By Julia Corbett
Correspondent
First-time performers at the College entertained and impressed audience members on Friday Oct. 1 at the College Union Board sponsored Student Soloist Night at the Rathskeller.
Stephanie Frustaci, a freshman open options culture and society major, covered and embodied the likes of Vanessa Carlton and Ingrid Michaelson in her first performance.
Frustaci, who started performing in sixth grade as a result of her choir teacher discovering her voice, performed “I Hope You Dance” by Leann Womack, “Hand in My Pocket” by Alanis Morissette, “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton, “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson and “Forever and For Always” by Shania Twain.
Initially nervous and excited due to it being the first time she performed at the College, Frustaci impressed audience members.She said, “I enjoy creating music because it is a way of expressing myself. I feel like a different person when I’m singing.”
“She has a great range,” said Tino Ghaly, freshman nursing major.
Nick Ferrante, freshman history and secondary education major, said, “She is really good. I like the selection of songs.”
Freshman journalism major Mike Hassin created a 30-minute mash-up titled “Rat Soup,” featuring an assortment of artists, including Radiohead, Zero-7 and Robyn.
Considering himself to be part of the remix / electronic realm, Hassin, “started playing around with software” in order to create the mash-up. The finished product was an interesting, engaging blend of artists and instrumentals.
Hassin said, “I think making music is fun because I like when people enjoy it, and if people enjoy it, I enjoy it.”
Singer and guitarist Joshua Holland, a senior English and secondary education major, finished off the event.
Holland covered “Tessellate” by Tokyo Police Club and “Love You More Than Life” by Neutral Milk Hotel.
Holland said, “I am influenced by everything from blink-182 to John Coltrane to The Beach Boys.”
As a drummer for 12 years, Holland decided to pick up the guitar in high school.
Despite his age and experience in comparison to the other student artists, this was the first time Holland played at the College. However, he has played in other locations before.
Holland praised Student Soloist Night for being a “good venue to start performing. People who come like to hear different kinds of music.”
Frustaci said, “It’s a relaxed environment. It’s a great way to get a sense of a professional environment.”
Student Soloist Night is held on the first Friday of every month.
