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TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT—SOME TICKETS MAY BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR BEGINNING AT 3:15PM.
This year, Saturday Morning Arts turns five! Join us for a joyous celebration of our Trenton and Princeton University students, featuring performances by Trenton Youth Dancers, Orchestra, Singers, and Theater. The event will conclude with a collaborative performance involving all four groups—a historic first for SMArts. LIVESTREAM> PROGRAM>
Free and ticketed. RESERVE TICKETS>
If you can no longer attend, please turn back tickets by emailing [email protected].
FREE PARKING LOTS
- Lot 8 (Google Map directions)
- Lot 10 (Google Map directions)
PARKING GARAGES
- Chambers Street Garage (Google Map directions)
- Hulfish Garage (Google Map directions)
METERED PARKING available on University Place (near Lot 8), Nassau Street, Williams Street (near Lot 10), and Prospect Avenue.
WALKING DIRECTIONS TO RICHARDSON FROM PARKING AREAS
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
TRENTON YOUTH DANCERS (TYD) is a co-curricular dance program for students from Trenton Central High School and Trenton Ninth Grade Academy. The mission of TYD is to educate Trenton students in a wide variety of dance styles so that they are equipped to develop their own choreography. During weekly rehearsals, TYD members participate in guest workshops led by Princeton student dance groups, as well as group choreography workshops. Rehearsals take place every Saturday from 10AM to 1PM in the Roberts Dance Studio.
TRENTON YOUTH THEATER (TYT) is a co-curricular theater program for students from Trenton Central High School and Trenton Ninth Grade Academy. Inspired by Princeton’s holistic approach to theater, TYT exposes Trenton students to all aspects of theater-making. During weekly rehearsals, TYT members work with their Princeton student coaches on developing specific skills related to theater, such as directing, acting, and lighting design. Members then create their own works of theater. Rehearsals take place every Saturday from 10AM to 1PM in the Godfrey-Kerr Theater Studio and Light Lab.
ANDREW KANEB is a songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn, New York. He began studying music at the age of seven, when he started taking classical violin lessons. After playing in various chamber groups and orchestras at the New England Conservatory, Andrew attended Princeton University, where he obtained a minor in music composition. Andrew graduated from Princeton in 2022 and is now in his second and final year of a master’s degree in music composition at New York University. Primarily a songwriter, Andrew records and performs under the stage name Kaneb Andrews. His music blends influences from classic rock, indie, electronic, classical, and other genres. He has performed at various historic New York City venues, including the Bitter End, Mercury Lounge, and Rockwood Music Hall. Andrew also enjoys composing long-format music for film and dance. His all-time favorite musician is Bob Dylan. You can contact Andrew via email at [email protected] or on Instagram at @kanebandrews, and you can find his music on all streaming platforms under the name Kaneb Andrews. This is his Richardson Auditorium debut.
ROSELYN SAMAYOA is a junior at Trenton Central High School, where she serves as the pianist for the school orchestra. She started learning piano two years ago as a student at Trenton Ninth Grade Academy. Roselyn also serves as the pianist for the Trenton Youth Orchestra, through which she studies piano with Julia Kingston ’25. She is an avid painter and was recently awarded Second Place in the annual Express the Arts contest for her painting of Baroque violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte. Last year, Roselyn was inducted into the National Honor Society, and she currently participates in TRIO Upward Bound at Mercer County Community College. This is her Richardson Auditorium debut.
A New York native of Colombian descent, DANIEL MORENO is a guitarist, lutenist, and educator. He is prizewinner of the Fellowship Award of the Lanciano International Guitar Festival 2024. Recent performances include the Young Musicians Forum Concert Series in New York and East Meadow Library. He has also performed in esteemed halls such as Opera America, The Morgan Library, New York City Ethical Society, and First Fridays at the Frick Collection. He studied guitar and lute with William Zito and Stephan Leonard, and composition and guitar with Frederic Hand and Michael Newman. Daniel is faculty at Vienna Music School, where he teaches private lessons, guitar ensemble, and music theory. In his continued effort to bring music and education to underprivileged communities, Daniel works with the nonprofit organization, El Circulo de La Hispanidad, where he directs a guitar ensemble and teaches group classes for beginners and adults. Daniel earned his bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University and his graduate degree from Mannes College of Music at The New School. This is his Richardson Auditorium debut.
Originally from Trenton, New Jersey, ASHANTI ROSS is a student at the Berklee College of Music, where she studies contemporary and classical violin performance. For six years, she served as concertmaster of the Trenton Youth Orchestra and frequently performed solos with the group. Highlights of her career include performing for Gustavo Dudamal during his 2018-19 residency with Princeton University Concerts, and opening for Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason’s Princeton University Concerts debut. Ashanti also writes and arranges her own music, and has released violin covers of artists such as XXXTentacion, Lil Baby, and Ariana Grande. She currently studies with Chelsey Green and formerly studied with Anna Lim. You can find her on YouTube at @mvsicaddict4038 and on Instagram at @mvsic.addict.
