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Students Shine at 101st STAR

Students Shine at 101st STAR

On December 19, Kent Place’s 101st STAR was an awe-inspiring experience, for the audience and performers alike. A time-honored tradition in which every Upper School student participates, STAR features a rich selection of classic compositions, music from around the world, and contemporary pieces. The music is selected to provide eternal messages of light, hope, peace, and joy. This year’s theme — Land, Sea, and Sky: A Mirror for Our Well-being — took us on a musical exploration of nature’s profound balance.

“Every year, as we begin preparations for STAR, we reflect on how we foster and strengthen the connections within our community,” says Edel Thomas, Director of Performing Arts, who has been a part of STAR for 32 years. “Our theme encourages us to learn from the natural world’s harmony and resilience. The interconnectedness of ecosystems serves as a model for our own well-being, offering wisdom on adapting to life’s inevitable changes.”

Vocal soloists were Anne Bugliari ’26, Talia Sarafian ’26, and Lorelei Gustafson-Johnson ’26 in “One Voice”; Corynne Watkins ’25 in “O Holy Night”; and Isabella Deng ’25 and Evelyne Mendelsohn ’26 in “Song for Peace.” Instrumental soloists were Kate Lee ’26 (violin I), Charlotte Kim ’25 (violin II), Audrey Hong ’27 (viola), and Tessa Chow ’27 (cello) in “Days of Beauty” and Lauren Herman ’26 (French horn) in “Set Me as a Seal.”

For the first time in the history of STAR, one of the musical pieces was composed by a current student. Senior Charlotte Grushkin’s “Silent Storm” — performed by the Chamber Singers with piano accompaniment by David Davis — was a stunning choral work. 

Kent Place was delighted to welcome alumnae to STAR. First, they reunited with one another at a reception held on campus, and at the performance were invited to come forward and join the students in singing “O Holy Night.”