< Back The great circle of clay Cindy Gu ’29 Sep 25, 2026 A stray lump of wet clay trimmed from a pot or dropped onto a wheel head may seem like trash, but in Pete Gunkelman’s ceramics classroom, it is only the beginning of a new cycle. Instead of tossing scrap clay into the bin, Gunkelman collects it, reworks it, and places it in another student’s hands. His goal is to reduce studio waste and make practical use of material that would otherwise end up being discarded. The recycling process depends on how dry the clay scraps have become. When students are sculpting or throwing pots, unused pieces naturally accumulate around the workspace. If the pieces are still soft and workable, Gunkelman places them directly onto a plaster wedging table. Because plaster naturally draws out moisture, it absorbs the excess water in the clay, allowing him to hand-wedge the material back into a usable consistency before storing it in plastic bags for immediate reuse. When scraps dry out past the point of simple re-wedging, the process requires a few more steps. Students collect dry pieces in small buckets, which Gunkelman dumps into a larger barrel where the clay “slakes down” in water into a liquidy slurry. He then pours the mixture into an open plaster trough to draw out the moisture. Once the clay is dry enough to crack at the edges, he feeds it into a pug mill— a machine that mixes clay with different levels of moisture into uniform cylinders ready to be stored and reused. “Almost every ceramics studio recycles clay, so it’s a very common practice,” Gunkleman said. “I think we’re doing a really good thing by only firing work that we want to keep, and we try to recycle things that we don’t want to keep. And then we can keep using it. It’s a pretty big responsibility.” To him, the pieces created in the ceramics classroom carry a lasting legacy that will outlive everyone in the room. Because of this, he encourages students to keep and fire only their best work while recycling the rest. Rather than having each student handle their own scraps separately, the class works together to keep the cycle going. As Gunkelman explained, “I think if each person were an individual artist, we would each be recycling our own clay scraps, and we do it communally. And so we collect it all in one bucket, and then we put it in one big trough.” Depending on students' output, those shared buckets can fill up twice a term. While recycling clay can extend its lifespan, the process also comes with challenges. Gunkelman said, “Depending on the chemical makeup of the clay, water-soluble minerals can leach out and lead to scumming.” He added, “For example, if you recycle clay made with nephelene syenite, the soluble sodium dissolves in water. As the water evaporates, it leaves sodium on the surface, which can cause glazes to melt at a lower temperature, which will cause all sorts of issues.” Ultimately, Gunkelman’s approach serves a larger purpose within the studio: minimizing environmental impact while teaching students the cyclical nature of clay. As he puts it, “Until you commit to firing it, it’s infinitely recyclable. So you can just use it over and over again for different projects.” Previous Next

Tristan Paulette '27 < Back Seussical to the stage! Tristan Paulette '27 Jan 17, 2025 AS Musical Theatre is a new class this school year created and taught by theatre director Kelly Dowling. Dowling enumerated the goals of the class. “The goal is to produce a whole show, but they get to choose that show… they’re doing Seussical and they’ll spend basically the rest of the class putting that together with some other assignments kind of sprinkled in.” Dowling also spoke to some of the logistical purposes of the class: “It really came out of our hope as an Arts Department that we could create opportunities for people in different times and spaces to take part in acting and productions. Obviously our PGA time is really difficult and people have to make hard choices. So we were hoping that by having this class, that if there’s someone who wants to do a musical but never has the time in the PGA, they would be able to do that.” The class this year has started small, with a eight-person crew taking part in the Seussical performance. Fynn Poulsen ’26, one of the students in the class, said, “We’re working on blocking the show and figuring out who’s which character in what scene and how we’re gonna do the show with eight people.” Even with that struggle, Poulsen noted the benefits of a smaller group: “I like that it’s a small class, so we’re a very tight-knit [group].” William Tutt ’25, who will play Cat in the Hat during Seussical, echoed this sentiment: “It’s a great sense of community for theater because in the PGA, you meet new people and then kind of switch out. But in this, it’s like you really get to know the people.” AS