The Uniondale High School Show Choir, Rhythm of the Knight, brought holiday cheer — and a whole lot of soul — to the school’s stage last Friday and Saturday for their annual Holiday Spectacular: Gospel edition. They added hip-hop flair and powerful vocals, to the delight of a cheering crowd.
The performance featured students and community members of all ages. Gabriella Young, a special education teacher at the high school, took the stage as Mom to sing “O Holy Night.” Uniondale resident Pat Watts, portraying Grandma, performed ‘Santa Clause is Coming to Town.”
And among the youngest cast members were 9-year-old twins: Reuben Alexander Campbell Jr., known as RJ, and Ava Janae Campbell. Ava sang in the ensemble, while RJ took two solo turns.
“I introduced the gospel version of this year’s Christmas theme, and this is about believing in yourself,” said longtime Uniondale High music teacher Lynnette Carr-Hicks. “That’s what I want to do for them, so they can believe in themselves.”
Carr-Hicks founded the show choir in 2010, and added the holiday theme concept a couple of years later. Her daughter, Joynell Carr — both are from Westbury — was the show’s choreographer. They have worked together for roughly 20 years, and while Joynell was nervous at first, now, she said, it’s “easy peasy.”
“I feel as though it brings the community together to see kids — especially black, brown and Latino kids — coming together and singing and being joyous,” Carr said. “It’s important for them, and it’s important for people to see these kids in this type of light.”
“We only had two weeks of rehearsals,” Carr-Hicks said. “These kids are booked and busy — they’re always performing. But they still brought their A game.”
The show blended musical numbers with a story, in which the lead character, Elijah — played by Elijah Kebreau — searches for his voice, and ultimately finds it.
“Elijah didn’t need a stage,” Carr-Hicks narrated at the end. “He didn’t need spotlights or microphones. He just needed a moment and the courage to shine. And when he did, he helped an entire community find their joy again.”
The stage featured holiday decorations, including Santa Claus, the Grinch and a sparkling Christmas tree. Audience members danced in their seats. One fan shouted, “Yes! Sing!” as students delivered powerhouse vocals.
The ensemble had several costume changes, from Christmas sweaters, to their classic yellow and black robes. Some outfits were reversible to help students transition quickly between scenes.
A special guest also joined the cast: Kenyo Baly, 29, a 2014 Uniondale High graduate. Originally from Sint Maarten, on the Caribbean island of St. Martin, Baly moved to Long Island at 15, and joined the show choir in 2012. After graduating, he pursued a music career, releasing the single “Got Played” and a Christmas album. In last weekend’s performances he sang “Mary Did You Know?”
“I loved ‘Total Praise,’” Carr-Hicks said, referring to the finale, written and recorded by Richard Smallwood. “(It’s) more than a song to me — it carried me through one of the most critical moments of my life. During my brain surgery, its words became my prayer, my strength and my peace. It reminded me that even in uncertainty, I was held, protected and never alone.”
Another standout moment came when Amaya Grier took the stage with her trumpet. Grier, a Uniondale High senior, blended classical precision with soulful flair, displaying the range of talent the school’s music program continues to foster.
But the heart of this year’s show was RJ Campbell. A fourth-grader at California Avenue School, he has performed at memorials and the district’s Gospel Fest in October. He plays saxophone in his music class and tutors classmates in math and reading — where he excels, he said.
“I’m always nervous before I perform,” RJ admitted, moments before stepping onstage after intermission.
“My favorite part is when we all work together at show choir — so if there’s anything we need, we’re always here for each other,” he said. “Miss Carr is always here,” he said, referring to Carr-Hicks before giving her a hug.
RJ’s mother, Jacqueline Fowler, beamed during intermission, hugged him and said, “I’m so proud of you!”
“To see them both on stage, especially Ava — to see her on the stage moving like that, it’s nothing but a miracle,” Fowler added. “She’s very introverted, and now she is very interactive.”
At home, Fowler explained, both kids sing for her, adding of RJ, “He always asks me, ‘Mom can I sing for you?’ and I say, ‘Go ahead.’”
RJ said that performing during the holiday season is all the more special. “It’s Christmas! It’s exciting,” he said. And with the district’s winter recess starting Dec. 24, he added with a smile, “I finally get to relax.”
