PAC Coffeehouse Showcases Student Talent

The DHS Fine and Performing Arts Awards ceremony on May 26th concluded with the Performing Arts Company's annual Coffeehouse Talent Show.

The event was set in the high school lobby just outside the auditorium. The relatively simple setup included a raised platform and a spotlight. However, the lack of extremities left the performers shine.

Mr. Wurman, Director of Fine and Performing Arts, welcomed the audience, and explained that all donations would be put towards supporting the PAC at DHS. Mr. Wurman promised a night of talented performers, and this promise was made good throughout the evening.

Senior Hilen Miralda kicked off the sow with a passionate performance of 100 Days, 100 Nights by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Miralda’s powerful voice and ease performing set a strong tone for the rest of the night to follow.

Most perfromers sang, with a couple of exceptions. Nonetheless, no performance was alike, even among the singers. Songs ranged from show tunes to pop to techno. Aside from the songs themself, the voices were very different and offered a nice contrast from each other.

Chairs that had been set up were filled with audience members and performers alike, but behind were even more supporters standing. The crowd remained active the entire time- claps would puncture performances when singers reached a particularly high note and were heard at the end of every song. The emcee for the night, Barbara Monahan, followed up each performance with a slick comment relative to each act.

The sole pianist of the night, Amanda Ferhani, had a memorable performance. Ferhani got the crowd going by playing Despacito by Luis Fonsi and following it up with the ever-popular My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion. Both songs were instantly recognizable and well received.

A performance that can’t go without mention was Kat Uhrman’s cover of All I Ask by Adele. Uhrman’s cover was absolutely stunning. Her voice complimented the song’s style very well, and her ability to hold the notes for prolonged periods was mesmerizing.

Following Kat Uhrman was a unique performance. Peter Tittler played an original techno song he had made. The song had a very catchy beat, which Tittler accompanied with expressive dancing.

Another standout performance was by Brendan Greeley, who performed Jack’s Lament from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Greeley completely sold his role with his Jack Skellinton costume, expressions, and changes in sound volume.

To close out the night, Kat Uhrman and Maddie Aucoin performed a duet. Aucoin had earlier performed “15” by Taylor Swift. Their voices blended nicely together and ended a truly impressive night on a high note.