Musical Theatre has also given students the opportunity to learn the finer details of stage work. Janie Miller ’26, who will play Maizy in Seussical, stated, “We’re getting an opportunity to learn a whole bunch of the technical things that we don’t typically think about… We’re creating resumés and headshots and we’re finding classical monologues and contemporary monologues. We’re finding music for things we’re working on and We’ve also done a little bit of research on some historical aspects of musical theater through the different eras.” Tutt affirmed the importance of stage work knowledge, saying, “There’s a lot of work that goes into a play and we don’t have time for after school, like Stony Batter, so we have to really use our class time to specifically focus on our work. We have been looking at Shakespeare, an ASL thing, [and] we are doing some weird acting exercises, which is pretty fun.” Dowling also expanded on her plans for the future of advanced courses in the Arts Department. “If it goes through, there’ll be a new class called AS Classical Performance, which will be a term class. That would run in opposite years so there is that [physical] space.” Dowling elaborated further on the struggles of advanced acting courses at Mercersburg Academy. “One of our issues with higher level classes in theater is so many of our theatre students are also our singers and dancers, and it’s really hard to get the numbers to run those upper level classes.” Miller stated what she’s looking forward to in the play: “I’ve never really done a traveling production before so I think that’s gonna be really interesting… You have to be so smart with how you pack the vans and do all of that and just go out.” Tutt expressed similar hopes for the performance, saying, “I hope it will go well. I hope that we can inspire one kid to try and go for theatre.” Previous Next

Audrey Hua ‘26 < Back “The glorious beauty of Melissa Small” Audrey Hua ‘26 Jan 19, 2024 Still-life oil painter Melissa Small’s art is currently displayed in Mercersburg Academy’s Burgin Center for the Arts. An Awakening is showing in the Cofrin Gallery while the other collection, Layers of Vanity, occupies the corner gallery. Small's passion for art began in high school where a painting class opened a door to her future career. “I remember telling my painting teacher, Mrs. DeMartin, that I wanted to be an art teacher like her,” Small said. “She told me, 'No, go all the way,' implying that I should just be an artist. I feel lucky to be able to do both.” Aside from painting, Small teaches high school students full-time. “Creating art allows me to share things visually that cannot be translated into words,” Small said. Inspired by the gratification that painting brings her, and the joy she brings to collectors, Small shares this with her three daughters, teaching them what it means to be passionate about something. “They see me painting and understand that this is work for me, but work that I truly love,” said Small. The opportunity to exhibit at Mercersburg Academy came through a social media post that caught the attention of Small’s former schoolmate and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Mercersburg, Renata Williams. Although daunted at first by the transportation and taking care of her youngest child, Small ultimately felt the experience of displaying at Mercersburg merited the journey from Beacon, NY. Sydney Caretti, Director of Galleries, shared her choices in choosing Small beyond the connection with a current faculty member. “I am especially taken by the manner in which she includes the viewer in her work,” Caretti said. “While these realized botanical renderings could be only about the flora, Small includes a sense of space with a dedicated light source creating a shadow and also a hand, her or another's, holding the stem.” Small enjoys painting, and even more, the process of setting up her still life. “Choosing objects and arranging them physically is an art in itself,” she said. Occasionally, Small includes writing in her artwork, allowing her to “reconnect with writing while adding another dimension to my art. It's fun to create a story through painting things.” “In hosting an artist who reflects part of our student population,” Caretti said, “I truly hope our students experience an art narrative that is inclusive and comforting, by seeing someone who looks like them.” She also hopes students will be inspired to aim for excellence in the arts courses offered at Mercersburg. “It’s all about making connections and sparking inspiration while witnessing the glorious beauty of Melissa Small’s An Awakening, ” Caretti said. “Through my work, I hope to inspire viewers to be more thoughtful,” Small concluded. “In a world where we are overstimulated and bombarded with quick videos and tons of pictures, I hope my work encourages people to slow down and appreciate the beauty that surrounds them every day.” Previous Next

