In the fall of melodies and swing, young Elliott Peeler ’24 stood in the midst of it all, watching the performance of an actor playing “Tevye” in the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” that inspired him to start his own journey as a musician. Since then, Elliott has engaged in both the choir and theater departments of PHS and is currently the director of the a capella group Around 8. His passion for the arts extends beyond the depths of the school: Elliott spends a majority of his free time either listening or practicing his music.  For Elliott, the musical department at PHS isn’t just a place to showcase his skills and grow as an artist, but also a small community he finds comfort in. Choir and theater isn’t just a genre but a place for him to showcase his school spirit and be a part of the whole. 
 
What inspired you to start getting involved with the musical department?
It’s definitely one of the most open extracurricular departments in school, and the performances are so open to everyone that you can see it and immediately get involved. That’s how I really knew I wanted to do choir. I was in Chorale II the first year here and then I saw what the PHS Choir could do, and the audition process is just you audition and you get in, and all these doors open up to you, and it was the same with the musical. You could just show up to one audition and you’re in the door. Obviously you have to know how to sing, but you learn that once you get in. 
How did you get started?
I moved here my sophomore year, and it was pretty much right off the bat. I auditioned for the fall play, then the winter musical, and I was in Chorale II my first year. So I saw the advertisements to audition and did it. 
How has the process of the Little Prince Opera been so far?
The opera process is definitely different and a lot more than the musical. You’re on your own and you have to be ready to pick up any measure at any point because we’re running it with the orchestra and they’re doing these sections, picking up from measure 255, and you just kind of have to have that in your brain. I mean, at this point in the process we’re still looking at the score to get the time signatures and everything, but it’s definitely a lot more. We block it out once and you just kind of have to learn it on your own, and there’s so much less time to attend to the little things for every scene. It’s not an extracurricular, so we have to do all in choir class, a couple periods missing gym. We have a quarter of the time because it’s at the end of the month. We do have night rehearsals, but it’ll be at the week of and that’ll be with our tech crew. 
What do you think the difference is between choir and theater?
I think in choir there’s more of a right answer to what sounds good, because you have really distinct vocal techniques they teach you and [...] it’s not just about memorizing words but the meter and the pitches of the words too. That being said, there are still [many other difficult] concepts in theater, like knowing your beats, when the tone of the scene changes, [and] when the distance between you and the character closes and opens. [In musicals], we can use those theater techniques to enhance the performance, but [for choir], there’s less emphasis on that and more emphasis on singing, counting the beats, and keeping the keys.
If you could play one role in any play, what would it be and why?
That’s a really tough question. One that comes to mind is Tevye from “Fiddler on the Roof,” just because he’s a very powerful baritone bass role, and there definitely are those roles, but not so much in modern theater. He [...] has a lot of light hearted comedic moments, but there’s also a lot of emotional depth to the character. I was in the production for “Fiddler on the Roof” when I was really young, and I really looked up to a kid who played Tevye and thought, “I want to do that when I grow up.”
What do you like the most about theater or choir?
I’ll start with a cappella. With a cappella, I really like the way you get to choose or arrange all the material, and it’s like our own little bubble; it really doesn’t even feel like choir or musical theater [...] because it’s all 100 percent student lead. It’s a great opportunity to advance our own voices as students and student leaders. And I mean voices; not just singing voices, but leadership voices. Voices in organizing our own gig and everything. And with choir, it’s really great to be a part of the whole and when you come together a few moments before the performance and you stand up and I don’t get that kind of school spirit elsewhere. And I don’t know if it’s much of a school spirit but a feeling of community. I think PHS is such a big school that you have to find a belonging in a smaller community and choir’s one of those communities. 
How’s being the music director of Around Eight? 
It’s a lot of fun. It’s really daunting because there’s not a lot you can do to prepare for it, because all of a sudden [it’s] “Oh, here’s 12 people you have to tell what to do” and “Oh, we’re performing three weeks into school and you have to have a set of songs.” But it’s super rewarding to just kind of blaze a trail through unknown territory, and I would wholly recommend a cappella [for those] who want to sing. 
Who do you get your inspiration from?
I think a lot of it comes from inside. I want to do really well in this for my own sake. I also have a voice teacher that’s really been behind my back for a long time, and he leads a really happy, thrilling, [and] interesting life in the vocal performance world, and I think that’s inspiring. [At times], performance art is incredibly cutthroat, but at the same time, [it’s] so fulfilling if you know what you want to do, and to see that example in real life it’s inspiring. 
Are you planning on pursuing a career in acting/singing, and will you continue your journey in college?
I don’t know; every school that I’m looking at that I’m going to be applying to has a great theater program. So that’s sort of been the bottom line, that I can do theater in college if I want to. But I figured that I don’t want to sacrifice a general education unless it’s the best of the best conservatory. 
What advice would you give to students who are interested in joining theater or choir?
Don’t get caught up in the pretense of it, like [the] gossip about the departments or what people think this means whether the people in the department like or don’t like you, or if you do well or not. Just do it if you want to develop your craft, or if you want a social circle of people around you because the department also offers that community-wise. But, if your goal is to become a better singer, a better actor, [or] a more disciplined performer, then you’ll get a lot of that. You get what you put in. 

Musician Elliott

With the beginning of spring comes the celebration of another underrepresented minority in America. Only made official by President Biden two years ago in 2021, National Arab-American Heritage Month recognizes and appreciates the contributions Arab-Americans have made to American culture. Syrian-American advocate Pierre Subeh’s campaign arduously for the acknowledgement of the struggles of Arab-Americans, especially following the anti-Arab sentiments that resulted from the 9/11 attacks. In honor of Subeh’s goal of recognizing Arabic culture and heritage, the theme of this month’s playlist (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6RwW3DSBFNfRFbFyMR0vcd) is Arabic music and artists.

   To present the variety of Arabic music, we organized songs into different categories: religious (Islamic) songs, Arabic pop songs, and, to celebrate those of Arab descent, American pop songs created by Arab-American artists.

