Young Songwriters Perform With Passion

For Sebastianne Kent, the songwriters club at White Plains High School is a place for her to pursue her passion in an informal way.

"The club keeps music in my life," said Kent, a senior who plans to study journalism at Emerson University next year. She said the club give her an outlet for the art outside of her studies and the two jobs she works.

"I love that it gives me a way to perform and keep music in my life," said Kent.

The club meets twice per week under the guidance of advisor Dennis Polanco, an educator of 22 years and English teacher at the high school. Students write and perform at school and community showcase events and they learn how to copywright and publish their work.

Melieluck Gulle, also a senior member of the club, said the club also offers companionship with like-minded friends. 

"The club is like family—we're a close-knit group and being together is like being at home," said Gulle, who plans on studying occupational therapy at the University at Buffalo next year.

Polanco said he appreciated how the school district was especially supportive of arts programs.

"The city serves such a diverse population and the arts are a way to express the multiple voices that we have at this school and in our community," he said.

He also said the work keeps him young.

"I perform with them, too—and they bustle with energy. They're creative, unscathed by cynicism and a joy to work with," he said. 

Click on the videos to watch the student performances at a recent school-city celebration of Arbor Day.