Ellie Shimaoka ‘26 < Back “Human Spotify”: John Rush Ellie Shimaoka ‘26 Nov 8, 2024 The Human Spotify event — a karaoke extravaganza filled with laughter, soulful singing, and live music — was held at the Fish Bowl on Saturday night, featuring special guest John Rush. Rush is not only a singer/songwriter, he is also a multi-instrumentalist who can play the guitar, piano, saxophone, bass, and many other instruments. He bills himself as a “Human Spotify” because he has memorized 85 hours of music from a range of genres, including contemporary pop and country. Regarding his ability to memorize so many songs, he said, “It comes with practice. Once you learn about 100 songs, you kind of learn the whole spectrum of music. Of course, some songs are harder than others, but you will know what you are dealing with in terms of the melody by then.” Rush has been making music for almost his entire life. He said, “I started playing the guitar at 10. Then, I went to school for arts and performance at the University of Georgia. After that, I moved to Nashville and started playing bars about 6 times a week for 10 years all over downtown. Now, I give interactive performances in different colleges and prep schools.” He is passionate about his craft because he loves to connect with people through music. Despite the obstacles, such as having to drive 15 hours just to reach a venue, he thrives on the stage. “I like being able to do live and being spontaneous,” he said. The energy of the audiencs continues to inspire him. On Saturday night, students gathered in SSC to sing while Rush played the guitar. Everybody seemed to be engaged and excited. Students sang with their friends, while the crowd cheered and occasionally sang along. Rush regularly engaged the crowd, asking participants questions so that he could get to know them and build a sense of connection. Perhaps the most memorable moment of the evening was when the song “Last Friday Night” by Katy Perry was requested. The song, familiar to everyone, turned the entire room into an impromptu dance party. William Tutt 25’ who sang on the stage during the event, reflected, “I just loved how enthusiastic John Rush was. I liked that people were being natural and were simply enjoying the moment, too.” Bella Levina ‘25 added, “It’s good to have live music back on campus. Especially because we used to have live bands that came to campus.” Also, Sarah Howley ‘26 recalled, “We had this event last year as well. He sings with you, so it is easier to participate.” Overall, participants seemed to love the inclusive atmosphere where everybody was welcome to sing. The event lasted 30 minutes longer than the scheduled time frame. All who volunteered had the chance to hold the spotlight, and participants left the stage with a shared sense of satisfaction and joy. It was more than just a karaoke event; that night, we came together as a community. Previous Next

Shelly Shen '26 < Back Metaphors and music at Fall Spoken Word Shelly Shen '26 Oct 18, 2024 As Mercersburg welcomed changing leaves and the chill in the wind, students gathered on the Irvine Hall porch to watch or perform in another Spoken Word. This fall's Spoken Word drew a large crowd excited to see how the show would turn out. Spoken Word began with Thomas Zhu’s ‘26 cello concerto solo, a classical yet epic piece of music that set the tone for a formal yet no less calming and intimate environment. According to Michele Poacelli, a huge modification to the entire event is the addition of musical talents, such as singing and instrumentals. “Spoken Words don't need to be literal,” said Poacelli after the show. “I think it’s just the idea of a sharing of expression, whether it’s spoken expression, musical expression, but just the sharing of expressions important to students.” There was a mixture of musical and literary elements. William Luo ‘27 sang with the accompaniment of an African drum, Pema Namdol ‘27 sang with Jerry Jin ‘26, Ethan Stiffler sang and played the guitar, and Reagan Houpt ‘25 gave a dramatic story on his real-life experience with skunk’s stink being mistaken for a chemical burning. A few freshmen also performed exceptionally as rising stars for the Mercersburg Academy. Poetry, sing-alongs, and comedy performances all received applause and encouragement. The song performances that stood out came from Kaodi Nzeribe ‘28, Luo, and Kesienna Mononia ‘28 gaining high audience engagement and attracting much support from their friends even though the performers experienced awkwardness and nervousness initially. “I loved William’s piece. He was playing a drum but the whole audience was singing along, and it felt really cohesive,” said Anne Sehon ‘25, one of the two hosts of this