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Date: 4/24/2015
CHICOPEE – For 27 talented performing arts students at Holyoke Catholic High School, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arrives on April 21.
“For the children it is an opportunity of a lifetime to perform on a stage in Walt Disney World,” said Eva Stockhamer during a recent interview with Reminder Publications. “So many wonderful things are performed there each day, so to say you performed there is such an honor and a memory they will take with them.”
A Broadway song list will showcase the talents of the students who perform regularly as part of the school’s performing arts department, under the direction of Stockhamer.
Students scheduled to perform include Julianne Bedore, Lauren Brill, Michaela Calabrese, Rebecca Duffy, Lauren Fedor, Jordan Green, Noah Green, Scott Hebert, Julia Hiney, Carly Jillson, Alexa Keough, Abbie Malouin, Kay Montano, Hailey Normandin, Lyndsey Pisano, Cristina Roselli, Victoria Santos, Rebecca Shannon, Brett St. Onge, Brianna Stockhamer, Christine Winberg, Molly Yarrows, Cameron Zweir, Brad Zweir, Isabelle Bergeron, Julie Geoffrey and Patrick Moskal.
For Stockhamer, the Disney performance has a two-fold meaning.
“This is also my daughter’s final performance under my direction because she is a senior at Holyoke Catholic,” she said, adding, “this is a memory for our family as well.”
Stockhamer will be assisted by Dr. Todd Rovelli, musical director, and Darryl Geoffrey, backstage manager.
“Many of the parents, siblings, grandparents and other guests will be there to support the students too,” said Stockhamer.
The troupe will perform an array of songs from “Hakuna Matata,” “Seasons of Love,” “Do You Want To Build A Snowman?,” and “Putting on the Ritz,” to “Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” and “Friend Like Me.”
“We keep with the Broadway song list for the most part,” said Stockhamer, adding that dance numbers and a tumble performance are also planned.
Stockhamer is proud of her performing arts students and noted that Disney chose the group after reviewing a video for vocal quality and still photographs for costume quality.
“As a director it reminds me of how fortunate we are to have such talented children and dedicated families to take to Disney,” she said.
For exactly 25 minutes on April 21 on the Waterside Stage at Walt Disney World, all eyes will be on the students – a keepsake memory for them, their families and a treat for the Disney visitors.