Well, the school had its Arts Festival yesterday, and it was amazing to see the talent so many of our students have. Not just your usual skits at the talent show–we have some serious composers, musicians, singers… One student, for example, played original piano compositions that were astounding. I was in back when another started singing “The Heart Must Go On,” and I swore that I was listening to a recording of Celine Dion. Paintings by some of the students I honestly mistook for art that the live house had purchased, and there was a fantastic brass section that performed “In the Mood.” Seven students made up a punk rock band, playing a popular Japanese song called “Train, Train” that had many of the students in the audience acting like groupies at a concert. And one of my former students, who I knew was talented, surprised me in showing an array of talents I never expected, from keyboard artist to trumpeter to half a dozen other talents.

Even a few teachers took the stage, including one that recited comic poetry and sang a great a cappella piece, and another who played solo electric guitar and composed a hilarious blues piece based on his classes. And my own contribution–a 17-minute video I edited from footage some students and I shot–went over very well, starting off the show.

Find below some photos of a few of the acts with the audience.