season’s show. This year also offered special memories for the returning students, who either decided to change up their usual expressive styles or take a new step forward to honor the past. Cohost Sehon decided to read a poem instead of performing a song, and the other host, Houpt, offered a reading piece for entertainment. Poacelli expressed great appreciation to those who volunteered and spent time setting up for the event. “That whole atmosphere, the way it felt cozy, was all thanks to Ms. Dumont. She bought those red tablecloths, she thought about the set up with the tables, with how pretty they were with the candles with the little red leaves.” This event helped to conclude the first half of the fall term and effectively demonstrated the cozy communal spirit that links everyone together through talent-sharing and unique engagement with one another. Previous Next

Brooke Shiber ’28 < Back A Bittersweet Finale Brooke Shiber ’28 Apr 24, 2026 On Friday night, April 17, Jazz Band, Magalia, Octet, and Strings performed their last concert of the school year: the Spring Pops Concert. For some, it was their last Mercersburg Academy performance, which evoked emotion from students and faculty alike. The same day the school received news of two tragedies–the passing of a recent young alum and a staff member. As a result, an underlying tone of grief lingered throughout the concert. Strings conductor Michael Cameron addressed this honorably and beautifully. The first piece that Strings played, “Theme of Schindler’s List,” featuring Lisa Wei ’26 on the violin, was dedicated to the memory of those who had passed. Cameron said that this was the least he could do. James Brinson, conductor of Magalia and Octet, said that this was one of the most moving moments of the concert. “Lisa played so well,” he added. Next, Strings played “Bella Cubana,” an Afro-Caribbean tune. “Keystone,” which Cameron described as “fast and angular,” concluded the repertoire. Grace Jin ’29 echoed this sentiment, stating, “It was, at times, hard to stay on tempo, but we got used to it and I enjoyed it a lot.” After Strings, the Jazz Band took the stage. Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” was a big hit, featuring solos from Matthew Kobrick ’28, Zara Kimotho ’28. Maddie Mamoudis ’27 stated that this was one of her favorite songs from the setlist because it is “popular and nostalgic.” She added that she also enjoyed playing and learning “Lester Leaps In” by legendary saxophonist Lester Young. Throughout the Jazz performance, Emily Guzic ’28, Wil Kipe ’27, Harry Cameron ’26, Phuong Vo ’27, and other members of the performance groups were also featured as soloists. Mamoudis shared, “Harry is insane at the drums; our band will miss him dearly, as well as all of the other seniors like Alli Caretti.” Cameron himself mentioned, “I thought I’d be used to playing by now, but I still get a little bit nervous… all the pieces are difficult and challenging, but Mr. Beni makes them enjoyable.” According to Jazz Band conductor Shami Beni, “[The] music was challenging and we had to dig deep. But once we got it, it was so fun to play.” A cappella groups Magalia and Octet concluded the evening’s program with lighter pieces, standards like “Moon River” and “Mr. Blue Sky.” While Rebecca Robinson ’28 enjoyed performing “Mr. Blue Sky” the most, William Luo ’27 preferred “Moon River” as “it had a very gradual flow to it.” Luo also shared insight into the rehearsing process: “Practicing was definitely challenging because we had only four guys, but everyone is dedicated, which made the process easier.” Three altos from Magalia volunteered to join the Octet because of a shortage of members. On this matter, James Brinson said, “I’m always thankful and proud of how our singers step up to the plate when it comes time to perform… Both groups do a great job at blending with other voices to be a part of something bigger than themselves.” The Spring Pops Concert was one full of emotion, defined by lingering grief, but also gratitude for the school’s community of loving students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Cameron said, “We can never forget how large a role the audience plays in a successful performance.” All three conductors expressed pride in their students. Cameron noted it was “a real honor to work with them.” Beni said he was “very proud of the kids overall.” And Brinson remarked he was “so grateful for their dedication.” Previous Next

