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Summer music camp ends season on a high note

The performers sang classic rock songs from Led Zeppelin and more.

Perfect harmony: Pictured are (clockwise from left) Faith Salas, Cary Porter, Joey Jones, Zach Mertz, Frank McAnaney, Assistant Music Director Ashley de Vries, Jacob Harding, Music Director Darren Musatto, Devin Reilly, Percussion Director Jack Firneno, Gavin Rodriguez, George Hindman, Sydney Mercer, Abby Dooley, Carlie McNally, Tatyana Johns and Jessie Connor. Photo: Pearl Joslyn

Share the Spotlight, a summer music camp for kids age 10–18, held its end-of-season show on Saturday night at the Devon Theater.

Performers were Jessie Connor, Abby Dooley, Jacob Harding, George Hindman, Tatyana Johns, Joey Jones, Frank McAnaney, Carlie McNally, Sydney Mercer, Zach Mertz, Cary Porter, Devin Rielly, Gavin Rodriguez and Faith Salas.

The band members performed 16 songs, including hits from Neil Young, The Pretenders, Lenny Kravitz, John Lennon, The Cure, David Bowie, The Clash, Jimmy Cliff, The Who, Dolly Parton, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones.

The husband-and-wife team of Darren Musatto and Ashley de Vries moved to Philadelphia a year-and-a-half ago, and saw a community spirit and love of music in the Northeast. They decided to offer Share the Spotlight, a tuition-free, performance-based rock music program that originated in New York.

Students rehearsed twice a week in July and August. The two-hour rehearsals were held at Keystone Soundworks, 4900 Longshore Ave.

“We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response to Share the Spotlight in the Northeast this year. The support we received from everyone while we were trying to get the program off the ground here, and the continued enthusiasm throughout the summer, has been remarkable. We are excited to bring this program to the Northeast, where live music is so highly valued by the community,” said de Vries, the assistant director of music and director of operations.

Musatto and de Vries thanked volunteer teacher Jack Firneno, New Foundations Charter School music teacher Michael Simpson, Mia Hylan, Father Judge High School, the Jack Costello Boxing Club, Kingdom Life Christian Center, the Mayfair CDC, Pat’s Music, Sawtown Tavern, Tacony CDC, Tacony Free Library and Tacony LAB. ••

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