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By Rama K. Ramaswamy
Every year, the recital recognizes students from musical classes at all levels of the school, according to Jennifer Gaul, Director of the Dana Hall School of Music. Gaul highlighted the work her students did to put on the show.
“I am constantly impressed that our music students are able to balance the rigors of their academic and athletic schedules while still finding time to focus on their music studies,” Gaul said. “This year’s recital highlighted the dedication and discipline of these extraordinary young women.”
According to Dana Hall School of Music staff and teachers, students often begin during pre-school or elementary school and continue through high school either at Wellesley Public or at Dana Hall; there are also a few students who attend other private schools in the area but remain loyal to the DH School of Music.
A few parents in attendance commented upon this “high level of performance” and “the success of the 2015-16 Honors Recital” as a reflection of Gaul’s “unique brand” of leadership and skill with regard to selecting educators, who in turn, convey “a love for music” to their students.
Parents, Dana Hall staff, teachers and members of the greater Wellesley community gathered on the Dana Hall School campus for the “evening of talent,” as one parent put it.
Dana Hall School of Music faculty who had students participating in this year’s Honors Recital were as follows: Bob Lasher, Tera Gorsett, Fumei Huang, Jayoung Kim, Kanako Nishikawa, Angela Longo, Laura Wilkins and Mike Weidenfeller.
The musical repartee ranged from J.S. Bach, F. Chopin and W.A. Mozart to James Brown, Beyonce, John Legend as well as P. Morlacchi, F. Gluck and E.Grieg. Zoe Lillis and Molly Brown (guitar/ vocals) began with “Fearless” by Taylor Swift and as Imondo announced, “the band that was never meant to be”, comprised of Hosna Seyed-Reihani (piano), Natalie Ciardi (electric bass/guitar) and Sinclair Imondo (vocals) finished off the evening together, with “Halo” by Beyonce.
