Writing and Photos by John Sorrel
About a week ago, the Iberia Parish School System hosted a recital for their gifted and talented music students in the New Iberia Senior High School auditorium. For a few hours, families and friends of the program were treated to some amazing performances by students including solo and group singing, instrument solos and even a few small band numbers. Those performing included students from elementary to high school. It was indeed a treat!
What was so amazing was how good these young women and men were. It was obvious each performer put lots of work into their recital pieces and possessed the gift of music. While taking pictures, I had the chance to visit with several students. One of those students was Myla Bonin who has been in the program since the 6th grade. Her family has a deep love for music, so it was natural she would start her journey in music at an early age. Her primary instrument is the piano. She has been playing classical piano for ten years.
Being in the “Talent” program has meant the world to her. When she began, she had stage fright, but the program would help her to become the complete opposite. She displayed a captivating stage presence when I saw her perform. It was wonderful talking with her. What stood out in our conversations was her joyful and bubbly personality. The little girl who was once shy has become a confident woman who serves as the “Voice of NISH,” in addition to wearing many other hats. Her resume of achievements is long. Currently she serves as student body president at NISH while maintaining straight A's and perfect attendance. When she beings college she will have already knocked out many courses through dual enrollment credit earned while in high school.
Her passion for music was obvious as we spoke. Through the “Talent” program she would be exposed to amazing teachers, who would inspire her to expand her musical talents through learning to play the Ukulele and Acoustic Guitar in addition to singing. She performed several pieces for the recital showing her multifaceted talent as a musician and singer. When asked why she believes the program is important, she shared it helped her develop self-confidence, gave her a place to express her gifts and allowed her to form friendships along the way. Being a part of the “Talent” program helped her to see she is special and has a gift to share that inspires others. What she has gained through music and theatre has influenced successes in other areas of her life.
In our conversation Myla said, “Music is the world’s only universal language.” She spoke of experiences she had through "Festival International" where she meet musicians from different parts of the world. Beaming with excitement, she talked about how she was moved deep within her soul from the rhythm and melodies though she couldn't understand the lyrics of some of the performances she heard. Myla is indeed a special woman who lives with purpose to help others through her music gifts as well as her future pursuits. Her family has had to deal with medical challenges requiring travel to other parts of the country for treatment. This has inspired her to pursue an education in medicine. In the fall she will be attending Tulane University to major in molecular biology. Myla is one of many students who have inspiring stories to share about why the “Talent” program, offered by Iberia Parish, is so important.
This weekend I had a chance to speak with Paul Schexnayder who is a famous artist that lives and works in New Iberia. He is also one of the "Talent Program" teachers. One of the most amazing things about Paul is he is color blind. It is miraculous when you consider the bold color pallet used throughout his art. Paul’s art, is off the charts incredible. In the beginning of our conversation Paul told me how the program got started. In 1999, Melissa Bonin, leading contemporary artist from New Iberia, and Judy Huckabey, master gift teacher in Iberia Parish, designed the talent program for exceptionally talented children in Iberia Parish. It all started in the visual arts though as the years rolled along music and theatre would be added. In 2000 they would bring Paul on staff.
Before this, he had been teaching art at ESA when not at work in his studio. I asked Paul about the process of a child getting into the program. He explained a potential student can be evaluated to enter the program as early as the first grade. First, they must be referred by a teacher or parent. Afterwards they complete some paperwork and submit a portfolio, which in the case of music or theatre can be a tape of them performing. From here they are evaluated by state testers.
As we spoke he shared with me a general idea of what typically occurs in the visual arts part of the program prior to the end of the year showcase. He explained the program picks a theme for the year. This year the theme was money. Teachers work with students to create what they will exhibit or perform at the end of the year showcase around this theme. Some students enter competitions outside of the “Talent Program.” This year 7th grade students from Delcambre won a competition put on by Acadiana Lifestyles for a feature they were doing on money. Their art was used as the cover for this publication.
