Europe brings together an unlikely group of students with music

Healani Brennan
Staff Writer 

This past summer five of Pierce College’s own choir singers—Liza Brown, Kyle Laird, Amanda Hansel, Chris “Paco” Trajillo, and instructor Evan Lambert—traveled to Europe for 10 days to show off their talents.  Each had to audition in order to attend this trip.

The group visited Prague, Český Krumlov, the neighborhood Mozart once lived in and many cathedrals in their spare time.  A tour guide helped them along, giving them a political, cultural, and historical education. The rest of their time was spent performing, and in one city a news crew even came to cover the event, treating the choir as celebrities.

Besides educational lessons, students learned from this endeavor on a personal level as well. “I reached a point in my personal life where I wanted to make a lot of changes. I wanted to get healthy, get fit, and that makes me a better performer. I also learned that I could be independent. I had to learn my music on my own because I was traveling before that trip and I was able to show up and be a professional and just step right into the group and perform with them and also be called upon by the director to sing parts and you have to get over your nerves.”

The experience formed a bond among the participants, making them feel like more of a family than schoolmates. This enhanced the musical experience and their performances. “There were a couple performances where we were in tears and the audience was in tears,” said Liza Brown.

The trip alone had a lasting affect on Liza “[The experience] was life changing. It was incredible. Not only was it an honor to represent Pierce as an ambassador… [but I got] to meet incredible people from other cultures.”

Evan and Liza devised a plan for a type of summer camp called PSAC where kids ages 8 and up can come to develop a passion for the arts.  “Our philosophy is that music lasts a lifetime. You shouldn’t just give it up after school and go and get a ‘real job’ and give up your passion.”

They hope the participants will come away with an experience that will hopefully push them towards the arts and encourage them to come to Pierce when they get to college level. To be a part of the Pierce music experience, enroll for winter quarter and bump up the number of chamber choir members. The Farwest jazz group needs to be rebuilt as well, so if interested, talk with the director or sign up for classes now.