Evil Woman by Electric Light Orchestra
Alisa C.
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The development of this set was one of the best experiences of my high school career. During the majority of my teenage years, all of my creative interactions had been through Zoom. COVID-19. had severely limited my ability to create with others from my freshman year through my junior year. During this period of isolation, I brought myself comfort by playing guitar, painting, and singing in my room. But I felt incomplete without other artists to collaborate with. Going into my senior year, I wanted to take every opportunity to perform with others that I could grab hold of.
In the summer of 2022, I messaged a good friend of mine and said, "Lets start a band." With no questions asked, he replied, "Lets do it." Over quarantine, he taught himself to play the guitar while I had been participating in Youth in Art's teen a cappella group, 'Til Dawn, and in the schools jazz choir working on vocal technique. We reached out to some of our artistic childhood friends, and within a few weeks we had a band. Through the San Marin High School Rock Band program, we spend eighth period every Monday rehearsing our sets and also rehearse outside of school on days we simply want to see each other. Our shared love for the arts has brought us closer together than ever before.
Art and music can be especially vulnerable for many people. Personally, music has always been my form of release and expression. Being able to share this love and vulnerability with the people I love has brought me both an undying appreciation for the arts, and unconfined joy. Thank you Kash Connors, Jesse Chi, Gabbie Boggeri, and Mandy Bell for such an amazing experience, and thank you Allison McIver and James Harman for giving us the space to explore our creative nature. The development of this piece taught me more than how to correct instrumental mistakes and improve my vocal technique. It taught me how art can create meaningful relationships with those around me.
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Art has the power of creating community. While singing in the Youth in Arts a cappella group,'Til Dawn, I've found inspiration in advocating for youth voices. Witnessing the arts unite diverse groups and address pressing social issues has given me an undying appreciation that empowers me everyday.
