William Floyd School District: William Paca Jazz Choir Sharpens Skills At SCMEA Day Of Jazz

Press release from the William Floyd School District:

2022-02-15

Members of the William Paca Middle School Jazz Choir are pictured at the SCMEA Jazz Day held in the Smithtown School District on February 5.

The William Paca Middle School Jazz Choir, under the direction of Michelle Seifert, recently attended the Suffolk County Music Educators Association (SCMEA) Jazz Day held at Nesaquake Middle School in St. James. Sixteen seventh- and eighth-grade William Paca students, who have been singing together since October, had the amazing opportunity to work with professional jazz musicians including the Grammy-nominated Nicole Zuraitis and vocalist Kimberly Hawkey.

Students enjoyed performing “Dear Theodosia” and the jazz standard “Side by Side” for the guest clinicians. Mrs. Seifert said of the student’s experience, “They received praise and constructive comments, and had the opportunity to work on jazz nuances in real time.” Students also participated in a clinic with Ms. Zuraitis in which they composed and sang their own blues song.

Congratulations to these talented student-musicians on this incredible opportunity and for their hard work and stellar performance, as well as Mrs. Seifert for guiding and teaching these talented students! Students include: Arianna Caserma, Keegan Holm, Avery Morano, Stefania Conte, Frankie Mattera, Kalina-Sky Permenter, Mars Smothergill, Brandon Mott, Rachel Schultz, Adam Province, Murphy Jones, Jackson Seifert, Kolton Chamberlain, Kayla Bartolotta, Kaelyn Green and Aida Cisse. 

This press release was produced by the William Floyd School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.