M-A’s Guitar I and II rocked the Performing Arts Center (PAC) for their annual Winter Concert on Thursday night. Directed by guitar teacher John Jordan, the evening showcased the three period’s work from classic rock to Latin hits, with performances ranging from first time players to returning musicians.
Fourth period, made up of Guitar I students, opened the night with the classical piece “Ode To Joy” by Beethoven, performed by the whole class. They continued with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” featuring senior Sloane Richards on vocals, freshman Natalia Acosta-Pendraza and junior Areli Rosales Valdiovinos on guitar, freshman Joseph Sanft on bass, freshman Adrian Mora Pacheco on drums, and sophomore Timothy Shenk on percussion.
The group then performed a cover of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” with senior Donald Ray Powell on acoustic guitar, Sanft on bass, and freshman Liviu Fisiihoi on percussion. They followed with a rendition of “Good Riddance” by Green Day, sung and played by junior Navid Riahi, while Sanft continued on bass.
Fourth period’s performance ended with “Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots, performed by Riahi, junior guitarist Olavi Ahonala, and junior guest bassist James Jun, earning strong applause from the audience. They executed the song perfectly, keeping up with its complicated tempo and rhythm.
Soon after, fifth period Guitar I students began their performance with “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven before moving into a warm version of Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold,” featuring junior Kini “Junior” Avaimalo on harmonica, junior James Jun on bass, and junior Ryan Cunningham on drums. They followed with an energetic and popular performance of “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens.
Senior Cleyver Villareal led with vocals, joined by junior electric guitarists Salvador Fernandes and R. Cunningham, who played a solo, Rosales Valdiovinos on acoustic guitar, Jun on bass, and senior Anja Motuliki on percussion. Their upbeat performance brought a lively burst of energy to the crowd.
Third period Guitar II delivered one of the most advanced and polished performances of the night. They opened with “Por Que Te Vas de Mi” by Ariel Camacho and “El Centenario” by Los Tucanes de Tijuana, featuring seniors Mairo Sandoval Aguilar and Alan Vail on guitar with senior David Castro Lopez on vocals. The group’s coordination and impressive playing kicked off their performance with anticipation.
They followed with “Another Brick in the Wall” by Pink Floyd, performed by senior Joshua Carriel and junior Aiden Booker on electric guitar, contrasting with the previous performances through a heavier rock sound that had the audience rocking to the beat.
Before moving onto the next song, Carriel surprised the crowd by announcing that it was his girlfriend’s 18th birthday. Jordan and Carriel quickly performed a short, cheerful “Happy Birthday,” drawing laughter and applause. Carriel then led the group through a flawless rendition of “Europa” by Tom Coster and Carlos Santana. His guitar work was filled with precision, while freshman Jay Crowe provided a solid bass foundation.
The energy continued with “Everlong” by Foo Fighters, played by Booker and senior Jackson Wright on electric guitar and Carriel on bass. After performing the traditional “Ode to Joy,” the group moved into “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd with junior Lia Nadav* on vocals, junior Cole Genauer and freshman Paxton Cunningham on electric guitars, Crowe on bass, and senior Wes Peterson on drums. Their beautiful notes and Nadav’s clear vocals impressed the audience.
One of the night’s standout moments came when Peterson performed a solo of “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots, singing and playing guitar with a bold and captivating display of confidence.
Nadav returned to lead vocals on “Island in the Sun” by Weezer, backed by Peterson on drums. They closed the set with “Take It Easy” by The Eagles, joined by Wright on electric guitar and Peterson on drums.
Students reflected proudly on their performances. “Once I got up there, the nerves just died off,” Jun said. “[My favorite part was] being up there with my classmates.”
R. Cunningham looked back after the show, reminiscing on his favorite moments. “My favorite song was ‘Heart of Gold’ because I got to drum, and that was a lot of fun,” he said.
Senior Anna Karen Colorado, who has performed in multiple M-A guitar concerts, shared why she keeps coming back. “Mr. Jordan knows the type of music I like, and I’ve always been inspired by Kurt Cobain,” she said.
For Carriel, “Europa” wasn’t just another performance. “Santana is my favorite guitar player,” he said. “I feel like it reflects me a lot. I see him as an icon for Mexican Americans.”
As the night wrapped up, the PAC buzzed with excitement as families congratulated performers and students celebrated their hard work. From first time guitarists to experienced musicians, each class brought something unique to the stage, showcasing both their individual talents and the spirit of the program.
The Guitar classes will be back on May 21 for the annual Spring Showcase.
*Lia Nadav is a journalist for the M-A Chronicle.
