(Morristown) – Student musicians from Butler, Randolph, Parsippany, Mt. Olive, Roxbury, Madison, Morristown and Boonton have been named as Mayo Performing Arts Center’s April 2021 Music Student of the Month – Outstanding Percussionists.
They will receive a certificate for their honor from MPAC and will be featured on the Music Student of the Month page on the MPAC website.
Typically, MSOM honorees are recognized onstage prior to an MPAC event. Due to restrictions from pandemic, that is not possible, but MPAC believes it remains important to recognize the achievements of area music students now more than ever.
Students were nominated by their teachers and were chosen by the Theatre’s Education Department based on their commitment to and excellence in the performing arts. The Theatre will honor a group of students every month throughout the season and invites area teachers to nominate students for this honor.
The 2021 Music Student of the Month program is supported by The Walter F. and Alice Gorham Foundation, Inc.
About the April Music Students of the Month (bio supplied by their instructors)
Adam Avery – 8th Grade – Richard Butler School, Butler, NJ
Nominated by Lyn Lowndes
Adam is in the Eighth Grade at the Richard Butler School, and plays percussion for Concert Band, Drum Set for Jazz Band, and Snare Drum for the Butler High School Marching Band. He has been a member of the Richard Butler Middle School Band program for the last four years, in the Jazz Band two years, and joined the Marching Band this past year as an 8th grader. He is an energetic leader, talented musician and always willing to help out. Outside of school, Adam is a very active musician as well. He plays with his church band, which is led by a member of the Salvation Army New York Staff Band, the Divisional Youth Band in which Adam is the only percussionist, the Praise and Worship Band, and the church youth chorus, which he has been a soloist. Adam runs the sound board for his church, is a member of the church drama team, and has been part of the cast of his church’s Christmas musicals where he has had main roles and supporting roles since he was 3. In addition to his music activities, Adam has been a defensemen for the Montclair State House Hockey League for the past 3 years. Last year, his team won first place in the AAHA Robert Sullo Memorial Tournament.
Brent Benicasa- Grade 10 – Butler High School
Nominated by Ed Nishimura
It is hard to overstate the meaningful contributions that Brent has made to our school, surrounding community, and specifically the music program. I have been Brent’s band director for the past three years and he is currently one of my top percussion students in the music program. As his band director, I have had the pleasure of having him in my concert band, jazz band, marching band, and pep band. His dedication and perseverance throughout the year have been nothing but top-notch. Brent is always willing to listen and eager to learn. Qualities to be a successful musician like Brent is, are to be self-directed, focused, and motivated. He has overcome obstacles and even lost motivation during this pandemic but recently found his love for music again and is thriving. Knowing he will be in the Butler band program for another two years gives me great joy at how strong my percussion section will be. Thank you for considering one of my amazing band students to be recognized.
Ryan Borinski
11th grade – Randolph High School
Nominated by Anthony Eskin
Ryan is an exceptional percussionist. He plays with grace, musicality, and maturity. In a blind audition, you can easily mistake him for a college percussionist with how musical he is. Throughout his career, he has been a part of the NJSMA Jr. Region Band and the NJSMA Region Band. At Randolph High School, Ryan is active in Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Orchestra, Marching Band, Pit Orchestra, and is currently the principal percussionist of the Wind Ensemble. He always brings a positive attitude and a drive to improve his technique to our lessons every week. In addition to being a gifted percussionist, he is also an intellectual and kind person. Ryan always carries himself with respect and class.
Roanna Buan
8th grader – Randolph Middle School
Nominated by Anthony Eskin
Roanna is an extremely talented and bright eighth grade percussionist at Randolph Middle School who is always a pleasure to have in band rehearsals, lessons, and sectionals. She is a student that I can count on to serve as an excellent role model for her peers. During her time at RMS, she has been heavily involved in the band program as a percussionist. In addition to her involvement in the concert band class, she has been a member of the RMS Percussion Ensemble for two years and has played drum set in the RMS Jazz Ensemble for all three years. She has demonstrated true dedication to the arts through her involvement in concert band as well these two extra-curricular select ensembles. She always puts in 110% into whatever she is doing both inside and out of school whether it is playing music, singing in her church choir, or coaching martial art students towards their black belts.
