Briefly In Education

LBHS singers ‘master’ their craft in class

Some of Laguna Beach High School’s most talented singers got a musical treat April 3.

Internationally known Broadway and cabaret composer John Bucchino came to the school to teach a formal master class for eight students. They each prepared two of Bucchino’s songs in advance, and performed one of them in front of the class, instructed and accompanied by Bucchino on the piano.

The class was made possible through a $4,000 grant from the Festival of Arts Foundation.

“I was so energized by their enthusiasm and talent, and impressed by the strength of the performing arts program at LBHS and the depth of community support for artistic excellence at this level,” Bucchino said in a statement. “As a songwriter and performer, there are few things more gratifying than working with a young artist on one of my compositions and then hearing them bring something new and thrilling to its interpretation.”

The participating students were seniors Sarah Busic, Chandler Davis, Elan Kramer, Nicolas Leighton and Jackson Tupy, and juniors Haley Castuera, Karina Parker and Makenna Zur Schmiede. All of them also recently appeared in the school’s production of “The Sound of Music.”

“Support from the Festival of Arts Foundation has allowed us to give these hard-working high school performers an experience they would not otherwise get until late in a university fine arts degree program,” Roxanna Ward, musical director at LBHS, said in a statement. “We are so grateful to the Foundation and to John Bucchino for providing this opportunity to bring his master class to LBHS.”

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Young photographers head to regional contest

Members from the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach have advanced to the regional competition in the ImageMakers National Photography Contest, according to a news release from the club.

The 24 young photographers will have selected photos compete at the Pacific Regional contest, and winners there will go on to be judged nationally.

At the national level, 20 winners will be named, and their photography will go on display in a traveling exhibition for the Boys & Girls Club of America and other events throughout the year.

Previously, the Laguna Beach Club has produced five national winners.

The advancing photographers are: Solei Prats, Madison Rogers, Abi Webb, Savanna Danford, Harmony Lyn, Alex Fritshmann, Zeth Smith, Jenna Townsend, Caitlyn Davies, Jacob Zalenski, Mackenzie Walthall, Patricia Zalenski, Keilah Mead, Oliver Murray, Kennedy Roller, Kristie Cheung, Karmen Schmidt, India Boschet, Fernando Alonso, Maya Galeego, Evelyn Alonso, Owen Blum, Megan Mathews, and William Dowell, according to the release.

More than 800 photos are now on display in the club’s Community Room, divided into four age divisions and five categories including color process, black-and-white process, alternative process, digital and photo essay. The exhibit will be up through April 20. The club is at 1085 Laguna Canyon Road.

“By introducing members to photography and filming/video editing, we are giving them the tools and opportunity to explore ways to express who they are creatively starting at a young age,” club Art Director Emily Murray said in a statement. “These kids impress me every day with their ability to grasp new concepts and produce incredible pieces of work.”

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Club to celebrate at pancake breakfast

The TLC branch of the Boys & Girls Club is celebrating seven years with its annual pancake breakfast on April 28.

The event, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at Bluebird Park, will feature a crafts table, park games, face painting, a bounce house and, of course, pancakes.

Tickets are $5. For more information, call (949) 494-7630 or email monicas@bgclaguna.org.

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Free child IDs at the Boys & Girls Club

Resources in Motion (RIM) will be at the Boys & Girls Club on April 23 to issue free child-safe photo identification for children.

RIM will be distributing the cards from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The cards will feature the child’s name, birth date, height, eye color and hair color, along with the child’s fingerprint.

RIM is operated by the Raise Foundation, whose mission is to stop child abuse through education, advocacy, community collaboration and comprehensive services for families and children, according to a news release.

For more information, contact Terry Anne at (949) 494-2535 ext. 107 or email at terryanneb@bgclaguna.org.

—Kelly Parker and Joanna Clay