Marisa Hickey, Grade 12:

I am singing “Jackson” by Johnny and June Cash with Finn Boyle, and it is about a married couple that is getting sick of each other, so the husband says he is going to go to “Jackson” to fool around, but the wife just makes fun of him because he couldn’t get any person better than her.

Q: How did you get started in music? Who are your greatest musical influences?

A: I got started in music when I was going into fourth grade because I thought joining chorus and band would be fun, and it was another thing to do. I have fallen in love with music and the whole process since. Sadly, when I got into high school, I was not able to continue playing in band because of my schedule, but I was able to be in chorus period 8 with Krystian Jamrozek. I then auditioned for concert choir at the end of my freshman year, and I was luckily one of the eight people to get in that year. Some of my musical influences have been my teachers. I love listening to certain performers like most teenagers but I think my four school teachers over the years, Stella Kruh, Anthony Carollo, Krystian Jamrozek, and Barry Wyner, truly made me become the musician I am today.

Q: Do you aspire to do anything with music in your future?

A: I actually plan on auditioning for the music performance program at college while minoring in musical theater. I will hopefully also participate in all the musicals, operas, acapella groups, and choirs, etc., that I can.

Q: What is your favorite part about Performance Friday and/or performing in general?

A: My favorite part about Performance Friday is being able to be on the stage and just to do something that I know will make at least one person smile. Especially this year due to COVID-19, I was so excited to learn that we were allowed to participate in one thing normally in the music department.

Q: Do you get nervous to perform in front of people, specifically your peers? How do you quell your nerves?

A: I used to get nervous to perform for a lot of people, and a still do a little bit, but I think as I got older, I got more confident, and I think it’s just easier to perform in front of underclassman compared to upper. I don’t know why, but I know a lot of people feel the same way. I usually talk to people to get rid of the nerves when I do have them, but once the first note is sung, all the nerves leave my body.

Q: What do you love most about music? Has music helped you in any way through the pandemic?

A: I love music that can make such an impact on someone based on the timbre, tone, and lyrics of the piece. Music has helped me a lot through this pandemic. I usually do listen to music almost 24/7 but through this pandemic, I definitely listened to music, especially pop, rock, and musical theater, more than I ever have before. It also helped me get through the longer, more stressful days.