Jaden Moreno, Grade 10:

I am singing the song “Man or Muppet” from The Muppet Movie with Adam Samuel. The song focuses on the two leads of the movie questioning their identity and if they are more of a “man” or a “Muppet.”

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

A: I started performing in shows and concerts when I was around five years old. Since then, I have been performing in around two to three shows a year. I mainly listen to a lot of classic rock, so my biggest influences would be bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

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

A: I do not see myself pursuing music as a career in a future, but I do enjoy performing.

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

A: My favorite part about performing is easily doing comedy. The main reason why I like to do shows and theater is because I like playing comedic roles in them, so that would definitely be my favorite part.

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

A: I do not get too nervous anymore performing in front of people, but I actually find it easier to perform in front of strangers than people I know. I think for most people it would probably be the other way around, but I have an easier time when I am acting in front of people I do not know.

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

A: The thing I love the most about music is the wide variety of genres that there are. Most people can find a type of music that they can enjoy, and while it may be vastly different from what somebody else listens to, it can make them feel the same way. Music has certainly helped me get through the pandemic, as it is one of the best ways to feel like you are returning to some sense of normalcy.