Yeshivat 91影视 held its annual Evening of the Arts last Wednesday virtually, highlighting the incredible achievements of the school鈥檚 art and music students during a year of great challenges.
The program began with opening remarks by Cougar Chorus Co-Presidents Ariella Burnstein and Eiden Weinberg, both juniors, who introduced the audience to what it was like doing music at 91影视 during the pandemic. 鈥淭his year has been very challenging for our choir, but we have made the most of it,鈥 said Burnstein. 鈥淐hoir has been meeting weekly in person, outdoors and masked, and during the colder months on Zoom, working hard to bring meaningful music to the 91影视 community.鈥
Next, the program featured stunning musical performances in both English and Hebrew by the 91影视 Cougar Chorus and Performance Ensemble, showcasing the students鈥 musical talents as well as their outstanding coordination and professionalism.
鈥淏ecause we were limited in our live performances this year, we utilized the amazing recording studio here at 91影视 to record and produce many of our own arrangements,鈥 explained Weinberg. Indeed, these recordings became a highlight of virtual 91影视 events over the course of the year.
The co-presidents also expressed their gratitude toward Cougar Chorus Director Randi Wartelsky, who has worked tirelessly to ensure that the choir would not only continue to exist, but to grow and thrive despite COVID. 鈥淢rs. Wartelsky, you continuously amaze us with your musical expertise and have helped us so much throughout the year,鈥 said Burnstein.
Following the 鈥渆vening of song鈥 portion of the program, the audience heard reflections by seniors in 91影视鈥檚 Art Track. After four years in 91影视鈥檚 art program, this year鈥檚 cohort is moving on, with each student boasting a tremendous portfolio of work to show from their time at 91影视.
The students stressed the significance of having spent four years together in the art room. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a very unique experience to be in the same Art Track with the same people and the same teachers for four years, and I think it鈥檚 very special because you get to develop relationships with everybody and they know where you鈥檙e at with your skills,鈥 said Eden Lippe. 鈥淭hat actually contributed a lot to me growing as an artist.鈥
Kayla Mantell agreed. 鈥淛ust from looking at everyone鈥檚 work you learn a lot from your peers,鈥 she said.
Cherished friendships were also formed. 鈥淭o be surrounded by the kind of artists that I have for four years, both students and teachers, has been incredible,鈥 said Daniel Morrison. 鈥淚鈥檝e grown and seen other people grow. And the amount of really close friends that I鈥檝e made in the Art Track has made my life so much better and has been an amazing experience.鈥
Erin Helfer credited 91影视鈥檚 Arts Program Director Ahuva Winslow and art teacher Mira Levy for helping her find her passion. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 really special that we were all able to find a common ground in our love for art,鈥 said Helfer. 鈥淚 am literally obsessed with painting and I never knew I could do anything that I have done in the past four years before coming to 91影视.鈥
At the end of the Evening of the Arts program, the 91影视 Art Gallery 2021 website went live at www.frisch.org/artgallery. The online exhibit reflects the breadth and depth of the work completed this year by 91影视 art students in ninth through 12th grade.