   The most prevalent religion in Arab countries is Islam, so two types of Arabic Islamic songs, nasheeds and maqams, represent the religious contributions Arabs brought to the diversification of U.S. culture. Nasheeds and maqams bring to mind the diversity of faith and religion Arabs have contributed to America through their devotion to religion, predominantly Islam. Nasheeds are a type of Islamic music consisting of hymns that praise Allah, or God, and are generally very simple melodies. “Burdah Maula ya Salli” by Mesut Kurtis, “Ya Adheeman” by Ahmed Bukhatir, and “Who is the Loved One” by Alhaj Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Qadri all follow the theme of nasheeds of praising or thanking Allah and asking for His blessings. While nasheeds are typically geared towards followers of Islam, the singing can be very calming and provides a diversified listening experience for everyone. Maqams, on the other hand, focus more on music than singing and are a type of melody unique to Arabic music. “Maqam Nawa” by Safaafir and “Layali (Mawwal)” by Sabah Fakhri follow typical maqams in their instruments and melodies, but “Persepolis’s Mirage” by Anouar Brahem uses a variety of instruments (including oud, piano, drums, and double bass) to create a more surreal sound while still staying true to the idea of maqams.

   Another well-known genre is Arabic pop music, which deviates from religious songs in its inclusion of female singers. Because it is haram, or forbidden according to the rules of Islam, to hear women sing, there are very few, if any, female singers in Islamic songs; however, there are many in non-religious music, like Arabic pop. “Ser Alyhayah” by Aseel Hameem is a love song, a topic similar to many American pop songs, and “Hatramdan Ramadan” is a song about Ramadan by Donia Samir Ghanem, both of which are very well-known songs by popular female Arab artists. One of the most popular artists in Arabic pop is Mohamed Ramadan; his and Super Sako’s song, “Tik Tok,” an extremely catchy tune named after the app, has become popular in America. 

   American hip-hop, in particular, has been greatly influenced by Arabic music. To highlight Arab artists in mainstream music, there are a myriad of American-pop songs created by Arab-American musicians. Faouzia is an up-and-coming Arab-American artist who has had many viral songs, including “RIP, Love,” which won public acclaim for its combination of Arab influence and music with American pop. In her singing, she employs Arabic trills and tonalities, which she grew up listening to. DJ Khaled, or Khaled Mohamed Khaled, is another Arab-American artist who has released numerous famous songs, one of which is “All I Do Is Win.” Formerly performing under the moniker Arab Attack, DJ Khaled credits his initial interest in music to Arabic music, which he listened to growing up.  Throughout his career, he has additionally attributed his success to his faith in Islam. When asked about his Palestinian roots, he said, “I mean just to be able to say that I’m American Palestinian, that’s so beautiful.” Another especially popular Arab-American artist is Shakira, who has been prevalent in American pop music, namely due to her song, “Wherever, Whenever,” which contributed to her rise in popularity. Despite  people best knowing Shakira as a Colombian artist, she emphasizes her Lebanese heritage in her songs through the instruments and by belly dancing in the choreography. For example, in “Ojos Así,” which includes Arabic lyrics, Shakira included the woodwind mijwiz and the doumbek drum, both of which are Arab instruments.

   While all these Arab artists have undoubtedly contributed to American pop culture, Arabic influence on American culture is often overlooked or ignored entirely. It is important to pay respects to everything that has influenced our culture, and that is why April, as Arab-American Heritage Month, is such an important month. 

The 30 Arabian nights: honoring Arabic culture through music

Historically, a woman’s body seems to be discussed in either two ways — its utility or its aesthetic. In Ryan White’s documentary “Pamela, A Love Story” (2023), the Canadian-American actress Pamela Anderson tried to set the record straight, revisiting the tragedies and scandals that made her both misunderstood and underestimated in the entertainment industry.
   The documentary begins 
with Anderson in a plain white robe with little to no makeup, her hair blowing freely in the wind.  After being shown  glimpses of her current life, the viewers are taken back to her childhood home in British Columbia, one distant from the ugliness of pop culture. The peace of mundane life abruptly ended for Anderson after being discovered on a big screen at a Canadian Football League game. Although she doesn’t go into depth about the abuse she endured or her ties to the incarceration of her friend Julian Assange, who was arrested for attempting to hack into a government computer, she doesn’t ignore the heavier topics of her history either. It could be that the topics were too personal for her to unravel in a one-episode documentary, but it also seemed that Anderson didn’t want to deviate from the purpose of this documentary — telling her true story. 
   Her covers in Playboy Magazine first introduced her to the entertainment industry, but she became more well known after starring as a lifeguard in “Baywatch,” a television show about lifeguards who patrol the beach of California. Anderson quickly rose to fame with just a few airs, her audience revisiting each episode for her curvy body and beachy blonde hair. However, as a result of being known for such things, the projects she starred in never gave her any credibility as an artist, and her image mainly revolved around her looks rather than her ability. She continued her career with premieres and films, but the media she put out was very restricted. At the height of her career, her sex tapes with Tommy Lee, a rock musician of a heavy-metal band Motley Crue, were leaked, and her widespread fame became her greatest enemy. Despite the exhausting lawsuits and negotiations for the sex tape, the sexual exploitation continued, and her career disintegrated as she closed herself off from society, never getting a proper chance or platform to reveal her side of the story. 
   It is quite ironic how Anderson was the only person that took accountability for such actions when the viewers were the people that paid for and continued exploiting her image. If it took twenty years and a Netflix documentary for people to finally acknowledge Anderson as human, how long would it take for regular women to be seen as well? It is quite peculiar how little the media in the 1990s actually knew about her other than her celebrity persona, despite the aggressive curiosity of the media and paparazzi. Even though Anderson was very carefree and optimistic in her day-to-day life, it was like people couldn’t separate her personal life and her career, blurring her identity through misogyny and bias. 
   Overall, the documentary was pleasing to watch, mainly because it was shot through Anderson’s eyes. As Anderson watched herself from films in the 1990s, viewers can sympathize with the pain she has for her naive younger self. While there’s nothing wrong with being known for your figure or looks, most of the bitterness that was expressed by Anderson came from the fact that because she was known for such things, her career wasn’t respected. It’s very often we see pop stars or brands rebranding themselves and trying to break out of their old image. However, with such raw footage of her, and most of her appeal coming from one genre, it would have been hard for her to remain relevant, as she would have to erase the Anderson that the public wanted — a carefree, sexy woman. It was fulfilling to watch Anderson relieve her frustrations by using her own words to give herself a piece of justice. Knowing she has been 
speaking up about how disregarded she was by the entertainment industry for years, this documentary reveals her true story — a narrative the public turned a blind eye to for far too long.  