Audrey Hua '26 < Back Dance Dance Recreation Audrey Hua '26 Oct 20, 2023 Making its debut at Mercersburg Academy annual Club Fair, The Recreational Dance Club, known colloquially as Dance Club, is a brand-new group created to introduce all students—both proficient and inexperienced—to the world of dance. Maggie Coors ‘25, one of Dance Club’s founders, said, “We want to gain new members and get people excited about learning to dance in a judgment-free space.” Another founder, Sophia Mielke ‘25, agreed: “We just want it to be a beginner space.” Elizabeth Orders ‘25, the third founder said, “A lot of people have bad experiences with it [dance] as a child and so we really want to make it more fun for them…Maybe people will even find a love for dance and end up joining the PGA, or start pursuing the academic classes.” “I joined [Dance Club] because I really want to get into dancing, even when I don’t have the time,” said Margaux d’Arabian ‘25. “I used to dance but I stopped when I came here, so I want to follow up with old passions,” Crystal Chiu ‘25 added. Avallina Orfield ‘25 said, “I want to learn how to get groovy on the dance floor.” Going on, Orfield admitted, “I tried out [dance PGA] one winter term in my freshman year, and got rejected.” But that didn’t deter her from joining Dance Club. Jaidee Promphan ‘25 and Marlo Williams ‘25 both said that they want to have fun dancing and learn the basics. In addition to joining, herself, Orfield persuaded Bella Levina ‘25, to sign up. "I think every person should learn how to move the body. Dance really helps you understand your body better and connect with it,” said Levina. With winter approaching, Dance Club encourages students and faculty alike to drop in on one of the club meetings to work up an effortless, yet fun sweat, while spinning across the floor with friends. After all, anyone can dance. Previous Next

Maggie Coors ‘25 < Back Arting around Maggie Coors ‘25 Apr 21, 2023 Advanced Studies: Studio Art, taught by Sydney Caretti, is offered to students in grade 11. The studio course allows creative and motivated students to develop their artistic techniques in a variety of media. The class highly values the creative process, as well as the final works that the students create. Throughout the year, students record their process in a sketchbook and receive one-on-one feedback from their instructor, as well as group feedback from the other students in the class. Students challenge themselves by learning and exploring new art styles and media. Ivy Chan says, “Since my primary art form is photography, I struggled to draw and paint in class. That was a significant challenge at first, but Mrs. Caretti gave me the appropriate guidance. I also spent a lot of my free time investigating how to draw or paint, and I became better as I practiced more.” The class is a mix of instruction and individual student research. Caretti says, “It's a complete joy to witness the growth and confidence that these fine artists are able to achieve in such a short time all because of their artistic dedication, the incredible resources and facilities available to them, and the opportunities we make to gather as a group.” Students study art and artists throughout history and across different cultures, then create a piece of art that connects their research to their artwork. This gives students the incredible opportunity to develop and convey their individual artistic voices within a cultural context. Students practice constructive critiquing, learning the language and the analytical approach which they can use to evaluate their own work across the year. “These Excellent Eight are curious creatives who support and challenge one another in personal, visual expression. How lucky am I?!?!” Caretti asks. Along with learning and creating, studio art students have a lot of fun. “By request of the Excellent Eight, in the Fall and Winter Terms we had optional late-night evening meetings where the music is pumping and the creative energy is flowing getting the college vibe on!” Caretti says. And the learning is not confined to the classroom. “ My favorite part so far has been the trip to New York. We were able to explore galleries in New York, view an artist's apartment, and even attend a figure drawing class; all of which I would not have had access to had I not joined the class. Also, since it's such a small class, we've each been given more direct attention from Mrs. Caretti, who always gives incredible feedback,” says Erica Sowah. Unlike many art options available at Mercersburg Academy, AS Studio Art is for those artists who intend to continue their work beyond high school. “Overall, I love the class because it is a year-long art class, meaning we have a full school year to learn more about ourselves and our individual art styles, which is something that we can take with us after the school year has ended,” says Sowah. The class was open to 8 students this year but is expanding to 10 students next year. Before taking this class, students must have completed the second level of a visual art class and must receive department approval. Current lower-middlers and juniors should definitely consider taking the class when they can. “ I was really into arts and design and had taken a lot of visual classes at that time, so I decided, why not join!” says Ivy Chan. Previous Next

