Senior Spring Recital 2025
Braeden M Laidlow
My earliest experience with music was in the 2nd or 3rd grade, when I began taking piano lessons with Mrs. A, a music teacher at Bunker Hill Elementary School. By far, the one who has supported me the most in my musical endeavors is my mom.
My most memorable moments in my music studies were when I got to perform my favorite songs in front of an audience. “Sailors’ Dance” is the piece that has brought me the most joy, simply because it was the first song I ever memorized. I’ve revisited that piece tonight in my first medley of pieces. The most challenging piece I learned was “Hall of the Mountain King,” because there was a time when I could play it pretty well, but that has yet to happen again!
My advice to music students is that if you get nervous for whatever reason during a performance or concert (or in a public speaking situation) is to not worry. No matter how bad you feel you’ve performed, the audience will always clap and cheer. They want to support you. It’s about effort, not accuracy. Well, it is about accuracy, but your effort is more important!
I will be continuing my studies at Laurel Ridge Community College after high school, and I will be seeking a career in the cybersecurity field.
My earliest experience with music was in the 2nd or 3rd grade, when I began taking piano lessons with Mrs. A, a music teacher at Bunker Hill Elementary School. By far, the one who has supported me the most in my musical endeavors is my mom.
My most memorable moments in my music studies were when I got to perform my favorite songs in front of an audience. “Sailors’ Dance” is the piece that has brought me the most joy, simply because it was the first song I ever memorized. I’ve revisited that piece tonight in my first medley of pieces. The most challenging piece I learned was “Hall of the Mountain King,” because there was a time when I could play it pretty well, but that has yet to happen again!
My advice to music students is that if you get nervous for whatever reason during a performance or concert (or in a public speaking situation) is to not worry. No matter how bad you feel you’ve performed, the audience will always clap and cheer. They want to support you. It’s about effort, not accuracy. Well, it is about accuracy, but your effort is more important!
I will be continuing my studies at Laurel Ridge Community College after high school, and I will be seeking a career in the cybersecurity field.
“Lunar Eclipse” art by Erik Zimmerman, of White Spider, Inc.
Erik is a local photographer. You may have seen his works in the area, including the local Apple Blossom Festival.
"Recently, I was approached by Braeden Laidlow, a piano student of Brigitte DeHaven, to use my recent Lunar Eclipse image series in support of his upcoming piano performance, also called, "Lunar Eclipse". I asked if he could provide the music and I would be happy to put the two together as a video. When I listened to his music, I could feel the transition of the eclipse as it took place, from beginning to middle to end. What a beautiful piece! Thank you, Braeden, for sharing your musical talent with me, and I hope my image provides the visual support for when you perform your song."
Click this link to see the ebb and flow of Braeden’s music and Erik’s art:
www.facebook.com/WhiteSpiderInc/videos/1410515599977914/?rdid=bjIX5bXkRZZ06MWW
Erik is a local photographer. You may have seen his works in the area, including the local Apple Blossom Festival.
"Recently, I was approached by Braeden Laidlow, a piano student of Brigitte DeHaven, to use my recent Lunar Eclipse image series in support of his upcoming piano performance, also called, "Lunar Eclipse". I asked if he could provide the music and I would be happy to put the two together as a video. When I listened to his music, I could feel the transition of the eclipse as it took place, from beginning to middle to end. What a beautiful piece! Thank you, Braeden, for sharing your musical talent with me, and I hope my image provides the visual support for when you perform your song."
Click this link to see the ebb and flow of Braeden’s music and Erik’s art:
www.facebook.com/WhiteSpiderInc/videos/1410515599977914/?rdid=bjIX5bXkRZZ06MWW
Grace H Thompson
My earliest experiences with music were when I was very little. I loved to listen to CDs, and I began learning basic piano when I was around 5, though I wasn’t able to take lessons until I was a bit older. My grandparents have supported me the most.
My most memorable moments in my music studies were when I played in recitals and concerts. The piece that has brought me the most joy is probably “Claire de Lune.” I will be playing this in our concert next month. The most difficult piece for me has been “Summer,” which I will be playing tonight. To learn this very difficult piece, I honestly just had to keep practicing the notes and gradually building speed.
The advice I would give to students is to not be discouraged easily when learning a piece. Even pieces within your skill level can take considerable practice.
After high school, I am attending university and will be studying to enter the medical field. I plan to continue to play piano, and I hope I can join a music activity when I am in college.
