After a visual art video presentation by Khiêm Nguyen ’24 and a welcome address from Head of School Dr. Jennifer L. Zaccara, emcee hosts Delaney Cox ’24 and Ruby Besson ’25 took to the stage to kick off performances. Theater technicians included Declan Ginty ’25 and Owen Willgos ’24 on stage and light prep, Dane Mulverhill ’24 on soundboard, and Theater Arts Director Jonathan Barron ’96 on lighting design and light board.

This year Ana Hernandez-Merkle ’25, Morgan Studin ’25, Caitlin Masure ’25, Sydney Palmiotto ’24, Catherine Min ’27, Suki Lambert ’25, and Asper Donath ’26 comprised the chamber ensemble. Led by Performing Arts Chair Steve Cady, together they played a traditional round, the “Tetris” theme by Hirokazu Tanaka, and the “Largo” from Antonin Dvorak’s New World Symphony.

Sofia Bianconi ’24 sang and played ABBA’s “Slipping Through My Fingers” on the ukulele. 

Zoe Jacobs ’24 also performed a solo, singing an original song while playing the piano.

Another soloist was Luke Pennell ’26 on the piano with a couple of original compositions. 

The vocal ensemble, arranged by Ms. Ashley Storrow, our vocal instructor, performed the traditional spiritual hymn “There’s a River Flowing Through My Soul”, “We Shall Be Known” by MaMuse, and “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone. This ensemble included Raymond Feng ’25, Casey Rhodes ’27, Caitlin Masure ’25, Maya Sbardellati ’25, Sofia Bianconi ’24, and Sydney Shaw ’25. 

The jazz ensemble played “Land of 1,000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett, “The St. James Infirmary Blues” by Cab Calloway, and “Cantaloupe Island” by Herbie Hancock, arranged by Mr. Cady. Members of the jazz ensemble included Luke Pennell ’26, Oliver Walsh-Fischetti ’25, Oliver Norkun ’26, Charlie Hodgson ’25, Sydney Palmiotto ’24, Eric Chen ’27, Morgan Studin ’25, Sofia Bianconi ’24, Caitlin Masure ’25, Mason Evans ’26, Hale Hurwitz ’27, Aly Lantz ’25, and Ana Hernandez-Merkle ’25.

The jazz, chamber, and vocal ensembles joined forces for a dazzling rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. 

For the finale, the combined ensembles performed a thrilling rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, conducted by Mr. Cady. The number was a nod to the Cabaret taking place on Friday the 13th in October, the month of Halloween.

Vermont Academy recognizes Dr. Jennifer Zaccara, Brian Gilloran, Lee Darcy, Jeff Gaudet, Mike Boudreau, AMT Productions, VA Faculty, Maintenance and Housekeeping, Bryce Boyd-Tucker ’24 of the Chamber and Jazz Ensembles who was unfortunately unable to attend, and families and friends of VA for their help in supporting another fantastic Cabaret.