Winter Performing Arts Night 2025

Click here to see photos from the night.

Watch the entire performance here.

The show began with introductions from Performing Arts Chair Steve Cady and the Vermont Academy Jazz Ensemble’s performance of “Bye Bye Boston” by Mike Carubia and “My Funky Valentine” by Rodgers and Hart as arranged by Mr. Cady. 

As Mr. Cady was introducing the next act, the night took an unexpected turn as he was secretly part of the beginning of the VA Theatre Ensemble’s first skit of the night “Stage Combat.” The skit started with Asper Donath ’26 “punching” Mr. Cady to the ground with Nik Dunbar ’26 joining Asper soon after for a comedic back and forth about theater and performance etiquette.

After the laughs died down and the actors departed the stage, the Vermont Academy Vocal Ensemble, led by Gwenn Curtis, performed two pieces titled “Direct-on” with lyrics by Rainer María Rilke and music by Morten Lauridsen, as arranged by Ms. Curtis, and “Knowing What I Know Now” from the movie Wish with lyrics by Julia Michaels and music by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice, as arranged by Ms. Curtis.

The night continued with the VA Chamber Ensemble performing four pieces under the conduction of Mr. Cady. These pieces were “Come, Follow Me” by Traditional, “String Quartet #1, mvt 2” by David Stone, “Seems Like the Time Just Slips Away” by Dan Bennett, and “Excerpt from Symphony #40, mvt 1” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 

Half Giraffe, a group comprised of Eric Chen ’27, Oliver Norkun ’26, and Luke Pennell ’26 came to the stage to perform “I Can’t Get Started” by Vernon Duke. Afterwards, the VA Jazz Ensemble returned to play “Oye Como Va” by Tito Puente and “Sneaker” by Jay Chattaway. 

The Chamber and Vocal Ensembles joined the Jazz Ensemble in an energetic performance of “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross. The curtain closed and the greater Vermont Academy Theatre Ensemble performed another skit titled “The Argument.”

The night ended with five different routines from the VA Dance Team, led by Lindsey Fitzgerald, who introduced each dance. The team took the audience on a journey from control to free will, reflected in the various styles of dance and choreography presented. Their first dance was a contemporary dance to the song “Persephone” by Tamino. This was followed by a lyrical routine to “Storms in Africa (Pt. II)” by Enya, choreographed by Holly Johnson of Brattleboro School of Dance. 

Things took a lively turn as the next dance was a hip hop routine to “Lose Control” by Missy Elliot (feat. Ciara & Fat Man Scoop) and was student-choreographed by co-captain of the team Ruby Besson ’25. The largest dance number of the night was a tap routine to “Under Control” by Calvin Harris and Alesso. The dancers closed out the show with a cathartic and exciting jazz routine to “Freewill” by Rush.

This wonderful evening of music, dance, and comedy would not be possible without the support of the VA Technical Team, led by Jonathan Barron ’96. Case Siegel ’25 was in charge of the sound board with Andy Darcy ’25 providing him with sound cueing. Asper Donath ’26 designed the lighting for all the performances that added dynamic style to the numbers. 

The Vermont Academy Jazz Ensemble:

Steve Cady, Director

Elliott Carr ’28

Eric Chen ’27

Asper Donath ’26

Ana Hernandez-Merkle ’25

Charlie Hodgson ’25

Aly Lantz ’25

Alexander Linnenbringer ’26

Caitlin Masure ’25

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

The Vermont Academy Theatre Ensemble:

Jonathan Barron ’96, Director

Lincoln Bernardin ’27

Gabby Clavel ’27

Andy Darcy ’25

Asper Donath ’26

Nik Dunbar ’27

Casey Rhodes ’27

The Vermont Academy Vocal Ensemble:

Gwenn Curtis, Director

Yehoon Allen ’28

Nik Dunbar ’27

Raymond Feng ’25

Suki Lambert ’25

Sara Martínez Mateos ’26

Caitlin Masure ’25

Casey Rhodes ’27

Maya Sbardellati ’25

Morgan Studin ’25

Angela Shi ’28 - Accompanist

The Vermont Academy Chamber Ensemble:

Steve Cady, Director

Asper Donath ’26

Taylor Gleeson ’25

Ana Hernandez-Merkle ’25

Suki Lambert ’25

Alexander Linnenbringer ’26

Caitlin Masure ’25

Catherine Min ’27

Luke Pennell ’26

Morgan Studin ’25

The Vermont Academy Dance Team:

Lindsey Fitzgerald, Coach

Ruby Besson ’25

Scarlett Bower ’28

Maya Carbone ’27

Katie Edwards ’25, 

Daniela González Bonet ’25

Suki Lambert ’25

Sara Martínez Mateos ’26

Tammy Pattayakorn ’26

Gabriela Romero Bermúdez ’26

Morgan Studin ’25

Kennedy Taylor ’26

Alexa Valderrama Ledezma ’25

John Velto ’25

The Vermont Academy Technical Team for this event:

Sound Board Operator: Case Siegel ’25

Lighting Design: Asper Donath ’26

Sound Cueing: Andy Darcy ’25

Technical Director: Jonathan Barron ’96