Studin ’25.
Theater Improvisors Casey Rhodes ’27, Honora Walsh ’26, and Suki Lambert ’25 performed various acts onstage.
Student Jazz Trio "Half Giraaffe" including Luke Pennell, Oliver Norkun, and Eric Chen performed two original compositions created by Luke.
Antisha Ssuna ’25 played selections from Bach Cello Suite #3.
Suki Lambert performed "Dress Like A Pirate" by Madilyn Mei on the ukulele.
Caitlin Masure, Suki Lambert, and Morgan Studin sang “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan with Caitlin on guitar.
Luke Pennell performed another original piece on the piano.
For the finale of the show, the Vocal, Jazz, and Chamber Ensembles all joined the stage and performed Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and had the audience sing along.
Andy Darcy '25 helped everyone in the show sound their best as the sound board operator.
In addition to the wonderful acts of the night, the Autumn edition of "Paw Print", a student-led publication of work submitted by students including writing, art, music, photography, and more was launched. Maya Carbone ’27, Rhema Nabasa ’25, and Andy Darcy ’25 are the student editors.
The Fall Family Weekend Cabaret is produced by the Vermont Academy Performing Arts Department including faculty leaders Jonathan Barron ’96 theater arts director, Gwenn Curtis humanities faculty and vocal ensemble instructor, and Steve Cady performing arts chair / music programs.
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
