Singing lessons

Marisa O’Neil

If they went to the same school, they might not ever speak to each

other. They might even be sworn enemies.

But at the Summer at the Center program, through the Orange County

Performing Arts Center, 38 troubled teens are learning acceptance,

teamwork and responsibility. And, as corny as it sounds, they’re

doing it with a song and dance.

“What really surprised me is everyone here,” said 17-year-old

Costa Mesa resident Trevor Selby. “Lots have been to jail. A lot are

in jail. A lot have drug problems. And we’re all here, singing and

dancing.”

The two-week program prepares students, most with no performing

experience, for shows in front of an audience on the center’s stage,

the last of which was held Saturday. They rehearsed five hours a day

and learned to read music, sing and follow choreography.

And at the same time, they’re learning about themselves and each

other.

“Some kids say the biggest thing they’re surprised by is the

kindness here,” said Jason Holland, manager for the center’s

educational programs. “People say they have to act tougher at school.

Here, they’re hugging each other and high-fiving each other and

applauding each other, just for trying.”

A colorful performance

At rehearsals last month, students in baggy jeans danced alongside

others with piercings or brightly-dyed hair and others with clean-cut

looks. As they ran through a medley of Beatles songs, not every voice

was perfect, not every step in time.

But everybody tried and everybody wore a smile.

“Everyone gets along,” 16-year-old Costa Mesa resident Maria

Pedroza said. “Everyone’s into it. Nobody has a bad attitude.”

Along with the musical training, artistic director Bill Brawley

sneaks in lessons about self-confidence, job interviews and everyday

situations.

“I think that’s more important than singing and dancing,” Brawley

said. “Singing and dancing is just the vehicle to everything else.”

All the students taking part in the two-week program had problems

that brought them to juvenile hall or the county’s Alternative

Education Options for Youth and Adults in Orange County program,

which redirects students who are kicked out of their own schools.

Some broke the law. Some are in gangs. Some got behind in their

schoolwork. Others just didn’t thrive in a traditional, high school

environment.

After an interview process -- not an audition -- the top

candidates were selected, Holland said. The summer session, he said,

isn’t about identifying the biggest talents.

“It’s about their willingness to try and work as a team,” he said.

Back to school

Trevor and Maria each used to go to Costa Mesa High School. Both

fell far behind in their work and got redirected to the alternative

education program. There, they heard about the Summer at the Center.

“I met someone older than me that did it last year,” Trevor said.

“He said: ‘I know it sounds like a bunch of drama kids, but it’s way

fun and everyone was cool.’”

Though Trevor struggled at school, focusing his interest more on

surfing, playing the drums and spending time with his girlfriend, his

mother said the program gave him more incentive to work hard.

“He came home, the first day, absolutely elated,” his mother,

Karen Selby, said. “He’s having the time of his life and he’s working

so hard.”

Maria was far behind on credits and has had problems getting along

with other students, said Lisa Locke, a teacher for the county’s

alternative education program. But she’s resolved to do better and go

back to Costa Mesa High School.

“She’s willing to go the whole way, to show us, to show her

parents and to show everybody that she can do it,” Locke said. “She

has so much potential. There’s no stopping her.”

Students gave a full performance of popular songs from the 1950s

to present, including light-hearted Disney songs and more heart-felt

ones. Brawley is teaching them to open up and use their experience

and emotion in their performances, something they’re hesitant to do

at school.

“When you get those kids together collectively, it makes such a

difference,” Locke said. “They get in a program like that and they

realize anything’s possible.”

* MARISA O’NEIL covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@latimes.com.