This past Saturday, a smorgasbord of movie themes, ragtime, Broadway songs, video game music, jazz tunes and even an original composition, filled the Cuyamaca College Theatre. This was due to the Annual Popular Music Festival which featured students of various levels in three recitals. Aside from pianists, there were budding jazz singers as well as a violinist making this event even more special. Congratulations to all participating students who shared their music with us, and a big thank-you to all the teachers, families and friends who braved the rain to come and support these young performers.
Judges Yuko Maruyama and Steve Baker wrote comments and suggestions which will be sent by email to the students’ teachers. The students were rewarded with individual certificates and a medal at the end of each recital.
Event co-chairs Chutaphin Yeager and Miriam Cole, along with Yuko Maruyama would like to extend their gratitude to the teachers who helped out: Irina Bessanova, Lea Schmidt-Rogers and Anna Savvas. Your help was very valuable.
The 2024 Popular Music Festival Participating Studios were: Irina Bessonova, Jim Guerin, Vanessa Lee, Yu Carole Liu, Floyd Lo, Yuko Maruyama, Carol Ong-Chen, Anna Savvas, Lea Schmidt-Rogers, Anna Stal, Chetan Tierra, and Mei Yin
We hope to see you all again next year!