Film(me) fatales: movies about women and by women - Pamela, A Love Story

How did you start playing the saxophone? 
I started playing the saxophone in third grade when I was choosing my instrument for band. I chose the saxophone because my brother played it and I wanted to play music like him. I fell in love with the instrument really after I first got private lessons and was introduced to saxophonists like Kenny Garrett and Charlie Parker, which really were my first influence.

How did being part of the band change your experience with your instrument?
Being part of the band really propelled me into wanting to become better so I could sound better in the band. But what really propelled my musical journey was doing music programs outside of school, [for example] New Jersey Performing Arts Center Jazz for Teens, [which]  I’ve been part of since I was in eighth grade.

Do you play any other instruments besides the saxophone?
I spend a lot of time between my different instruments, because I play saxophone and piano and I’m spending time on my woodwind doubles, clarinet, and flute, and I’m also learning trumpet.

Do you have any artists you look up to?
Some artists I look up to right now are Sarah Hanahan, Eddie Barbash, Gabriel Kahane, and lots more.

How did you feel when you got a full-ride scholarship to Berklee? How did it happen?
The process of getting the full ride from Berklee is really just getting a good audition. I brought a band that thoroughly rehearsed the tune I was playing for the audition, “Straight Street.” I was prepared for every part of my audition, including the sight reading and ear training portions, because I had practiced them before, so I was able to perform well. I was really happy when I got the notification for the scholarship because Berklee was a school I really loved and wanted to go to.

Do you have any advice for students who want to start playing the saxophone, what advice helped you the most as a student? 
The most important advice I can give is simply to spend time with the instrument, because even if you are a musical prodigy or a genius, you won’t get better at the saxophone unless you’re spending lots of time practicing and playing.

Kevin Huang ’23 Discusses the Products of Persistence and Passion

Sky:
	Every year, when the leaves turn yellow and the air turns sweet, my family starts making room in our trunk to start packing for our annual hike. While it may be common, going hiking during fall has been my family’s Thanksgiving tradition ever since I can remember. Out of all the places we’ve set foot in, our favorite reserve is the Mohonk mountain, and the endless photos in our camera roll and albums on our walls prove its merit. Usually, the tradition will start a week before, with a family discussion in our group chat or at the dinner table. Because both my parents work and my brother and I are juniors, it has gotten a little harder over the past years to schedule a time that works for all of us, but we try our best to be considerate of each other. After deciding on the day we’ll go, my dad will start going through each box in our garage and basement, trying to find the right hiking shoes for my mom, small bags we can  carry, hiking sticks, etc. While the drive to the reserve is a bit painful, when you get on the mountain itself, your mind goes blank — almost like someone just emptied your trash. The crisp fall air strikes your nose the more you hike and the heavier you breathe, and your feet start to latch onto the rocks and dirt on the ground. There are some routes on the hike that my family has found to be more interesting, so sometimes we change sides as we go. By the time we get to the top of the mountain, there is a sense of unity and bonding even through the sweat and tiredness, and I always end up sitting on the ground, breathing in and out, trying to catch every glimpse of the fall scenery. The leaves are so small, yet they fill such a big portion of the sky, and every time the breeze shakes them, it looks as though they are dancing. It is not long from then, we start unpacking our bags and enjoying the food we packed that morning. Taking selfies and group photos, we talk about how we think this year went, and hope to come back next year.
	

Avery:
	If I am being completely honest, Thanksgiving has never been my preferred holiday. By this time of year my mind is already shifted to snow, gingerbread cookies, and listening to “Last Christmas” by Wham! on repeat. For me, it was a dinner in which all my aunts and uncles would barrage my brother and I with endless questions, and the only thing on the table I was interested in was the mashed potatoes. 
	Most years, my family alternates celebrating holidays between my mother and my father’s side. This usually means Thanksgiving with my mother’s family in New Jersey, and Christmas with my dad’s family in Virginia. 
However, this year is a special case in which both groups will be gathered at my own house. People of different backgrounds and cultures will be in the same place at the same time. I couldn’t be happier, and I have come to realize that my changed feelings surrounding this year’s Thanksgiving are largely due to the fact that my appreciation for gathering with loved ones has grown. Although things have improved in the last two years, the pandemic put my extended family at a reach that is much greater than just the distance separating us, in that most of our interactions involved FaceTimes and six-feet-apart greetings outside. My brother left for college just this August, leaving me as an only child and the only teenager in the house. 
So as I look forward to November 24, I visualize the warm lights in the living room, faint yet cheerful laughs over the jazz music, a smörgåsbord of pies and cookies spread out across the wooden table, and most importantly, the faces of both sides of my family bonding together when they would have otherwise been in two completely different states. 
Something I will encourage my father to play again is my favorite piece of music traditionally used at fall gatherings: the Charlie Brown theme music by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The subtle yet peppy piano layered into each song always puts me in a fall mood. In terms of dessert (my preferred part of the meal), my aunt always brings pies of extravagant flavors to the table. The bakeries she gets them from are unfamiliar to me yet deserving of a Michelin star. This year there will be flavors such as honey and chocolate chess, both of which already make my mouth water. 
With all this to look forward to, I imagine myself in a painting that seems perfect, a glittering masterpiece that encapsulates the joy of getting to catch up with one another over a special meal. For that, I am lucky to recognize the art my family seems to create on Thanksgiving. 
	