As our interview reached a conclusion, I asked Paul why he feels the “Talent” Program is important and finally what drew him to it. First on his list was that the program helps kids find what they are good at. Paul talked about how students often find their purpose or gift. He mentioned students he knew that only stayed in school because of the “Talent” program. Some students natural abilities are not always academic or athletic, but artistic. Paul mentioned a key benefit is that students in the program receive one on one instruction.
When talking about what drew him to the program, Paul said it was his “dream” job as an artist. Each day is something new to him, as he and other teachers in the program, travel to different schools each day serving the young men and women of New Iberia. He stated he feels like an artist teaching and not someone simply teaching art. For him, being a part of the “Talent Program” is how he shares his legacy with younger minds. As a “Talent” teacher he gets to share his love for art and experience from being a professional artist with those who may one day become professional artists themselves. Finally, Paul mentioned those hired to work in this program are often professional artists, musicians or actors. They get to pass on real life experience gained as masters in their respective fields.
As I sat at the computer processing photos and remembering the incredible experience I had watching the recital, my mind drifted to the unsung heroes in this program, the teachers. Parents and visitors applauded the phenomenal performances put on by students while the three teachers who made this possible worked behind the scenes. One of the teachers is my very own sister, Nanette Sorrel. Before I say more, I will admit I’m extremely biased when it comes to her. She is my oldest sibling and a woman I admire and love. What she brings to the program, like Paul, and the other teachers, is a lifetime of experience starting from when she was a young girl taking Piano for the first time. Nanette has been playing Piano for over fifty years.
Like Myla, she learned how to play several instruments in her lifetime. In high school she played multiple instruments for the band and was the band president. But of all the instrument she learned, Piano was her life’s calling as an artist. Nanette would graduate with honors and receive a scholarship from the University of Southwestern Louisiana for Piano. Early in her life she began raising a family. Of the things I admire about her the most, is her devotion to her kids and grandkids. She is a Godly woman who has raised a wonderful family. In the background of her busy life has been countless hours at the piano.
At the age of 57 she enrolled back into college to complete her college education. After years of balancing her duties as a mother, wife, and grandmother she would set out on a course to complete what she had begun long ago. About five years later she graduated from ULL. Along the way she acquired her credentials as a Nationally Certified Piano Instructor. This was an incredibly challenging process. Right out of school God would bless her with the opportunity of a lifetime. She was hired as a music instructor for the “Talent” program. Nanette is an exceptional teacher. She has been teaching Piano privately for decades. Kids love her! There is a beautiful story behind each of the teachers, like Paul and Nanette, working tirelessly to inspire and develop Iberia Parish “Talent” students.
As we come to the close of this article, what I hope each reader takes away is how important “arts education” is to our local community, state, and country. Yes, I agree with Myla about music being a “universal language.” Often it is through the language of art we share love. Through "art education" we are helping young minds find their voice as storytellers. Art programs allow students to discover their unique gifts, and in turn become their best selves. From this they give to the world around them hope.
Since I was nine years old, I have been playing acoustic guitar and somewhere along the line found a love I didn’t know I had for photography. In my life I have suffered with crippling anxiety. Often it has been those private times playing the guitar or taking pictures that have helped me find relief. Through my gifts as an artist, I would gain self-confidence and focus. I would learn that growing required a healthy approach to processing criticism. My artistic talents would help me discover I have a voice and something worth sharing, be it through a music score, photography or writing.
I’m almost sixty and learning more than I ever imagined. Much of my time is now devoted to mastering photography. My life was spent as a science instructor. To be honest, I never saw myself as a photographer or writer, but here I am. What has been a common theme running through my life is that God gifted me with a creative spirit. Now with less time ahead than behind me I am discovering a new purpose for my life as a storyteller.
Without art, music, and theatre in school I may have never discovered my creative spirit. So, I close with sharing a little about myself, not to bring focus to me, but to put exclamation point behind how vital it is we support the funding of art education and “Talent” programs, like those found in Iberia Parish.
There were many photos from the recital. Click on "Gallery" on our home page. Next, click on events and you will find the gallery. Go ahead and watch the slideshow set to some catchy music.
Wow, great article and photos!