Enterprising music scholars are stars in the making

The young people in the Uniondale Summer Arts Academy focused intently on what they were doing, appearing orderly, even submissive, as they repeated a dance sequence or positioned their hands on an instrument.

But when asked what they enjoyed about the academy, they revealed the proactive reasoning behind their participation.

“Being able to play an instrument is not something everyone can do,” said Josiah Townsend, an 11-year-old trombone and baritone horn player who will start sixth grade in the fall. “Once you reach a certain skill level, you can just do whatever you want with it. It makes you feel happy, because you mastered a skill that you didn’t have when you were, like, five.”

“It’s fun,” agreed oboe player Sarah Couture, age 10, headed for fifth grade at summer’s end. “When I was younger, about four or five, I wanted to play an instrument, because my auntie used to play either the bass guitar or the electric guitar. But I love woodwinds. And I always wanted to be a songwriter, so I was meant for this.”

Max Jones and Jasmine Trusty are volunteering for the second year as student assistants for the summer theater and dance courses. Both will start 11th grade in the fall. Both are members of the award-winning Rhythm of the Knights Show Choir, which is run by choir leader Lynette Carr-Hicks and her daughter, choreographer Joynell Carr.

“We’re both in our Music Honor Society,” said Jasmine. “I play piano. I want to go into the medical field because I want to be a surgeon and maybe do some sort of music on the side. I’m doing a nursing program next month where I actually work with patients. I’ve been volunteering at nursing homes since elementary school.”

“I play the flute, the piccolo, and I am working on the trombone,” said Max. “It’s fun. I used to want to be a trauma surgeon, but now I am into molecular gastronomy, which is the chemistry of food, how it works in our digestive system and reacts with our taste receptors.”

“My mother always tells me I’m all over the place,” said Jasmine, “but I like to keep myself occupied.”

“That’s one thing that the music kids have in common,” Max agreed. “We like to move around all the time. And it’s very good to be well-rounded.”

Max Jones, who bakes and sells 150 cupcakes periodically at community events, explores the science behind what makes her cookery appealing. Jasmine Trusty has reached beyond her schoolwork and performing to build her medical career. Josiah Townsend envisions high musical achievement, and Sarah Couyoute is fulfilling a very real personal destiny.

The importance of supporting a program like the Summer Arts Academy shines through in their words.