Students from Mt. Olive, Randolph, Boonton, Rockaway, Chester, Kinnelon and Morristown schools were honored as Mayo Performing Arts Center’s January 2023 Music Students of the Month – Outstanding Percussionists — prior to the Saturday, January 7 performance of Stomp.
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 2022-2023 Music Student of the Month program is supported by The Walter F. and Alice Gorham Foundation, Inc.
About the January Music Students of the Month (bio supplied by their instructors)
Michael Alfano
Grade 8, Mount Olive Middle School; Budd Lake; Nominated by Melany McQueeny
I have worked as Michael’s band director for the past three years. He is always prepared and is a true leader within his section. Michael is always willing to help others, and has even taken it upon himself to learn new songs with members of his section. Michael is willing to receive critique and has worked very hard at improving his craft. He recently just auditioned and successfully made it into the North Jersey Area Band as one of the percussionists. I am incredibly proud of the work Michael has done, and I am very excited for what his musical future looks like.
Roanna Buan
Grade 10, Randolph High School; Randolph; Nominated by Anthony Eskin
Roanna is an extremely talented and bright tenth grade percussionist at Randolph High 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 Randolph, she has been heavily involved in the band program as a percussionist. As a sophomore, she has made Wind Ensemble both years and earned the responsibility of being the “Principal Percussionist” of the Wind Ensemble after a successful audition. In addition to her involvement in the concert band class, she has been a member of the RMS Percussion Ensemble, RMS Jazz Ensemble, Randolph Marching Rams, and the RHS Percussion Ensemble. She also had the responsibility of being the center snare in the marching band this year. She has demonstrated true dedication to the arts through her involvement in concert band and extra-curricular select ensembles on top of her already demanding schedule. She always puts 110% into whatever she is doing both inside and outside of school, whether it is playing music, singing in her church choir, or scoring for the basketball team.
Calyb Craig
Grade 8, Black River Middle School; Chester; Nominated by Kenneth Piascik
Calyb Craig is the definition of a well-rounded, dedicated, and talented musician. A “Complete” Percussionist! Mr. Craig joined our music department in the 6th grade and has continued to develop our program above and beyond. His energy, positive attitude, helpfulness, leadership, and passion inspire us all. Not only is Mr. Craig in the full band, but he also participates in our Honors Percussion Ensemble, “Encore” Jazz Ensemble, Theory Program, and is a top member of our “Music Level System.” Where there is music at Black River, you will find Mr. Craig close by. One of the great parts of being a teacher is listening to my students talk about their passions in life. This has given me the chance to experience some amazing people and achievements. Mr. Craig cares deeply about our world, other people’s feelings, and improving everyone’s quality of life. He extends this kindness to our community and the members of the band respect and consider him to be a great leader. Calyb Craig is without a doubt an “Outstanding Percussionist”, and I am very proud to be part of his musical journey.
John Ford
Grade 8, Randolph Middle School; Randolph; Nominated by Anthony Eskin
John is an exceptional eighth grade percussionist. He serves as a role model to his peers through his dedication, attitude, and leadership. John successfully auditioned for the North Jersey Intermediate Region Band last year, and the NJSMA Jr. Region Band the last two years, achieving first overall this year as a battery percussionist. At Randolph Middle School, John is active in Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and “Siri”, a student leadership group. Outside of school, John enjoys playing sports, skiing with his family, and being a Boy Scout in Troop 166. With a rigorous schedule of schoolwork, private lessons, sports, and practicing, John serves as an example to his peers.
Nathaniel Godfrey
Grade 7, Brooklawn Middle School; Parsippany; Nominated by Joseph Stella
Nathaniel is a percussionist in our school’s 7th grade concert band. He is a solid player and has branched out this year taking on the challenge of learning the drum set for our jazz band as well. Additionally he has been helpful in playing extra music for our school’s orchestra concert. His combined musical talent, drive to improve and overall polite and mature demeanor makes him a fitting recipient of the Outstanding Percussionist recognition
Jaciel Lagos
Grade 8, John Hill School; Boonton; Nominated by Yvonne Manca
Jaciel has been an asset to the music program at John Hill School. He is an enthusiastic drummer and can sight read many difficult rhythms. He plays the drum set in addition to auxiliary percussion. Jaciel plans to continue to play in the high school band (when this school year is over).
James O’Driscoll
Grade 8, Rockaway Valley Middle School; Rockaway; Nominated by Nicole Covart
James has been constantly improving throughout his 5 years here at Rockaway Valley School. Playing the drum set has become his main focus. However, when he is on any other percussion instrument, he is dependable and the other students look up to him. I look forward to working with him during his last year at our school, and seeing what he is able to accomplish in high school.
Albert Ott
Grade 10, Kinnelon High School; Kinnelon; Nominated by Ryan Stroud
Albert is one of the most dedicated members of our percussion section. He participates in our Wind Ensemble and our Pep Band at KHS, and he’s rock solid in all of his commitments. I always know that Albert will be there and that reliability means the world to me! Albert excels as a mallet percussionist, but is adept at all the other battery percussion instruments, as well. He is well-rounded, dependable and talented. We’re lucky to have him in our program!
Michael Piccolo
Grade 8, Pearl R. Miller School; Kinnelon; Nominated by Brian Scanlon
Michael is a very hardworking all around percussionist. He plays Battery, Timpani, Mallets and Drum-set as a member of every ensemble we have to offer in our school. Michael plays in our audition only Jazz-Rock Ensemble as well as our Band for Advanced Musicians. Both require an audition and the willingness to attend rehearsals before school. In every group he brings high quality musicianship and dedication. He not only is a great young musician, but he is also a student of very high character. Not a day goes by without a friendly hello as he enters the room and thank you as he departs! He is willing to help others and assist with any task at hand. He is a pleasure to work with and to have as a student in all of our groups.
Shaan Thakker
Grade 12, Morristown High School; Morristown; Nominated by David Gallagher
Shaan is an incredibly talented percussionist and all around musician. He is currently the principal percussion player for our high school wind ensemble and plays drum set in our jazz band. He also volunteered his time to play with our full symphonic orchestra at our recent winter concert. However, Shaan especially shines in marching band. He was one of our drumline captains this year and I cannot say enough good things about his leadership, dedication, and again musical talent. In addition to marching and performing in the show Shaan also arranged all of the drumline music and wrote the ballad for the entire band. Work of this caliber is usually reserved for a paid professional but having Shaan in the program this year has been invaluable and I do not know what we would do without him.