Marina:
	On most days, turkey would be near the bottom of my list of top choices of food to eat since I’ve always thought of it as one of the blandest proteins. But, Thanksgiving is not one of those days.
	My parents and I, having moved to the U.S. from Brazil in 2009, have no historical family tradition or connection to Thanksgiving, which allowed us to create our own reasons to celebrate this day. From the moment we moved here, we have met countless Brazilian families in the area, and though some have moved away and many new ones have arrived, we have always maintained a group that is our found family abroad, the people who we celebrate our “friendsgiving” with.
	Unafraid to stray from classic American food traditions, my parents and the other adults have made many attempts at different Thanksgiving menus. However, after tantrums by five-year-olds over duck instead of turkey and ceviche instead of stuffing, and one year’s somewhat underwhelming suckling pig (though nowadays I would love both options), the turkey somehow remained champion. However, by no means does this mean my dad makes your standard, basic, dry turkey. Every year he has always strived to do better than the last, putting all his energy into a five-day cooking preparation. And without fail, whenever he pulls the 25-pound turkey out from his Big Green Egg barbecue grill, it comes out with a beautifully crisped, caramel-colored skin, and with the most tender meat that will melt off the bone. The turkey is always the star of the show at our dinner, and all 30+ guests marvel throughout the rest of the year, waiting for that Thursday in November when they actually feel like eating turkey.

Sophie:
 Other than the anticipation of finally seeing old friends, eating delicious food, and getting a break, the most wonderful part of Thanksgiving is none other than the feeling of togetherness. It’s the one day designated for us to take time off just to spend time with the people we love. 
Unfortunately, my extended family lives across the world in China, so they don’t get the pleasure of getting this day off. My parents, having no experience with preparing Thanksgiving dinner or the “conventional” traditions of this holiday, started their own by blending our two cultures: American and Chinese. 
For starters, my parents would wake up early in the morning to prepare a meal for all of our family friends, and the aroma of green beans, bok choy, potatoes, beef, and lasagna — a strangely eccentric combo — would fill up our kitchen. As well, instead of the classic turkey, my parents would boil a chicken and soak it in rice wine to bring out its tangy flavor. Friends would start coming by late afternoon, with the adults chattering and relaxing on the couch while children played ping pong and watched whatever was on the TV. 
Aside from my favorite dish, tiramisu, we would end the night with a bit of karaoke. Mostly the adults would start playing around with the machine until they found a pop song or nursery rhymes — all in Chinese — and soon everyone else would be giggling and waiting for their turn to choose a “good” song. Although I am fluent in the language, reading Chinese characters is quite a struggle for me, so I just watch and lay on the couch, marveling at my parents’ annual concert and laughing with everybody. 

Seasonal sentiments: a collection of Thanksgiving traditions

   As leaves begin to fall and pumpkin season begins, the Princeton High School choir, led by director Vincent Metallo and assistant director Sarah Pelletier, opened its Fall Concert on October 21st. As a PHS tradition, the fall concert each year is an operetta - a humorously themed opera with some of the words spoken rather than sung. An operetta is more interactive than a traditional choir concert is, as there is more decoration involved in the set design, and the singers are more accessible to the audience members.  
   The theme of the fall concert changes each year. Last year’s operetta was based on the works of Stephen Sondheim, an American composer and lyricist known for his stage works. This year, the concert theme was Portuguese Fado music. Fado can be traced back 250 years ago, where it was originally considered to be the music of taverns and brothels. Primarily focused on life at sea, the emotion conveyed through its melancholy lyrics made Fado a beloved art form.  
   “Fado is a genre about grief or broken hearts. It’s described as sort of like a wailing, and I think it’s a very beautiful form of song,” said Riya Menon ’23, a singer for PHS Choir. 
   As they prepare for their upcoming trip to Portugal, the choir students learned about their culture and significance through the rehearsals and practices. The choir directors also made sure the students learned about the significance of the show on Portuguese music and tradition. Choir teachers shared a presentation with the students about Fado’s origins, explaining that it was what sailors sang when they missed their homes and families. Not to mention, the choir students had to learn the lyrics along with an entirely new language and the pronunciation of the words.
   “The language barrier was the hardest struggle,” said Ms. Pelletier.
   “It’s more difficult to learn the music because you’re learning the notes as well as another language in such a short amount of time, but I like it because we get to learn something new and it’s cool to learn the pronunciation and sing in another language,” said Rowan Gilmore ’23. 
   Through the help of PHS nurse Margarida Cruz,who is Portuguese, and numerous language lessons, PHS choir students were able to perfect their pronunciation. This performance also gives students an opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture in depth as the process of understanding the language with its nuances is especially time-consuming. 
   “I was excited to learn about a different culture and language, especially since it’s such a beautiful language,” Menon said. 
   “There’s a lot more syncopation in the music and different rhythms than traditional American music,” said PHS Choir student Jenna Stucky ’25.
    Compared to last year’s show, which was outside in a tent, students were excited to get back up on stage and perform on a set. The vibrant set was designed by the PHS tech director Jeffrey van Velsor and 3D Studio Art teacher Bridget Schmidt.  
   “I like to take my 3D curriculum and bring it to life on stage. It’s a very different experience from creating art in the classroom individually, and I really enjoyed it,” shared Ms. Schmidt. 
   The set was made up of colorful clay tiles, often used to decorate Portuguese houses, as well as a beautiful arch doorway.
     “We had to make 146 tiles and we were on a due date, so we ended up staying after school every day, but I like painting and working with clay, and I also liked hanging out with the people while working,” said Isabella Kolleeny ’24, a member of the tech crew.
   The inspiration for the set design that tech director Mr. Van Velsor created was drawn from an underground flamenco bar that he had once visited. He was inspired by the communal nature of the performance, where a group of men would play the guitar as women danced around them on tables. The creativity of the set design was a defining aspect of the performance, and contributed to the excitement that was built up prior to the show. 
   “I’m excited not just for the music, but also for the set up. The students will be in costumes, and we are setting it up so it’s like you’re in a Fado club in Portugal. Just like they would have in a Fado club, we’re also going to have dancers and guitarists, and with a whole set, it’s going to be a whole theatrical production. I wanted to give that experience to the students who were onstage singing and the audience that was watching them,” said Ms. Pelletier.
   The fall concert was done in preparation for the PHS Choir’s upcoming tour to Portugal in February, serving as the first primary source of funds for the trip, soon to be followed by Christmas caroling in December and the choir’s annual flower sale, where beautiful poinsettias and amaryllises will be sold. 
   “Attending [the concert] is a fun way to support PHS Choir and all of the hard work that we put in. I hope this show inspires people to continue attending our performances and supporting us,” said Gilmore.