Maggie Coors ’25 < Back Riding the Cyclone Maggie Coors ’25 Feb 16, 2024 Last weekend, Mercersburg Academy’s Stony Batter Players performed the musical Ride The Cyclone. The show's lead actors included Keri-Ann Denis ’25, William Tutt ’25, Crystal Chiu ’25, Finn McNeil ’26, Janie Miller ’26, Fynn Poulsen ’26, and Ary Small ’27, along with a talented cast of ensemble members. The show depicts a high school choir group that takes a field trip to an amusement park and dies riding a roller coaster called the Cyclone. The start of the show takes place after they have already died, and a fortune teller decides to hold a competition in which the winner is revived. Each character performs a hilarious song to explain why they should be the one to get a second chance at life. During the show, one of the main characters who lost her head during an previous roller coaster accident remains a mystery to the cast. This character, Jane Doe, played by Denis, displays an intrigue that adds a level of mystery to the plot. The show was extremely funny and entertaining. There was well-timed comedic dialogue and absurd musical numbers that kept the audience engaged throughout. One of the most interesting parts of the show is that all of the characters had unique characteristics and distinctive musical styles. Each character was perfectly cast. The actors did an incredible job of embodying their individual characters and were able to bring their roles to life. The production used aerial choreography to make the characters fly through the air, which added a level of complexity for the actors and crew, but brought the performance to another level and thoroughly impressed the audience. Denis in particular was able to do impressive aerial choreography while performing complicated vocals that left the audience in awe. During this, she even hung upside down while she sang! The costumes and set design worked well with the musical and it was clear that a lot of thought had gone into producing the show. My favorite part of the show was the musical numbers. The singing was skillful and the choreography and staging were extremely entertaining. As for the musical itself, I went into the show already knowing the plot, but I have heard from many people that it was hard to follow if you didn’t already have prior knowledge. Despite this, I thought that the show was very visually enjoyable and it was obvious that the cast and the crew had put an immense level of effort into it. Previous Next

Rhiannon Myhre '25 < Back Looking toward to-Morrow Rhiannon Myhre '25 Sep 22, 2023 This year, Mercersburg Academy is pleased to welcome Kristen Morrow, who comes all the way from Austin, Texas Mercersburg’s music department. One can find Morrow in the Burgin Center co-teaching choral and Band; she will also assist with Octet and Magalia, as well as serve as the vocal director and pit conductor for the winter musical. Morrow welcomed the school community at Convocation, leading the Chorale in a beautiful rendition of A Million Dreams from the hit film The Greatest Showman . It was evident from her first performance that Morrow will be a great fit, showing the same strong passion for the arts that has long characterized the music faculty. Morrow first came to Mercersburg because of her love for boarding school: “I have always loved the boarding school environment and I have taught at a wide variety of schools, including public schools, independent day schools, and boarding schools in the past. However, the last time that I was in the boarding school environment was about 15 years ago and I realized how much I truly missed it,” adding, “When this position came up I knew that it was the perfect opportunity to get me back into the boarding school universe and closer to my family and friends, so when I put in for this job it all just seemed right.” Morrow gave some insight into her musical background. “Growing up, my father was a music teacher. He taught band, chorus, and orchestra and all of those things while also playing the organ, the piano, and just all of the instruments… so that is what I grew up around. I have always had a love for music and so I personally started taking lessons around the age of five. Later in high school I was in the marching band, orchestra, choir, and it was all very eclectic, but it was always fun.” Previous Next