TRENTON YOUTH SINGERS (TYS) is a choir for students from Trenton middle schools, Trenton Central High School, and Trenton Ninth Grade Academy. During weekly rehearsals, TYS members engage in a mixture of full choir and small group singing with their Princeton student coaches, learning an eclectic mix of repertoire while building their musicianship skills, vocal strength, and confidence. Members also receive free private lessons from Princeton student teachers. Rehearsals take place every Saturday from 10AM to 1PM in the Lewis Arts Complex Forum. In February 2023, TYS performed for an audience of over 1000 people at Princeton's annual Alumni Day.
TRENTON YOUTH ORCHESTRA (TYO) is an orchestra for students from Trenton Central High School and Trenton Ninth Grade Academy. During weekly rehearsals, TYO members work with their Princeton student coaches on repertoire ranging from film scores to classical music, pop songs to commissioned compositions. Members also receive free private lessons from Princeton student teachers. Rehearsals take place every Saturday from 10AM to 1PM in the Lee Rehearsal Room. TYO has been fortunate enough to engage with some of the world’s leading musicians. In December 2019, the orchestra performed for Gustavo Dudamel during his welcome tour of Princeton University. And in April 2022, TYO opened for Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason's Princeton University Concerts debut. TYO is grateful to Maestro Gustavo Dudamel and his foundation for their generous and longstanding support.
ABOUT THE DIRECTORS
Trenton Youth Dancers director RACHEL SCHWARTZ is an educator, artist, choreographer, dancer, and designer based in New Jersey. This is her fourth year with TYD and since December 2023, she has been teaching full-time at Trenton Central High School as the long-term dance substitute. Previously, she taught in special education settings, such as The Quad Manhattan, and with girls’ empowerment organizations throughout New York City. She was also a teaching artist for Art as a Catalyst for Change, a NYC initiative that brings anti-gun violence messaging and opportunities for creative expression to middle and high schools with high incidences of gun violence. In 2023, Rachel choreographed the Lewis Center for the Arts’ fall musical, The Winter’s Tale, which featured a cast of over 80 people. She continues to collaborate on devised theater projects with Nathalie Ellis-Einhorn and GASH Theatre Company in London. In past productions, including work that was featured at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, she has choreographed, performed, and designed costumes, sets, and puppets. Rachel graduated with honors from Princeton University in 2018 where she studied visual arts and dance.
Trenton Youth Theater director FAITH ILOKA is a playwright, mental health counselor, and all-around arts enthusiast. She is a proud Trenton Central High School alumna (Class of 2017) and Princeton University alumna (Class of 2021). At Princeton, she majored in African American studies and received certificates in theater and music theater. She also wrote and performed in her senior thesis play Sweet Mother; served as artistic director, president, and company member of DoroBucci Dance Company; modeled in Princeton’s annual fashion shows; and performed in various theatrical productions. Faith's passion for service and advocacy within the intersections of Blackness, arts, and mental health led most of her work on and off campus. She recently graduated with her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, and hopes to continue integrating the arts into her work as a therapist. Faith returns to TYT after serving as one of two founding student leaders during her senior year at Princeton.
Trenton Youth Singers director SOLON SNIDER SWAY is Lecturer in Music Directing and Choral Programs at Princeton University, where he also directs the Playhouse Choir and Playhouse Orchestra. In addition to his work at Princeton, Solon is a composer/lyricist/librettist, music director, conductor, singer, actor, accompanist, arranger, and educator. Most recently, Solon composed songs for The Swallow and the Tomcat (Yale Summer Cabaret’s “Verano Season”), The Tempest (Yale School of Drama), Thank You for Trying (United Solo), and Thebes (Quinnipiac University). Solon’s musicals Crescent City Baby (Music/Lyrics/Libretto) and Cupidity (Music/Lyrics) were both produced at Yale University, and his original concert music has been performed by the PRISM Saxophone Quartet, The Baltimore Choral Arts Society, UMBC’S RUCKUS Ensemble, The Whiffenpoofs, The Walden School Players, The Peabody Preparatory Percussion Ensemble, and more. Recent music direction and conducting projects include The Shape of a Child (Avaloch Music Institute), The Hello Girls (Princeton University), Sondheim on Sondheim and No for An Answer (Theater 2020), The Fantasticks (Infinity Theatre Company), Matilda (Ghostlight Theater Camp), Romeo and Juliet (Saratoga Performing Arts Center), and Snow White (Ragtag Theatre). Solon holds a B.A. in Music (Intensive) and Theatre Studies, with distinction in both majors, from Yale University.