Portuguese Fado-themed operetta marks first PHS Choir concert of the year

Tuning his saxophone, constant flipping of the music sheets, and nerve wracking performances are only a portion of Kieran Mckenzie’s’22, routine as a saxophonist. McKenzie’22 is one of the few saxophonists in Princeton High School’s top band program and has played abroad in several locations, including Italy. Playing the saxophone not only allows McKenzie to express himself, but also provides him with a sense of liberation. If you have attended band concerts in the past, you may recognize his knack for improvisation. From jam sessions to after-school practices, his dedication never fails to shine on stage.


Q: Why did you choose to play the saxophone?

A: I chose to play the saxophone because of how free it is as an instrument. Many musicians say it’s the closest instrument to the human voice, so you’re able to get many different sounds like no other instrument.


Q: How would you describe Princeton High School’s band program?

A: It is extraordinary. I often forget how great the bands are because of the high standards I seem to put on myself, but when I see the band programs at other schools it just really puts it into perspective, and I realize how amazing the band program at our school is.


Q: What is your favorite memory from band?

A: My favorite memory of being in the band program is not actually on stage as one might suspect. My favorite memory has to be one of the first times at a jam session where a bunch of music students came together during a break just to create music for fun. It leads to such natural and emotional music that you can’t often find with any group of musicians.


Q: If you had not learned to play saxophone, how do you think it would have impacted you today?

A: Oh, I would be such a different person. I wouldn’t have been able to travel to the places I’ve traveled, speak the way I speak, or think the way I think. With so many experiences and lessons, music has definitely shaped who I am as a person.


Q: Have you ever wanted to play a different instrument?

A: Oh yeah, all the time. I wish I would’ve started off playing piano and then switched to saxophone because then I would’ve learned about music theory and chords and multiple voices, which helps later playing a one-voice instrument.


Q: There are numerous saxophonists. What is one way you distinguish yourself?

A: A lot of saxophone players are very serious and sometimes strict, so I like to have as much fun as possible. I’m not afraid to let out a little dance, and I’ve noticed that if you’re into the music, the audience will also be into the music, which, in my opinion, is the most important thing.


Q: Who inspired you to play the saxophone?

A: I was actually inspired to start playing when I listened to an album by Joshua Redman when I was in eighth grade. If I never listened to that album, I would’ve never been into music in the first place.


Q: How much dedication does playing the saxophone require?

A: In the end, it’s all about how good you want to be, but saxophone players tend to be very serious, and it will take an incredible amount of dedication to be seen as “good” in the saxophone community.


Q: What do you want to tell people that are hesitant to join the band?

A: Just do it! At our school, you will be open to not just learning music but having real professional experiences that not many high schoolers can get.

Student Artist Of the Month: Kieran McKenzie

Click. With the press of one button, one is able to capture the moment, your loved one, a beautiful flower, or simply anything that catches your eye. For Yayla Tur ’22, photography isn’t just a form of media, but “ a peace-making art in its own form of therapy.” With more and more media representation, photography is a great way to capture everyday moments that we often overlook. Perhaps it is artists like Tur and other photographers that allow us to wonder, stay informed, and get inspired. Whether they are using their film camera or their phone, Tur  is able to call attention to the beauty surrounding us.



In a society where almost everything is digital, as a photographer, how do you feel about social media where you are faced with so much fast-paced social media? 

I think in a lot of ways, it can be overwhelming because it’s so overstimulating when there’s so much there. But at the same time, I feel like I’ve connected with different artists I would have never met, and found so many small artists and big artists that have become such inspiration for me. So although it can be a lot, it can also be very inspiring and it’s so exciting to see all those works from different perspectives. 
When do you usually take photos? 

I generally just have a camera with me all the time. I enjoy taking photos all the time constantly rather than having set photoshoots. I like to take photos on the go more, showcasing my day-to-day life. And also when I’m with my friends I try to capture the moments as well. 


Do you prefer taking photos on your phone or your camera?

It depends on what I’m going for. When taking film photos, there’s a different quality to it, especially when I’m going for flash photography, which I’ll always use a film camera for. If it’s on my phone, it’s generally more in quick situations. But also, there are different pros and cons to each. And it all depends on what the subject is going to be, and the quality I want.


Is there a specific platform you use to showcase your work? 

I’d say the most is VSCO, just because that’s where I’ve connected with a lot of artists that do digital photography, and collage. It’s a good way to share your art in a less judgmental space in comparison to Instagram, where you can get compiled likes.


What or who do you like to take photos of most? 

I love taking photos of my friends because I love capturing moments that I really enjoy with them. My friends have become very used to it, they know not to pose and just keep doing what they’re doing. I take a lot of photos of my best friend Helenka, or people I spend a lot of time with. So yeah, generally I think I enjoy taking photos of people the most. I also have a mini-series of just lights in houses from the outside at night. There’s something about the way it shines through the window that I think is really cool. 