My earliest experiences with music were when I was very little. I loved to listen to CDs, and I began learning basic piano when I was around 5, though I wasn’t able to take lessons until I was a bit older. My grandparents have supported me the most.
My most memorable moments in my music studies were when I played in recitals and concerts. The piece that has brought me the most joy is probably “Claire de Lune.” I will be playing this in our concert next month. The most difficult piece for me has been “Summer,” which I will be playing tonight. To learn this very difficult piece, I honestly just had to keep practicing the notes and gradually building speed.
The advice I would give to students is to not be discouraged easily when learning a piece. Even pieces within your skill level can take considerable practice.
After high school, I am attending university and will be studying to enter the medical field. I plan to continue to play piano, and I hope I can join a music activity when I am in college.
“The Great Day of His Wrath” 1852 John Martin, painter
This work of art is part of a triptych. which has been used in Mozart’s Requiem, specifically “Lacrimosa.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BNh7zpBoBU
This work of art is part of a triptych. which has been used in Mozart’s Requiem, specifically “Lacrimosa.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BNh7zpBoBU
Victoria K Tarrant
My earliest experiences with music started when I was very young. My mother is a choir teacher, and she showed me the beauty of singing from a young age. When I saw my mom sing with her gorgeous voice, I was hooked and knew I wanted to sing. I asked my mom to sign me up for the second grade talent show. I sang “I See the Light” from Tangled, and the rest is history!
The people who have supported me the most have been my wonderful family and friends. My parents and brothers have encouraged my love for singing from the moment I sang a note. They have been at almost every concert and performance. A special shoutout goes to my great grandmother who passed away in 2022 at 103 years old. Every time I thought of giving up singing, I would think of her and how she would still want me to keep doing it. Ms. Brigitte has also supported me in music by challenging me and believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
My most memorable moments in my music studies were going to District Choir, going on field trips with my mom’s choir, and just talking with Ms. Brigitte during voice lessons and having fun with her.
There are several songs that have given me much joy: “Oceano,” “Watch What Happens,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” and “Summertime” are a few. Two of the most difficult pieces that I had to learn were “Oceano” and “Watch What Happens.” I went about this by keeping the tempo and having confidence that I could hit the notes.
The advice I would give to new voice students is to keep singing and never lose your passion for the art. There have been many times when I wanted to stop, but I’m so thankful I didn’t. I would also say that if you don’t master a song immediately, it will come as you continue to work on it. You will grow so much as a singer and as a person through voice lessons.
After high school, I am attending the College of William and Mary with a major in Public Policy, with another major in International Relations or Sociology. I am unsure, but I am debating either pursuing a law degree or working in Public Policy/International Relations through organizations like the United Nations or CIA.
I want to sing in the choir at William and Mary and do theatre there as well. I also hope to continue taking lessons with Brigitte as time permits.
My earliest experiences with music started when I was very young. My mother is a choir teacher, and she showed me the beauty of singing from a young age. When I saw my mom sing with her gorgeous voice, I was hooked and knew I wanted to sing. I asked my mom to sign me up for the second grade talent show. I sang “I See the Light” from Tangled, and the rest is history!
The people who have supported me the most have been my wonderful family and friends. My parents and brothers have encouraged my love for singing from the moment I sang a note. They have been at almost every concert and performance. A special shoutout goes to my great grandmother who passed away in 2022 at 103 years old. Every time I thought of giving up singing, I would think of her and how she would still want me to keep doing it. Ms. Brigitte has also supported me in music by challenging me and believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
My most memorable moments in my music studies were going to District Choir, going on field trips with my mom’s choir, and just talking with Ms. Brigitte during voice lessons and having fun with her.
There are several songs that have given me much joy: “Oceano,” “Watch What Happens,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” and “Summertime” are a few. Two of the most difficult pieces that I had to learn were “Oceano” and “Watch What Happens.” I went about this by keeping the tempo and having confidence that I could hit the notes.
The advice I would give to new voice students is to keep singing and never lose your passion for the art. There have been many times when I wanted to stop, but I’m so thankful I didn’t. I would also say that if you don’t master a song immediately, it will come as you continue to work on it. You will grow so much as a singer and as a person through voice lessons.
After high school, I am attending the College of William and Mary with a major in Public Policy, with another major in International Relations or Sociology. I am unsure, but I am debating either pursuing a law degree or working in Public Policy/International Relations through organizations like the United Nations or CIA.
I want to sing in the choir at William and Mary and do theatre there as well. I also hope to continue taking lessons with Brigitte as time permits.