Trenton Youth Orchestra director and Trenton Arts at Princeton program manager LOU CHEN grew up in San Bernardino, California. He graduated from Princeton University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in music (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and certificates in orchestral conducting and American studies. Having founded TYO as a sophomore, after graduation Lou was hired by the University to develop a larger arts outreach initiative, now known as TAP. He is a passionate advocate for accessible arts education and place-based community engagement. In 2023, he received the Tiger Entrepreneur Award from the Princeton Entrepreneurship Council.
ABOUT THE STUDENT LEADERS
Trenton Youth Dancers student leader AVANEQUÉ PENNANT ’24 is a senior from Queens, New York City concentrating in African American studies on the race and public policy track. Originally introduced to performance at a young age while living in Jamaica, Avanequė has continued to explore and develop her relationship with dance over the years. She is passionate about dance’s ability to promote expression, creativity, and self-care. On campus, Avanequė has served as president of DoroBucci Dance Company, which afforded opportunities to choreograph and perform a wide variety of styles in front of audiences both on and off Princeton’s campus. Outside of dance, she enjoys bicycling, cooking, gardening, and reading.
Trenton Youth Theater co-student leader SYDNEY HWANG ’24 is from Claremont, California, majoring in English and pursuing certificates in creative writing, theater, and music theater. She discovered a passion for theater at Princeton and has been in productions with the Lewis Center for the Arts, Princeton Triangle Club, and Princeton University Players. She also sings in Princeton’s Playhouse Choir. Last spring, Sydney studied classical acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, which further cemented her love for acting. Last fall, she premiered her first original musical, Christmastown.
Trenton Youth Theater co-student leader ELENA MILLIKEN ’26 is a Philly native and prospective anthropology major with minors in theater and Spanish. At Princeton, Elena is co-technical director of Theatre Intime, a member of Students for Prison Education, Abolition, and Reform (SPEAR), an advising fellow for Matriculate, and a lighting designer and actor. When not doing theater things, you can find her perusing Zillow and fantasizing about all the food she will make once she has a kitchen.
Trenton Youth Singers student leader JENIA MARQUEZ ’25 is a junior from New York City majoring in linguistics with minors in French and music theater/choral conducting. When not singing with TYS, she serves as president of the Glee Club and assistant music director of the Tigerlilies, and can often be found frantically waving her hands in the pit of a Princeton University Players show. She also spends time working as a French translator for the Princeton University Language Project, and contemplates if anyone really needs a motive or thesis anyway as a Writing Center fellow. You can usually spot her in her natural habitat: hugging a stuffed animal while listening to showtunes and string quartets and drinking too much bubble tea.
Trenton Youth Orchestra student leader CHARLOTTE DEFRIEZ ’26 is a sophomore from London, England, hoping to study religion with a minor in the humanities. She has been playing the violin since she was four years old, and developed a love for chamber music through her involvement in quartets and orchestras over the years. Outside TYO, Charlotte is an avid member of Princeton University Sinfonia and works at Richardson Auditorium, where she has the privilege of exploring all that goes on musically around campus. She spent her most recent summer studying in Copenhagen and subsequently interning at a school in Boston, where she also worked on her personal goal of reading at least five works by her favorite author, Virginia Woolf. Beyond academics and music, Charlotte loves going on walks, reading books, and finding new places to explore! You might find her studying in East Pyne, her favorite campus building, or huddling around coffee and cookies with friends in the Murray-Dodge Cafe.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Program coordinator NANCY AGOSTO graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2022 with a B.A. in art history and Latin American & Caribbean studies and a minor in studio art. At Muhlenberg, Nancy was a gallery assistant at the Martin Art Gallery, where she was responsible for having knowledge of the showcases and artists. She also has experience developing class curricula for the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP), where for two summers she taught art and literature. In addition, she was responsible for creating virtual college tours and conducting artistic and cultural programming. As a Trenton Central High School graduate and former PUPP scholar, Nancy is deeply interested in community-based outreach and public access to higher education and research.
Stage manager VERA FEI ’26 is a sophomore from New York majoring in architecture. After hearing so many wonderful things about Trenton Arts at Princeton, she is honored to help put up their Saturday Morning Arts Fifth Anniversary Showcase and grateful to Lou and Nancy for the opportunity. Outside of SMArts, she is the president of Princeton Triangle Club, a member of Chapel Choir, and a Lewis Center for the Arts stage management mentor. She has stage managed multiple musicals and plays with Triangle and the Lewis Center.