What do you do after taking the photos?

So usually, I edit them a bit. It sort of depends on what I’m going for. A lot of times, there will be a photo I really like but it seems like there’s something missing. That’s when I start to collage photos, digitally usually, although I also do traditional collage with paper. Or I’ll combine a photo of something I’ve drawn, digitally layering it. But it all depends on the photo.


I know with oil paint or music, it is very easy to go back and forth and fix your work until you are satisfied with your final product. Does it bother you that with photography there is really no “re-capturing” of the moment?  

It depends. Especially with film, you have to be really frugal with it because you only have so many photos on a roll and developing film is expensive. Sometimes I’ll have photos where one thing is just a little too blurry, a little too this or that. There’s some little mess-up, which can be frustrating but in one way that is part of the beauty of photography. You just keep going, and it’s on the go, and you can’t tweak it in the same way you can painting. Although of course with digital collage, you can edit them to a certain degree, there is something nice about just it being how it is, and you can’t fix it. 


As an artist, how are you able to enjoy your work? Do you think there are advantages with photography over typical traditional art?

One thing with photography, especially with film, it’s nostalgic. Of course, you can look back on your memories, especially with film because it can take a while to finish a whole roll. You can start it in the summer and not finish it or develop it until the winter. And half of them, you won’t be able to look back until you get them developed so you’ll forget you took those photos, you’ll see them and you’re transported back to that time. So it’s definitely really nice to capture them, look back, and be reminded of real-life moments. In a way, it is sort of a peace-making art in its own form of therapy.


When taking a photo, what is your motto or motive?

To a certain degree, trying to capture but also trying to stay in the moment. Not becoming too concerned with taking a photo or taking a perfect photo, especially when I’m with my friends I don’t want to be so focused on taking photos of them. I just want to take it off the side, not people posing for it, me not putting too much of my time, and still getting to enjoy the moment itself.

Student Artist of the Month: Yayla Tur ‘22 captures the moment through photography

Joycelyn Brobbey ’22 has a distinct understanding and passion for music. As a singer and performer, Brobbey believes that music is an outlet for artists to truly express themselves, drawing her greatest inspiration from genres like jazz and rock. Like most artists, Brobbey was greatly affected by the pandemic. However, her passion for singing remains as strong as ever, and she continues to devote her time as a member of Around 8, the only gender-inclusive a cappella group at Princeton High School.

Q: If you have any, who is your biggest inspiration? Who do you look up to when you perform or when you practice off stage? 
A: To be completely honest, I don’t have someone who I look up to when I am singing. When I am on stage, either performing by myself or with my peers, I draw inspiration from the audience because it makes me happy to see the audience enjoying the performance.

Q: What are your thoughts and what was your experience like as an artist during your four years? How do you think PHS can improve with regards to diversity and representation? 
A: I think that PHS can improve its arts programs by reaching out to creative Black students who might feel like they don’t have a voice or space to express their creativity. Even though PHS is trying to increase its diversity and representation in the numerous spaces they provide, advocacy is lacking and many students of color find it difficult to reach out and participate. After taking drama my freshman year, I was deterred from involving myself in other musical theater courses in the school primarily because of the underrepresentation. I was not comfortable in a space that was never marketed towards me.

Q: How do you think your singing or music in general impacts people? 
A: I think that music has a very positive impact on people because it allows them to express themselves. It acts as an outlet for many people. Another great thing about music is that whether it is being performed or listened to there are many genres available for people to appreciate.

Q: Are there any specific songs or concerts that you would like to share? Something that you would like to cherish as you graduate PHS? 
A: A concert that will stay with me forever was the gospel concert the choir had during my sophomore year before COVID-19 hit. It was the last concert we had in person. The energy throughout the performance is still very nostalgic. It was exhilarating to see that the audience and the performers were equally enjoying the concert.

Q: Have you ever struggled with singing in general? Was there ever a moment where you wanted to quit or thought you would quit? 
A: During the peak of the pandemic, when we went virtual for the whole year, I found it difficult to love singing because every singing opportunity was virtual and it became a bore. If it was not virtual, we were masked. Fortunately, I did not let that get in the way of my love for singing. Instead, I invested in a microphone and a speaker so that I could do karaoke in my own home.

Q: What is your favorite song or piece you like to sing? It can be a song you sing in the shower or an actual performance piece. 
A: A song I like to sing in the shower is “All I Ask” by Adele.

Q: Why do you think it is important we keep and utilize clubs like Around 8? 
A; I think it is important to keep and utilize clubs like Around 8 simply because they are fun to be a part of. It is something non-academic students can enjoy in a school that has such an overly competitive atmosphere

Q: How did you start singing? Was there a particular event or person that inspired your journey as a singer? 
A: In elementary school, my teacher got me involved in a lot of creative opportunities, and singing happened to be one of them. Ever since, I’ve been involved in my school choirs and singing groups.

Student Artist of the Month: Joycelyn Brobbey ’22 uses her voice to make a difference

From mid-September to mid-November, PHS celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month through various displays created by PHS students, teachers, and professional artists. These ranged from decorated homeroom doors to a vast array of artwork displayed in the Numina Gallery. This gallery has been previously used to present other culture-oriented exhibits, but this month’s purpose was to recognize the impact that Hispanic Americans have made in American history.

Established in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the achievements and contributions of those originating from Hispanic countries while also allowing members of the community to reconnect with their roots.

“[The purpose of] Hispanic Heritage Month is to talk about their experience. What is it like to be an immigrant here in the U.S? What are the dreams … What are the hopes they strive to have? What are their works, what are their contributions?” said PHS Spanish teacher Idania Rodriguez.

While other PHS celebrations, like the assemblies, spotlighted performing arts, students were able to enjoy visual arts at the exhibition in the Numina Gallery. Here, students could view an ofrenda, a traditional altar used on the Day of the Dead, as well as framed artwork, sculptures, and pottery by Hispanic artists.

