Melissa Etheridge Performs With Westlake Students

WESTLAKE, OH — Star singer Melissa Etheridge had good company on stage with her at her June 7 performance at Severance Hall. Seven Westlake High School students performed with Etheridge as part of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra "Pulse" concert.

Westlake students participating in the event were junior Mary Babinski, cello, sophomore Alex Falcone, violin, junior Jade Hawk, bass, freshman Nathan Hsiao, violin, junior Aaron Kim, violin, and Adam Schordock, bassoon. Sophomore Alyssa Gruttadauria was a first soprano in a 50-member choir. Gruttadauria paid for her participation through a grant from the Westlake Music Boosters.

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The various parts of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra practiced separately leading up to the event. The day before the concert, all parts of the band came together for rehearsal and a chat with Etheridge. Westlake students had to juggle rehearsal and final exams, making their performance even more impressive.

The Contemporary Youth Orchestra (CYO) is comprised of 115 high school musicians who perform at Severance Hall. Once a year, the CYO invites a well-known artist to join them in concert. A youth chorus is auditioned and chosen for the performance. The series has previously featured performances from Ben Folds, Graham Nash and Jon Anderson of Yes.

You can watch Etheridge and the CYO rehearsing on June 7 in the video below.

Photo Cutline: WHS sophomore Alyssa Gruttadauria with Melissa Etheridge./Photo from Westlake Schools