Vermont Academy Entertains Parents and Students with a Cabaret

Vermont Academy Students and staff recently joined together at the Nita Choukas Theater to entertain families and friends. The Fall Cabaret has become a favorite part of Fall Family Weekend, and this year’s performances were exceptional.

Members of the Vermont Academy Chamber Music Ensemble started off the show. Performing Arts Chair Mr. Steve Cady joined Sarah Annis ‘20 on violin and Ruihan Li ’21 on piano to perform a Bach Chorale and an Italian Madrigal.

The chamber ensemble was followed by members of the Vermont Academy Vocal Ensemble, led by Ms. Ashley Storrow, director. They performed the traditional melody “Bakesh Shalom” before being joined onstage by Ms. Maryann McArdle, Associate Director of College Counseling, on piano for a rendition of “Ain't No Mountain High Enough.” Members of the vocal ensemble include Mia Hennum ‘22, Jenna Powers ‘22, Annie Moore ‘21, Siyang Wang ‘20, Peter Zhao ‘20, Alden Ormont ‘23, Daniel Gorshkov ‘20, Eliza Asante '22, Corey Dunn ‘20, and Logan McAllister ‘20.

Mia Hennum ‘22 then took the stage for a solo performance of "Taylor the Latte Boy," a musical theater/pop song by Kristen Chenoweth. She was followed by Daniel Gorshkov ‘20, who performed "Norweigan Wood" by John Lennon, self-accompanied on guitar. Jenna Powers ’22 completed the trio of solo performances with "66559,” a heart-breaking original lyric and melody, self-accompanied on ukulele.

Members of the Vermont Academy Jazz Ensemble brought the evening to a close with rousing performances of Henry Mancini’s “Peter Gunn Theme”, Miles Davis’ “Freddie the Freeloader,” Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds, and Wilson Picket’s “Land of 1,000 Dances.” Members of the jazz ensemble include Shane Xiong ‘21, Cedar Jones ‘20, Thomas Kim ‘21, Samson Orlinsky ‘21, Eva Wu ‘21, Ruihan Li ‘21, Olivia Wang ‘21, Maurice Day ‘21, and Sarah Annis ‘20. Mr. William Norton, science faculty and head coach of Wilderness Skills, accompanied the ensemble on saxophone.