Seats are empty, instruments have been left to collect dust, stage lights are off.  Distance learning has made it difficult for students to rehearse, perform, and collaborate. In spite of all of this year’s challenges, students have continued to find refuge in their artistic pursuits. Wilde Lake’s band director Mr. Green adapted his band to the virtual world, but has taken a different approach...

Virtual learning is hard. Learning music virtually is even harder, and students and teachers alike are feeling the effects of trying to carry on as a separated ensemble.  Anywhere where art relied on an audience, quiet has stood in excitement’s place for over a year. Due to the pandemic, all learning and performances were made virtual. Virtual learning has made learning music difficult in...

Lifelong musician Hwanee Pak and lifelong dancer Lily Garrah joined forces to create an original story for Gene Koshinski’s “Afternoon in March” during online learning and didn’t have to work in-person together once.  Hwanee and Lily started talking soon after the pandemic closed schools, initially bonding over the college application process. He approached her with a project shortly...

Emma Bohse has been dancing for most of her life. She has been a part of the Dance Company (DCo) for all four years of high school. She has also been a competitive dancer since the age of eight, and is now committed to dance for the Penn State Lionettes. As a senior, she now must follow the DCo tradition of co-choreographing a senior dance with her peers. Performing this piece is her last opportunity...

Theater veteran Skyler Merchant has spent nearly a decade on the stage.  But, she was forced to put down the microphone and wipe off the makeup when COVID shut schools down. After a year of being secluded in her home, she is now at the helm of the Wilde Lake theater department alongside fellow Drama Club co-presidents Laura McHale and Sydney Cox.  Skyler, Laura, and Sydney spent the summer...