By Debbie Adams
Music teacher Susan Lewis promised the crowd that they were “in for a real treat” at the Vinton Fall Festival on October 3 – and they were. Nine of her students performed on the Municipal Stage, ranging in age from young elementary school to adult. Lewis encouraged the audience to clap along with the music and cheer each performer as they presented a variety of musical styles.
“I am incredibly proud and pleased with all nine of my students’ performances today!” Lewis said. “My only regret is that I could not invite all 40 of them to participate!
“It was so refreshing for at least some of my students to finally have the opportunity to perform ‘live’ since all of the COVID restrictions began,” she added. “Their Spring Recital Videography had to be recorded only and posted virtually on my YouTube Channel. Their last ‘live’ performance opportunities included the Bland Music Scholarship Competition in March and the 2019 Christmas Performance.”
Lewis noted accommodations that had to be made at Fall Festival due to COVID-19 guidelines from the CDC. Performers were required to use disposable microphone covers to protect themselves and the other performers; vocalist performances were scheduled five minutes apart and on the stage at a distance from spectators.
Performers included:
- Nolan Ferguson, age 8 and a student at Colonial Elementary, who sang “America the Beautiful”
- Ryleigh Woolwine, age 8, who performed “Remember” by Lauren Daigle
- Latriva Pierce, age 17 and a sophomore at William Byrd High School, who sang “Home” from “Beetlejuice the Musical”
- Paul Sealey, age 14 and a freshman at Hidden Valley High School, who performed “Good People” by Jack Johnson
- Simon Sealey, age 16 and a junior at Hidden Valley High School who sang “Death of a Bachelor” by Brendon Urie
- Abby Shelton, age 18 and a homeschooled senior, who performed “Think of Me” from “Phantom of the Opera”
- Kelly Ronan, the adult student in the group, who has been taking voice lessons for about a year, sang “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman”
- Madison Saunders, a college student at Virginia Western studying nursing, who performed “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles
- Tes Smith, a college student at Virginia Western who performed “Show Yourself” from “Frozen 2” and “Mama Knows Best” by Jesse J
“My piano and voice students are beginning preparation of their 2020 Christmas pieces, which we all pray will be able to be held live!” Lewis said.
Lewis has been teaching piano and voice in the Vinton area for about 30 years. More information about lessons is available by calling or texting Lewis at 890-3400. You can also find the Susan Lewis Music Studio on Facebook and YouTube.
