Parsippany Students Honored For Outstanding Jazz Talent

Two students from Parsippany were among several honored by the Mayo Performing Arts Center as a December Music Student Of The Month for being an outstanding jazz musician.

Kavin Sawant, a seventh grader from Brooklawn, and Richard Sevilla, a senior at Parsippany High School, were honored on stage before the Dec. 3 concert at Mayo PAC. All the students were nominated by their teachers and chosen by Mayo PAC's education department. At the end of the year, all honored students will be invited to perform in a recital.

Here is what Joseph Stella had to say about Sawant:

Kavin is a talented percussionist in the 7th grade band at Brooklawn Middle School. In addition to being a part of the concert band, he has played with the pit orchestra for the school musical and has been accepted by audition into the BMS jazz band on drum set. Although he is relatively new to jazz, he is quickly showing off his skills by learning different grooves with ease and determination. Aside from his musical talent, Kavin is also a very mature, kind, and respectful individual and is always ready to help others in any way possible.

Here is what Gregory Dalakian had to say about Sevilla:

Richard Sevilla has been a dedicated member of the PHS Jazz Ensemble for the past 3 years. During his sophomore year, when there was a need for a bass trombone in the band, Richard volunteered to learn the instrument so he could help out the ensemble. He did an excellent job learning this new instrument and helped fill out the trombone section. During the next two years, he auditioned on piano and has been rocking away on the keys ever since! He has grown exceptionally as a young jazz musician and has contributed his jazz skills to our entire music program by helping hold the rhythm section and the whole band together. In addition, he performed the professional level Gershwin piano parts in last year's spring musical, Nice Work If You Can Get It, adding a great deal of style and musicianship to the show. He is always willing to lend his talents to our music program at PHS and in the community as well. I am proud to nominate Richard Sevilla as an "Outstanding Jazz Musician" for the MPAC Student of the Month.

Front Row: L-R Aaron Andino, Grade 8, Frelinghuysen Middle School, Morristown; Kavin Sawant, Grade 7, Brooklawn Middle School, Parsippany; Alvaro Caravaca, Grade 8, Mount Olive Middle School, Budd Lake; Rachel Gontarski, Grade 8, Randolph Middle School, Randolph. Second Row:Ethan Butka, Grade 12, Kinnelon High School, Kinnelon; Aren Hill, Grade 8, Harding Township School, New Vernon; Richard Sevilla, Grade 12, Parsippany High School, Parsippany; Not in picture:Ryder Jackson, Grade 12, Dover High School; Conor Lenahan, Grade 12, Morristown High School; Jason Monachello, Grade 12, Randolph High School