Bolles chorus students attended Jax Sings, a workshop and concert program hosted by the University of North Florida, on September 24-25.
Ashkon Shirazi ’24 was selected to perform the only solo in the high school portion of the concert, and Aisha Hasan ’23 and Nate Zerkowski ’25 were chosen to be featured singers in a small group for a piece. Hasan and Katherine Asbury ’24 were also recognized with MVP awards for their whole voice part section, a distinction given to them by their UNF section ambassadors.
Bolles Choral Program Director Meredith Mormann said nine of her upper school students worked with Dr. McKenna Stenson from The University of Kansas over the two-and-a-half-day workshop. Twelve Bolles middle school students had the opportunity to learn from Shanpatrick Davis from Coral Reef High School in Miami for six hours before their final concert.
In addition to rehearsals and a moving concert with these talented clinicians, students attended vocal masterclasses, drum circle demonstrations, a private concert of UNF’s choral ensembles and college audition workshops. They also benefited from valuable bonding time and friendly competition between sections.
“All my students expressed their enthusiasm at Jax Sings, and they took so many positive things away from the experience,” Mormann said. “Two of my upper school students said it completely revolutionized their outlook on vocal music and music in general. Such an amazing experience!”
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