“As for the Numina Gallery, you can observe so much from art and learn so much from it, no matter where it’s from. I think that art is such an important part in letting people express their feelings,” said Spanish teacher Martha Hayden. Seeing the product of an artist’s imagination creates a very deep emotional connection.

As the largest exhibit in the room, the ofrenda displayed candles, cempasuchil (Mexican marigold), decorative skulls, and photographs of family members, pets, and favorite objects of those who passed. Hayden explained that the three tiers comprising the altar symbolized the underworld, the earth, and the upper heavens, respectively. Contrary to popular belief, the Day of the Dead is actually a happy celebration for remembrance and reverence, not a time for mourning.

The Numina Gallery also embraced the wardrobes of Hispanic people. The mannequins, each wearing different textiles, were representative of unique, traditional Hispanic customs practiced in everyday life. Each textile was put together by the students of PHS art teacher Matthew Pembleton’s gallery club in order to present the different clothings of various Spanish-speaking countries, such as Guatemala, Peru, and El Salvador. The main point of this artwork was to give students a rare opportunity to learn about the history behind cultural traditions, like the standards and values that went in when creating the clothing and the geographical conditions that influenced each textile.

“Where do we come from? Who were our ancestors, and what did they wear?” Rodriguez said.

The beauty of the textiles lies in the process of their production. Instead of belonging to individuals, they were collaboratively stitched together, and everyone offered their personal contributions.

Further contributing to the diversity of the artwork, the walls of the Numina gallery displayed videos of students interviewing immigrants about their stories. The interviewees were asked about their backgrounds, specifically where they moved from, and why they moved to the United States.

“Each group interviewed at least one Spanish-speaking immigrant, and we asked about their cultural backgrounds and history. I think it’s cool that all of them had a different story and were willing to share their stories with us,” said Arunima Suri ’23. “It’s a nice addition to the Numina gallery, and I’m glad other students get to learn about this.”

The diversity of the forms of art in the Numina Gallery allowed PHS students to experience the beauty of Hispanic culture and understand its significance. Sasha Caracalos ’24 believes that an event like this is important not just to honor Hispanic culture but also to remember its history.

“It is critical that Hispanic artists be displayed, as they are primary sources of events not mentioned in most textbooks in the US. Many devastating events that have happened in countries are not displayed on the news and most individuals do not know about the state of these countries,” said Caracalos. “I believe that artists allow othe

PHS’s Numina Gallery showcases the diversity of Hispanic arts



Most drama students would agree that the highlight of theater is getting to perform in front of a live audience. However, as a result of COVID-19, drama students were no longer able to experience the opening night adrenaline rush. In order to adapt to these unexpected circumstances, the PHS drama students attended online classes, performed pre-recorded musicals, and even filmed self-tapes for auditions. Although the school year was far from normal, the drama students made the best of the situation and used their time at home to not only improve upon their acting skills but to also prepare for when performances would eventually start up again.

PHS drama students were not discouraged by the cancellation of in-person performances. Drama teacher Julianna Krawiecki made use of the technology available online and decided to have an at-home production. After auditioning online, students recorded themselves reciting their lines. These videos were then combined to create one cohesive musical. PHS students agreed that an online production had both its advantages and disadvantages.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s definitely nice being able to have your sheet music and lines out while performing as a little bit of a safety net, but there’s nothing like live theater and an audience to perform for,” said Hannah Bobchin ’21.

Many PHS drama students shared the same view. Although at-home productions brought about some benefits, such as not needing to stress about memorizing lines, these virtual performances didn’t have the same excitement as the live performances of a typical year.

“In a few ways, yes, it was easier to perform from our homes, by having easy access to scripts and by being able to control your environment,” said Matty Baglio ‘23. “However, in a lot of ways it sucked. Spectacle theatre is all about coming together and performing, and that was hard to achieve over Zoom.”

One of the more difficult challenges of at-home acting was the lack of interaction between fellow actors. PHS actors have found it hard to portray a character effectively if they are not able to interact with other characters in person. 

"One of the other big challenges as an actor in doing the production from home was that there were no other actors on stage with you to play off of. When there is no one to react to, it makes telling the story a lot harder!” said Sedona Raphael ’24. “While I appreciated the gift of ‘slowed-down time’ during the pandemic to work on my craft, I have definitely missed live theater — the friendships that you make during shows and that adrenaline rush you get when you enter an audition room for a callback.”

Out of all the aspects of in-person theater, students agreed that they missed the live performances the most.

“Hands down, what I miss most about live theatre is the audience’s energy. Performing for a live audience is almost like a supply and demand kind of thing,” Bobchin said. “It’s almost like you’re feeding off of their energy and vice versa.”

After a long year of online learning, students are ready to get back into their regular year routines, following COVID-19 regulations. Krawiecki shares some of her plans for the new school year and whether or not the pandemic has affected any of these upcoming plans.

"So I still have plans that all of my classes will have production. That is typical of the drama program right now. We just don’t know what the timeline is because of everything else going on with the COVID-19 restrictions. I do plan on kind of going back to the way that we used to run the class, where it was more interactive in exercises and activities that we can do still distanced,” Krawiecki said. “My goal is to let my students collaborate together, build our community, build their performance skills and experience diverse repertoire throughout the year. And we still do hope to have all of our productions. The timeline is just unknown right now.” Krawiecki is grateful for the opportunity to conduct more in-person activities that the online schedule prevented. She understands the restrictions of the pandemic such as social distancing and wearing a muffling mask, but she plans on working around these challenges to pull off great productions once again. With classes being in person, students now have the chance to connect with their classmates and truly experiencing the opening night excitement once again. But whether online or in-person the students at PHS are grateful for the opportunity to experience the true theater.

