McKayla Inghram- Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Thirty-four Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Mustangs performed at the David Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday, March 30.
To prepare for the performance, the singers attended three days of rehearsals held at Fordham University. Kyle Pederson, the composer of all seven songs performed, taught Mustangs the meaning and interpretation of his pieces, along with ways to improve emotional resonance with the audience.
LRHS Senior Addison Schoenfeld said, "Seeing Lincoln Center in person was overwhelming and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The concert was just amazing; it was very fulfilling to hear everyone clap at the end.”
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LRHS Freshman Victoria Kallas was chosen as one of seven soloists for the concert through an online audition process, competing against students from 12 high schools nationwide. Kallas, a Soprano, was one of two singers selected to sing the piece ‘Remember the Children’ by Kyle Pederson.
During the four-day trip, Mustangs attended a performance of the musical ‘Chicago’ on Broadway and met the casting staff, who explained the criteria for picking performers and how they find them.
The singers had a trip packed with activities, such as traveling on a ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, riding the Subway, eating in Little Italy, and free time to explore the city in a group accompanied by a chaperone.
“My favorite thing we did, besides performing, was seeing the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was such a special moment for the kids, some even got teary-eyed touring Ellis Island and looking for their family histories on the computers,” said LRHS choir teacher Rebekah Lester.