Arpi Karapetyan '24 < Back Aliens, drugs, or just too much free time Arpi Karapetyan '24 Feb 3, 2023 Minimalism, abstract expressionism, and op-art reached their heyday in the 20th century, and their popularity has not waned. Combine that fact with the trend of “posing next to art we think we could easily create ourselves,” and the sum is hubris, represented by the brash idea that “my neighbour’s kid makes better drawings, and he’s in second grade.” Think about the stark example of a large green square on a yellow background, and you’ll have an idea of such arrogance. When folks encounter paintings that are complex (for example, “The Garden of Earthly Delights”), they might assume the artist is a superhuman being. After all, if they can’t produce it, then why should any person be able to? With the fast pace of life, such folks would deem it impossible for anyone to have the freedom to paint something so elaborate, so intricate. To them, it seems silly for a single person to dedicate 20 years to a painting so detailed that it would take another 20 years to study every square inch. Right? Wrong. From 1490 to 1510, Dutch artist, Hieronymus Bosch dedicated his life to the painting he titled “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” a triptych work spanning three canvases depicting, from left to right, the Garden of Eden, Earth, and Hell. The original is currently housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain. The piece is filled with symbolism, and every brushstroke on the canvas has meaning. Bosch didn’t just get bored and start filling empty space with owls, flying fish, and pigs dressed as nuns kissing for the fun of it. He planned the painting with methodical and mathematical precision. At the same time, though, the work depicts ideas that were nearly unheard of at the time, leading some to believe that Bosch was taking hallucinogens. Part of me wants to agree with the theory, but another part of me hates it. Why have people decided that individuals can no longer be creative unless they are under the influence of a randomly-chosen drug? Previous Next

Maddie Stonebraker ‘27 < Back Alfred Ma: from student to mentor Maddie Stonebraker ‘27 Nov 8, 2024 A lfred Ma ‘25 is a four-year member of the school’s band and a music department teaching assistant (TA); he has made history at Mercersburg as the first student selected for the Pennsylvania All-State Concert Band. In addition, his musical excellence has earned him an Associate’s Diploma from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). This prestigious milestone recognizes his advanced technical skills and dedication to music. Now in his senior year at Mercersburg Academy, Ma reflected on the achievements and challenges that have marked his journey as a dedicated musician, leader, and mentor. Ma spoke with enthusiasm and gratitude about his musical journey at Mercersburg. “My experiences with the band have been great. Having been a player in the band for four years now, I can confidently say it is a great program that continues to grow,” he says. This year, Ma has taken on the new role of TA, supporting younger students in their musical learning, an experience he acknowledges as both challenging and rewarding. “It has been difficult adapting to the role of TA in the band, as I’ve had no experience teaching others and I’m learning a lot every day,” he reflected. Shami Beni, Mercersburg’s band director, highlights Ma’s growth as a musician and mentor, praising his resilience and humility. “He’s been a part of the music department since freshman year, not just as a player but as a leader. This year, he’s been a strong leader in the music department, helping foster a sense of practice and belonging among other students,” Beni says. “Alfred is great with criticism and is very open to learning new things that he didn’t know before, using that knowledge to improve himself and other students. Overall, he’s grown a lot, not just as a musician but as a person.” Ma credits his growth to mentors like Beni and Professor Steven Mead of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, UK. Mead, regarded as one of the world’s leading euphonium players, has shaped Ma’s musical path by inspiring him to pursue music performance as a college major. Under Mead’s guidance, Ma feels his musicianship has “improved exponentially.” In addition to his technical accomplishments, Ma is preparing a feature piece for the upcoming spring concert. It is a personal project that marks his final year at Mercersburg. Reflecting on what he has learned throughout his musical journey, he offers advice to younger students interested in music: “Enjoy the music you play and don’t chase achievements. The passion naturally drives you to improve and will provide much more fulfillment.” Looking forward, Ma hopes to continue to develop his talents in college and eventually as a professional musician. Beni speaks for the entire department when he says, “Overall, Alfred is a great person and musician, and I hope he continues in the music field.” With his technical skill, humility, and passion, Ma has left his legacy at Mercersburg Academy. Previous Next