Grade 12 Students Shine on Stage at Music Lunch Hour
By Anton Drozdovskiy
Edited by Leni Wascher
Zoya Gorokhova, Grade 12
On September 18th, Grade 12 DP music students took centre stage during the Music Lunch Hour in Music Room 190. This special event provided an opportunity for the students to showcase their hard work and passion, while also recording their projects for their DP Music portfolios.
The performances featured a range of solo and duet acts, spanning various musical genres and styles. Solo performances included Kaina Takamatsu’s singing, Jacob Simon on a marimba, and Damian Xu on an acoustic guitar. The duet performances added another harmonious layer to the event, such as Téti and Basile Husseini’s beautifully crafted flute and acoustic guitar performance, and T. Peereboom’s and Raphael Gatti’s acoustic guitar and vocal duo.
One of the afternoon’s most captivating performances came from Zoya Gorokhova, who delivered a stunning rendition of La Vie en Rose.
"I’ve loved La Vie en Rose since I was a kid—my grandmother and mother used to sing it. The lyrics speak of love in its most pure, selfless form, and after learning French, the depth of the words inspired me even more."
When asked about her feelings before the performance, she admitted: "I’m always nervous, but this time was especially intense. The song evokes a lot of emotion for me, and I really wanted to pour myself into it."
Zoya also revealed that she’s working on an upcoming duet with Kaina Takamatsu, where they will perform No Time to Die by Billie Eilish. She hinted at even more exciting projects on the way, including songs of protest for her DP portfolio.
Jacob Simon's marimba performance added a form of rhythm to the afternoon, drawing the audience's attention to his technical mastery. Téti and Basile Husseini's flute and acoustic guitar duet showcased harmony, and T Peereboom and Raphael Gatti's acoustic guitar and vocal performance kept the audience engaged. Kaina Takamatsu delivered a heartfelt vocal performance of On My Way by Alan Walker, her voice blending beautifully with the piano accompaniment. Damian Xu’s acoustic guitar performance captivated the audience with a smooth, soulful rendition of Burn My Dread by Shoji Meguro, which demonstrated his technical skill and the piece's emotional depth.
Throughout the event, the audience which was made up of students, teachers, and staff was fully engaged and supportive, responding with enthusiastic applause after each act. The energy in the room was noticeable, with listeners invested in the performances. It was a heartwarming display of community spirit. The event highlighted the strength of ISA’s musical and creative community, showcasing the students’ talent and hard work. However, evets like this need more attention to ensure they receive the recognition and support they deserve, helping to keep the arts thriving and inspiring creativity in our school.
