Soo Theatre wished its high school seniors a heartfelt fair well at the Graduating Senior Recital this past Monday evening, drawing a crowd of more than 200 people.
"It was just so beautiful and nice to see the seniors grow up in the theatre to where they are now," Soo Theatre Project Board President Colleen Arbic said. "They have just developed incredible talent through the years."
Olivia Martin, Gerrit Mulder, Theresa Carey, Miranda Allen, Malia Lefebre, Morgan Brow, and Brianna Petersen each grew up within the theatre’s walls.
“Some of these kids started as five-year-old summer campers,” Violin/Viola/Piano Instructor Dottie Case said, tearfully. “I have watched them turn into leaders and high quality musicians. Unlike other jobs, you spend so many years with these students that you become part of their lives. Some of them, we will never see again.”
In the midst of sad goodbyes, Case and other Soo Theatre instructors wished their 2023 graduating class all the best the world has to offer. For a couple of these students, performance art and music will continue to define their world.
“If I did not have music… I simply would not live,” Martin said, a senior at Sault Area High School. “Music is my entire life and personality. Who needs a social life when you have music? I spend many, many hours a week at the theatre involved in lessons and productions.”
Prior to attending Lawrence University in the fall, where she has received scholarships to study music, Martin will be taking advantage of a scholarship to perform with Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Manistee National Forest.
“I am going to double major at Lawrence University in music education and performance oboe,” Martin said. “I plan to minor in either math or chemistry."
First, she will spend the summer touring France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands with Blue Lake International's Symphony Band.
Martin began taking piano lessons under the direction of Betty Struble and voice lessons from former Lake Superior State University (LSSU) Adjunct Professor of Music, Soo Opera Director Karen Beacom seven years ago. Over the years, she has dabbled in guitar, trumpet, mellophone, french horn, and percussion.
Martin has been involved in Soo Theatre productions of The Little Mermaid Jr., The Wizard of Oz, The Lion King Jr., Aladdin Jr., Willy Wonka Jr., Alice in Wonderland Jr., The Magic Flute, Hansel and Gretel, All Together Now, Villains and Princesses on stage, and Marriage of Figaro. Martin has also performed in the second pit orchestra production of Marriage of Figaro, Pirates of Penzance, and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.
In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, camping, skiing, and working on puzzles with her mom, Julie Martin. That is not the end of the list. Mrs. Martin was sure to note that her daughter is also a fantastic swimmer and diver. In fact, Martin will dive for Lawrence’s NCAA Division III Team when she is not studying and/or performing music.
Although Martin does not plan on staying in Sault Ste. Marie, she spoke highly of the musical foundation Soo Theatre has provided.
"The community around us is very supportive of the fine arts," Martin said. "We have a lot of opportunities and programs here. That has a lot to do with this community and its love for music."
According to Soo Theatre Project, Gerrit Mulder has been playing guitar, bass guitar, and saxophone for four years. He just recently started taking vocal lessons with Beacom. Gerrit loves using music as an outlet for self-expression Some of his hobbies include filmmaking, woodworking, and record collecting. Gerrit will graduate from Pickford Public Schools. He hopes to become an electrician and business owner.
Theresa Carey has studied violin under Case for six years. She especially loves playing in Soo Theatre orchestras. Much of her spare time is spent reading and playing soccer. Carey will graduate from Sault Area High School this May and head down to Eastern Michigan University, where she plans on studying exercise science.
Miranda Allen is a singer and fourth-year student of vocal instruction under Beacom. Some of her more notable Soo Theatre roles were Liesl in The Sound of Music, Iago in Aladdin Jr., Middle Anna in Frozen Jr., Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, and Miss Honey in Matilda Jr. Allen has also directed and choreographed for several Soo Theater shows. Allen attends Rudyard High School and is valedictorian of her class. Allen will attend LSSU, where she will pursue a degree in secondary teaching. Allen's ultimate goal is to earn a degree in vocal performance.
Malia Lefebre is a third-year student of voice with Beacom. Lefebre has been performed in Aladdin, My Fair Lady, Madame Butterfly, Alice in Wonderland Jr, The Sound of Music, The Pirates of Penzance, All Together Now, The Marriage of Figaro, Les Fées de la Nuít, and The Magic Flute. Lefebre is also a creative artist. She is a student at Sault Area High School, going on to attend LSSU. Eventually, Lefebre would like to pursue a music degree as well.
Morgan Brow has been a part of Soo Theatre for more than eight years. She participated in a school orchestra in fourth grade, moving her to learn stringed instruments. Brow eventually transitioned to cello under the instruction of Maggie Twining. She has performed as the principal cellist in the advanced youth orchestra over a period of three years. She has also participated in the EUP Festival of Music. Brow will attend Alma College this fall to pursue a pre-veterinarian degree with plans of becoming a doctor of veterinary medicine.
Last but certainly not least, Brianna Petersen plays the violin and piano. Petersen is this year's Maplewood Baptist Academy co-valedictorian. She started taking piano lessons at just six years old. Petersen has taken violin and piano lessons with Case at Soo Theater for the past five years. She has performed in multiple Soo Theatre shows, recitals, and orchestras, including the Eastern Upper Peninsula Festival of Music. Petersen especially enjoys playing music at church. Upon high school graduation, she will attend LSSU to pursue a degree in early childhood education. Unlike some of the others, Petersen will stick around to play in future Soo Theatre Orchestras.
Find Soo Theatre Project, Inc. on Facebook, here, to read the biographies of these seven 2023 high school graduates in more in-depth.
