With bright lights and an eager audience, Santa Barbara’s Young Soloists had the privilege of performing at The Granada Theater on May 8.
Out of the nine performers, two Laguna students, junior Daria Etezadi and sophomore Andrew Horak, displayed their talents on the Granada’s majestic stage.
The Young Soloists Showcase Committee selects the most talented classical instrumentalists in the Santa Barbara area.
It is quite a prestigious honor and also a large commitment.
Daria received her piece, “The Warsaw Concerto” by Richard Addinsell, last summer and she practiced it through early April.
All 11 years of her classical piano training and the support of her current instructor Lana Bodnar allowed her to maintain an “in-depth” practice schedule.
“Young Soloists forced me to step outside of my own interpretation of the music I was given and to figure out how it can be coordinated with a larger group of musicians,” Daria said.
As for emotional support, Daria credits her mother. “She has been the one who has to deal with me practicing and eventually slamming the piano lid shut when I get really frustrated,” Daria said.
Andrew, who has also been playing for 11 years, had been rehearsing his piece, “Concert #2 in D Minor” by Max Bruch, since September.
His instructor Nina Bodnar aided him in sustaining a rigorous practice regimen had him “working several hours a day.”
At the end of his experience, Andrew gained the insight that all of the hours of practice “on one single thing has taught me to work hard, and it will turn out well.”
Several faculty members were at the Granada to support their students, including Laguna’s Music Instructor Ms. Laura Geier and English and Personal Development Instructor Ms. Bojana Hill.
Ms. Geier thought the choice of piece for Daria was representative OF Daria because the piece is “very passionate and moving.”
As for Andrew, Ms. Geier describes his piece as “very commanding and lyrical at the same time.”
As for Ms. Hill, she was impressed “both by the professional and expert piano and violin playing, as well as [the players’] demeanor and maturity.”
Having taught both Daria and Andrew, she said, “I felt like a proud mother, watching my children and…was moved to tears both times.”