Alumni share their continued work for the Arts Community

Alumni share their continued work for the Arts Community

Alay Tedla (Class of 2011)

I am currently attending Virginia Tech. I’m in an a capella group there called Naturally Sharp. There’s definitely a lot more freedom and flexibility versus high school chorus in that we choose rehearsal times that are convenient to everyone, and we get to choose what songs to arrange/perform. Some of the songs we perform include Wake Me Up (Avicii), Backstreet Boys, No Diggity, etc. Chorus (Men’s Chorale/Annandale Singers)

The AHS choral department helped train certain skills that I would need in my a cappella group like sight-singing, reading music and arranging songs. Broadway Desserts and Singing Valentines were definitely the most memorable events I took part in at AHS. They were probably the two events I had the most fun participating and singing in.

Even if you don’t decide to major in that certain art  you love in college, there are tons of groups and clubs that can help you continue whatever it is you love. Definitely do it.

In the future, I may join local a capella group or try my hand at songwriting, not quite sure yet but I know that no matter what, music will still be in my life.

Kevin Tran (Class of 2013)

I currently attend Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in theatre performance. In college, it’s like the real deal. I am being classically trained every class in the Stanislavsky method of acting. The theatre department at VCU prides itself on encouraging their students to be self-sufficient. The professors teach you the process and in the end you have to utilize them yourself.

At AHS, I was in shows and did some improv activities in class. Thankfully, I also learned a lot about the technical side of theater at AHS, which helps with my major.

I always loved doing the drug awareness plays at Annandale. Those were so much fun to perform in. I believe that the cast and I always made it entertaining, though not straying to far from the seriousness that it represents. Also, I’m a pretty humble guy and I don’t like to brag, but remember the spring pep rally of 2010 when the theatre people did a flash mob? And I totally stole the show with my little crumping/twerking bit. That was memorable.

Many people are unsure if they want to follow their dreams of majoring in an art. If it’s something that you love then I say go for it. Dream big, do big! Everything requires hard work, time, and patience. Then it’s a guaranteed you will find some amount of success. Forgive the cliché Disney message I’m sending here, but commit to your art. Don’t be in it with expectation of finding fame and fortune. Just commit to being great at whatever your passion is.

I plan to take my talents to Hollywood and find success in film acting. And maybe also do some stand up comedy as well. Then I want to come back to Annandale and have a big portrait of me hanging in the theatre hallway under an alumni section.