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Cole Sutherland (cello) and Tommy Severson (piano) got their start “noodling” around just a couple of months ago and a great partnership was born! Tommy started playing piano at 5 and has just started his 11th year of formal lessons. He enjoys playing jazz and contemporary pieces. He accompanies various choirs and writes and composes his own music for piano and guitar. He also sings and plays in the Boise based pop band, One Step More and sings in his high school’s elite choir. Cole began playing cello at 10 in his elementary school orchestra and with his talent and 5 years of formal lessons from amazing teachers, he’s grown in talent and ability. He currently plays for 3 orchestras, including the Boise Youth Philharmonic and Timberline High School’s Chamber Orchestra, while also playing at weddings and events. This duo loves collaborating and they look forward to many more opportunities to share their talents with their community.
The Electric Rock Orchestra is composed of Idaho Arts Charter School’s finest instrumentalists. The group merges genres and styles by combining a rock band set up with a string orchestra, innovative and original compositions, as well as arrangements of well known rock songs. Established by former orchestra director Christina Jenkins, and now led by Dr. Nick Harker, ELRO will continue to set a standard of musical excellence not only for Idaho Arts Charter School, but for the musical community.
Mikayla has been a singer for as long as she can remember. “It sounds so silly but my parents got me a karaoke machine on Christmas when I was young and there were many hours spent finding my voice on that. My dad plays the guitar and taught me to play. He also got me my very own guitar when I was 15- a pink acoustic. I owe much of my love of music to my parents.” She didn’t perform much until high school when her friends, family, and choir really pushed her to get out of her comfort zone and share her voice.
Cooper started playing the piano at age 6. He was a band kid in middle school playing the trumpet, trombone baritone and French horn. He developed his voice in High School while participating in choir. Teaching piano lessons helped him earn enough money to buy his keyboard and he discovered a passion for arranging, writing, performing and recording.
Cooper and Mikayla became friends through high school choir and share many musical ambitions. They have busked at the market and collaborated on two back yard concerts. Fun fact: This song is the first duet they performed together 3 years ago.
The Encore Carolers are part of Encore Theatre Company and have been performing together for 18 years. Most years you would see them singing at tree lightings around the valley as well as at the Festival of Trees and dozens of assisted living facilities.
Their music director, Bette Dale Moore, recently retired from teaching music in schools and leading the RAD choirs for many years. She wrote this arrangement of Jingle Bells.This has been a challenging year for many but they have still been able to perform both live and virtually for a few groups and at Caldwell’s Winter Wonderland.