Reflecting on online performances, drama students prep for in person


All displayed photos are provided by Elias Gitterman

Theater is much more than just memorizing a script. For Elias Gitterman ’21, it’s a transformative experience, starting with the nerve-wracking auditions all the way to production day. After participating in musicals throughout middle school, Gitterman continued his acting journey in PHS by starring in drama department productions including “Theory of Relativity” and “Clue.” This year, he is excited to play Gomez Addams in PHS’ very own production of “The Addams Family.” Gitterman demonstrates his versatility as a student actor by taking on roles of all types of genres including comedy, mystery, and romance. When embodying a character, he emphasizes the importance of being original on stage. With his distinctive understanding of theater and his love for all roles, Gitterman looks forward to many more amazing on-stage experiences in the future, as he plans to attend New York University this fall. 

What influenced your interest in acting?

The first show I ever did was in fourth grade, and it was a Shakespeare play called “A Midsummer Night's Dream.” That sort of instilled in me a love of being on stage and having the attention of the audience. Then when I got to middle school, I just started auditioning for plays and taking drama classes; I auditioned for the musical when I was in eighth grade. I would also see plays and musicals, specifically on Broadway. By the time I got to high school, I very much considered myself an actor.

Is this your first time starring in a PHS musical production? If not, can you give an overview of past experiences? 

Yes, this is my first time having a leading role in the musical at PHS. I was in a musical last year called “Theory of Relativity.” That was an ensemble show that was just a series of individual musical numbers: some pieces were solos, some were duos, and others were large ensemble pieces. That was a big moment for me, getting to be in that show. There was a lot of emotion, and overall it was very deep and touching to a lot of people. My favorite role I’ve ever played was probably Mr. Green in “Clue,” because it was so much fun to play. I got to live out a lot of my theater dreams by playing a secret FBI agent; getting to play that character was such an over the top, ridiculous situation. And being able to play those characters in those types of scenes is fun. After this tremendous experience, I auditioned for Addams Family this year and got the role of Gomez. I’m just so happy to have the role. 

Can you guide us through the overall process of a production, starting with auditions?

The first thing you do is go to the informational meeting, where you learn what the show is about and you get your audition materials. Once you have your audition materials, you have to practice memorizing your lines and start thinking about which characters you might want to be cast as. Then you go to the audition, which can be nerve-wracking because there’s lots of new people.

You start to gauge what the production, in a broader sense, is going to look like. Every actor will also tell you that the audition goes by very quickly, you’re walking out of the audition room, and you’re thinking “wait, did that just happen?” But if you’ve practiced enough, it becomes second nature, and then you don't need to focus too much. So that’s the audition, but callbacks can be equally nerve wracking. Sometimes, directors and auditors will put you in a scene where they know that you’re going to flub your lines just to see how you roll with it. Actually, that is a great way for the people in the audition room to get to know you as a person and an actor. It does require a lot of devotion, but once you’re in production, you’re performing, and you never get tired of it. It’s always fun and so exciting to walk out on stage and be in a scene.

Auditions for musicals can get competitive. How do you feel about the environment of the musical industry? 

Whenever there’s some sort of aspect of performance, whether it’s instrumental or athletic, there’s always a lot of pressure following it, which can lead to a high pressure environment. There can be competitiveness when you're involved in a theatrical production. Though, in every show that I’ve been in, the environment has been very welcoming and positive. There’s always an understanding that there’s a level of pressure and weight that come with that. You’re doing something that’s important and you want to do it well. The theater community almost always is super supportive, which helps take some of the weight off of your shoulders when putting together such a large production.

Do you ever feel yourself getting personally attached to your role, or even becoming somewhat like the role you play?

I definitely bring a lot of myself in my roles, and I’m never the same person coming out of a show as I am going into it. It’s always a transformative experience, but outside of rehearsal I don’t really become my character. Like I said before, it’s fun to watch your characters come to life and bring them to the stage in a way that’s original and effective. You come to love your role, and you make the most of it no matter how many scenes you’re in or how big of a role it is. This is something that you'll definitely hear a lot as an actor, but bigger roles do not always mean better roles. It’s natural for different roles to have varying amounts of stage time and types of preparation. For the supporting and leading roles, your character is already written out. The type of character that you’re supposed to play already exists. However, as an ensemble member, you often get to create your own character, but at the same time, I always say that aspect of inventing is very important, no matter what role you get. You always have to bring something original to your role. To circle back around to your question, I’ve never gotten attached to my roles, but very often I find the characters that I’m playing are somewhat similar to me.

Gomez Addams is known for his extraordinary love for Morticia. When acting, is it ever difficult to portray feelings like love?

With something as complex as showing love, regret, or contempt, abstract emotions are obviously more difficult to convey because they have to come from an authentic place. A very common technique that's used by actors is emotional recall, and it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. If you’re trying to convey an emotion, just think of a time in your life when you experienced that emotion, try to reflect on that in your brain, and recreate it through acting. Portraying an emotion like love can be difficult because people interpret love in lots of different ways, and there are many different types of love. It’s not always easy to be an effective actor. Something that I live by is that good acting is when the audience feels whatever the actor is trying to portray. That may seem obvious, but if there's a disconnect between what you’re trying to create and how the audience is perceiving it that means you are doing something wrong. I know I’ve stressed this so many times, but it’s something that I live by, and that’s being original with your role. You have to create something that’s never been seen before. So once again, to revisit your original question, portraying love can be challenging, but if you do it right, it can be very compelling and very moving. 

Any advice for students beginning in theater?

My advice would be that you have to form a community by getting to know the other people in your class because you are going to stick with them, and they're going to be people who sustain you. Once you do a show with them, you get to know them really well. You form this really strong bond that is so important to being not only a high schooler but also an actor. Shows should be fun, and they shouldn’t be too much work. You definitely have to work hard as an actor and have to put in those hours. You have to really be able to invent in a way that's honest, effective, and self sustaining. You need to be the type of actor who enjoys the work.

Sky Jo's Work

The Tower