Vocal jazz program strikes a chord

Students are buzzing around the Music Department here at ARC getting ready for their debut show on May 13. Vocalists and instrumentalists of the department have been working hard all semester preparing their pieces for the upcoming show.

There are approximately 98 students in the music program, and there are many branches and majors to choose from in the field. One of the major branches of Jazz studies is vocal study. The vocal department is broken into two levels VJ1 and VJ2 (Vocal Jazz).

There are approximately nine students in VJ1. Valerie Dickinson, and Billy Lawler are both in this department and will also be performing in the upcoming concert.

Dickinson is performing for the last time this semester; she hopes to transfer to Sacramento State University in the fall. Dickinson has performed in over 12 concerts and said that this program is, "excellent, and I personally haven't found a better opportunity to prepare you for entering a four year college."

Megan Gage has been in the program for over two years and is transferring after this semester with an Associates degree in Music. Gage is currently in VJ2, where there is an approximate total of 20 students currently.

Gage will be singing a solo in the upcoming concert along side with her colleague Dana Protsenko. Rindy Sumners is also a VJ2 student and will also be a vocalist in the upcoming show.