Fióna Celli – Grade 12 – Parsippany High School
Nominated by Gregory Dalakian
Fióna has been a very dedicated and active member of the PHS Music Department during her entire high school career. She is a very talented percussionist and has participated in nearly all the ensembles we have to offer, including Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and has also served as the Front Ensemble and Drumline Section Leader of the PHS Marching Band for the past 3 years. In addition to being a dedicated member of our school ensembles, Fióna contributes her percussion skills to the Lakeland Youth Symphony. Fióna is a very passionate musician and is always willing to help our band program in any way she can. She has contributed a great deal to our PHSMB Front Ensemble and the overall percussion section during her time at PHS and would be very deserving of this award. Thank you for considering Fióna Celli for this honor.
Connor Matalian
10th Grade – Mount Olive High School
Nominated by John DiEgidio
Connor is an OUTSTANDING young man whose work ethic and enthusiasm for band have really set him apart from his peers. He currently participates in Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Percussion Ensemble. In each ensemble he is an active and welcome addition. Whether paying careful attention during every aspect of rehearsal, or practicing his parts at home, Connor is the model student both with his attitude and musicality!
Nicholas Morris – Grade 12 – Roxbury HS
Nominated by Jeffrey Conrad
Nicholas is an outstanding player and leader within our band program. Despite our limited activities this fall, Nicholas went out of his way to encourage and support all members, especially the newest members, of our organization. He is an excellent percussionist, excelling on both mallet and battery percussion. He was also accepted into the 2020 NJ Region I Symphonic Band, working hard to prepare his audition material on his own with the support of our staff. He is kind, caring, and always gives his best effort. His diligence in his preparation is only matched by the generosity of his spirit. Nicholas is truly an exceptional member of our band program who leads by example and supports and elevates all those around him.
Roshan Sapra – 12th Grade – Morristown High School
Nominated by David Gallagher
Roshan is an incredibly talented percussionist who has been an outstanding member of our ensembles all 4 years in high school. He has been in our wind ensemble since his sophomore year and for our first ever virtual winter concert he was the featured drumset player in our combined rendition of Sleigh Ride. He has also played drumset with our jazz band and pit orchestras. This year Roshan also demonstrated tremendous leadership and expertise as our drumline captain in our marching band. Jacob Tran – Grade 8 – Brooklawn Middle School
Nominated by Joseph Stella
Jacob is a very fine percussionist from Brooklawn Middle School. He is a well rounded total-percussionist who is comfortable with mallet instruments as well as the non-pitched percussion. He has been accepted into this year’s BMS jazz band on drum set and will be covering the keyboard and auxiliary percussion parts in the BMS pit orchestra for this year’s musical. Aside from his musical talent, Jacob is also a very pleasant, polite and respectful student.
Jaiden Triana Grade 7 – John Hill School, Boonton
Nominated by Yvonne Manca
Jaiden is an outstanding drummer that can read any rhythm that is put in front of him. He has been a percussionist since he was in the 4th grade and is our best percussionist at the school. Jaiden has excelled in percussion and is naturally talented. He can play all of the percussion instruments (any part). He can read notes in any clef as well. He has been taking private drum lessons to excel in percussion. He is an asset to the music program at John Hill School.
Meredith Weiner, Grade 11 – Madison High School
Nominated by Russ Batsch
Meredith is one of the most dedicated members of my percussion section. She is always working on parts, and perfecting her craft. Ms. Weiner has never backed down from a challenge, including playing in Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble and really any other percussion opportunity she comes across. Her drive is second to none, but she also finds time to help those in the section that are not as far in their skills as she is. Meredith is a natural leader and cares about her fellow performers. She can often be seen working on parts with them, helping them to read music, or just hanging out to be someone who encourages them. I highly recommend Meredith for this honor, and would be willing to speak on her behalf if you require additional information.
