By Robin Giles ’12, Arts & Entertainment Editor

With painters and sculptors, singers and musicians, actors and choreographers, the class of 2011 has been one of the most artistically talented grades to pass through the halls of Newark Academy.  And although it may be bittersweet to bid adieu to our artsy seniors, each one has a bright future ahead of them, and many intend to continue pursuing the arts while at college.

One senior who has made the ultimate show of dedication is Ellen Fishbein, who plans to attend the Manhattan School of Music and major in classical voice performance.  Someday, she hopes to make a career out of her singing: “I chose to go to a conservatory rather than a university because the program at MSM is designed to produce professionals ready to go into the field,” she noted.  However, she also intends to share her love of music.  “I expect to teach, especially private lessons…  It’s a way of giving back to the community, and giving kids the same opportunities that allowed me to develop as a singer.”

Another senior who wants to pursue a career in music is Henry Ellis, who will be entering the Miami School of Music this fall.  He has a number of long-term musical goals, including “playing professionally, touring, and maybe even producing.”  However, he also noted “People have different definitions of success.  I don’t think of musical success as going platinum.  What I really want is to develop a reputation as someone to play with, and to make a basic living.”  For now, he is mainly concerned with finishing up the first Shotgun Wedding LP (he mentioned that his band now has a singer, although he wouldn’t reveal who).

Other seniors, however, plan to incorporate the arts into a more traditional college education.  One of them is Bethany McHugh, who is hoping to double-major in Theatre and English at Carlton.  “I decided I didn’t want to go to a conservatory because it would pigeonhole me into a specific career path,” she remarked.  “I’m interested in a lot of different subjects, so being in a liberal arts school will allow me to pursue theatre while broadening my other interests as well.”  Becca Press expressed a similar sentiment regarding her dancing: “I don’t necessarily want to pursue a career in the arts. At this point, it’s just a hobby and a passion of mine,” she said, “If anything, I’ll probably minor in dance.”

Of course, there are many more seniors who plan to explore the arts in college than just these four.  And regardless of the level at which they plan to pursue their disciplines, each one has shown both dedication and passion for the arts.  With such tremendous potential, who knows what they’ll create?