By Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. ― Dance. Music. Theater.
Sammy Ho was the opening act with his rendition of “We Will Rock You” at the Huntington Beach Central Library Theater. Photo by Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet
That’s what the students of the Piano Place Music and Arts Center have been learning, and on Monday, they put on the Summer Serenade show for their families and other spectators in the theater at the Huntington Beach Central Library. More than 100 young people took part, showing off what they had learned from a team of dedicated instructors.
One drummer tapped along to Queen’s iconic “We Will Rock You,” with the audience applauding. When the dancers took the stage, it was as if the audience members were in the same world as the performers. Those who haven’t seen the movie “Frozen” didn’t have to as the dancers told the story. Few members of the audience got teary eyed when one of the young dancers got off stage crying from being afraid or just relieved that the performance was over.
When the pianists played a familiar tune, the audience joined in. The whole theater started to sing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” instantly when the first note was played. Some of the audience clapped to the rhythm of the tune to stop the young ones from feeling too nervous.
The audience, mainly parents of the young performers, clearly was entertained by the music and dance. The emotions of the performers when they were on stage were felt throughout the theater. The audience supported the performers for their hard work and dedication.
It was a fast-paced show where the acts lasted about a minute or two each to fit each performer into the two-hour show.
Piano Place Music and Arts Center is a family-run business in Westminster. Students range in age from 5 to 14.
Francis Rios, executive director, took over the studio when his father passed away about a year ago.
Erma and Silas Jensen danced to the tune of “Fixer Upper” from the movie “Frozen.” Photo by Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet.
“I started this program with my father when I was a little boy several years ago. As the years flew by, this program gets bigger and evolves as well,” Rios said.
Rios dedicated this concert to his father, and it was a fitting tribute.
“This is the biggest show we have hosted. It is not only pianists performing, there are dancers, drummers, and guitarists,” Rios said.
Performers said they enjoyed taking part.
Guitarist Joseph Huynh from Westminster said he learned a lot in his preparation for the recital. He said he picked up the guitar about two years ago but now can play tunes.
“I really like this program and learned how to play guitar from the instructors,” he said. “I was nervous at first, but when I started to play ‘Au clair de la lune,’ I got into my comfort zone. That’s the reason I decided to play guitar. It comforts me.”
Matthew Hoang, from Westminster, enrolled in the program to learn to play the drums. “It has been a month, and I have learned a lot and hope to do well tonight,” Hoang said while getting ready backstage.
Brandon Lam, with the help of his instructor, performed “The Siamese Cat Song” from the Disney classic movie, “Lady and the Tramp.” Photo by Tam Nguyen/Nguoi Viet.
Augustina Rios, studio director, said she was proud of the performance by her students.
“I’m sure they were nervous and had stage fright, but they did great,” she said.
Augustina Rios also was involved with the program when she was young, helping her father to run the studio. “It started out small and was a program only for pianists. Then it got bigger with more instruments and dance, so basically the studio grew into a full on art center,” Augustina Rios said.
Francis Rios said the Summer Serenade was a great way to showcase the growing number of students.
“We are more than happy to see more students coming to our class sessions. We have some of the top music instructors in our area,” said Francis Rios.
Piano Place Music and Arts Center is located at 14441 Beach Blvd. in Westminster, Calif. For information about enrolling into the studio’s programs, call (714) 899-4823.