Assistant stage manager ALEXANDRIA CHERY is a first year at Montclair State University, where she hopes to major in Theatre Studies. She is a graduate of Trenton Central High School, where she acted in several theater productions, including the roles of Aunt Em and Glinda in The Wiz; was a founding member of Trenton Youth Theater; and received the Thespian of the Year award. The summer before her senior year, she interned as a camp counselor for Community House’s production of Into the Woods Jr. Last semester, Alexandria was a production assistant for Montclair’s Anna in the Tropics. She is currently the stage manager for Princeton Arts fellow Kamara Thomas’ forthcoming production, Xulgaria.
TRENTON YOUTH DANCERS
Director: Rachel Schwartz
Student Leader: Avanequė Pennant
Faculty Fellow: Rebecca Stenn
Teacher Partner: Elizabeth Zwierzynski (Trenton Public Schools)
Members:
Aleyah Allen
Terriona Brooks
Ivi'Yonai Clark
Saje Davidson
Maura Galvez Guerra
Sandy Garcia
Quason Green
Anyely Hernandez
Marie Jules
Angela Lopez-Tajiboy
Akeno Moore
Yerlin Ortiz
Samantha Tejada
Maliyah Wade
Jaiden Woodall-Edwards
Coaches:
Olivia Buckhorn
Kennedy Carroll
Yuki Chevray
Jenna Elliott
Cassie Eng
Joy Kogah
Trixie Okoye
TRENTON YOUTH THEATER
Director: Faith Iloka
Student Leaders: Sydney Hwang and Elena Milliken
Faculty Fellows: Shariffa Ali, Jane Cox, and Tess James
Teacher Partner: Felicia Brown (TCHS)
Members:
Tayveon Barber
Valentina Estevez
Jayla Giddens
Tyler Michael
Malia Lacy
Britany Masís Aguilar
Ally Rivas
Rose Rivera
Angielys Torres
Coaches:
Jeffery Chen
Ava Kronman
Tiffany Rawlston
Wasif Sami
Sophia Vernon
TRENTON YOUTH SINGERS
Director: Solon Snider Sway
Student Leader: Jenia Marquez
Faculty Fellow: Rochelle Ellis
Teacher Partners: Danny Hall (Hedgepeth-Williams) and Alan Wilkins (Holland)
Members:
Allison Alfaro
Nolen Cepin Bailey
Carrington Jones
Israel Lopez
Madelin Lopez
Isaiah Mitchell
Shanara Moronta Hernandez
Maria Palma
Rahja Richardson
Lola Roberts
Jacyana Santiago
Kerry Stephenson
Olivia Strauli-Ellis
Justice Torres
Gabby Vasquez Reyes
Angelo Villar Ortiz
Coaches:
Alyssa Batcheler*
Carrington Johnson*
Nandita Rao*
Vanessa Rivkin*
Evan Shidler*
Lucy Shea*
Sasha Villefranche*
Private Teachers:
Cherry Ge
Allison Jiang
Guest Musicians
Evan Callas
Matt Cline
Kenyon Duncan
John Inestroza
Audrey Yang
*also private teacher
TRENTON YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Director: Lou Chen
Student Leader: Charlotte Defriez
Faculty Fellow: Anna Lim
Teacher Partners: Cesar Gonzalez and Ted Plunkett (TCHS)
TCHS Ambassador: John Inestroza
Members:
Matthew Abad
Jayvon Brown^
Michael Chaj
Keira Coronado
Julio Deleon
Andre Diaz
Perla Díaz+
Thomas Heads, Jr.^
Jennifer Hernandez^
Lauren Hutton
John Inestroza^
Hans Jean Gilles^
Anna Lin
Cindy Lorenzana
Jennifer Medina
Anita Ndubisi
Lisa Ndubisi
Abigail Peña
Roselyn Samayoa
Mikey Santiago
William Santiago^
Gregory Soto
Collin Thompson+
Evan Tiburcio
Jonathan Velez
Coaches:
Elinor Detmer
Alexandra Ebanks
Heidi Gubser*
Arjun Guthal
Gabrielle Hooper*
Dorothy Junginger
Grace Opong
Sean Park
Stanley Stoutamire, Jr.
Mason Thieu
Kyle Tsai
Audrey Yang
Albert Zhou*
Private Teachers:
Gabriel Chalick
Sharv Dave
Madeline Farrar
Andi Grene
Konstantin Howard
Allison Jiang
Rowan Johnson
Haram Kim
Kelly Kim
Julia Kingston
David Lee
Callia Liang
Ethan Mandojana
Tendekai Mawokomatanda
Georgia Post
Wesley Sanders
Jason Seo
Ethan Spain
Michael Tsai
Coleman Yanagisawa
Tienne Yu
Sarah Zhang
Guest Musicians
Matt Cline
Barak Nehoran
Malik Resheidat
Cassadie Royalty
+concertmaster
^principal player
*also private teacher