It is fitting that this performance falls on March 5th, following a year of planning a program that reflects our city, the 305, and the cultures that shape it. Central to the MAS Vocal mission is sharing music from diverse time periods, religions, and cultures while guiding our students to recognize and take pride in Miami’s unique cultural landscape.
As a crossroads of Hispanic, Haitian, and American influences, Miami’s identity is reflected in our programming: a piece in Spanish, one in Haitian Creole, a historical work, and a modern English selection. Together, these works honor the rhythm, resilience, and creative spirit that define our community.
PROGRAM
Little Blue - Jacob Collier (b. 1994) Arranged by Vania Junco (MAS Vocal alumna)
Jacob Collier intentionally left the lyrics to Little Blue wide open for interpretation. Just by reading the comments on his official YouTube video, the power of a song is evident; people from all over the world have been inspired by this song.
The students had this to say about the privilege of preparing this song for today’s performance:
"MAS Vocal is the home I sing about." -Isabella Recio ('26)
"Little Blue reminds me of my family who never escaped Cuba, and the ones who died never seeing it liberated." -Andres Quintero ('29)
"You'll never walk alone," my friends have become my rock in this life, and it's so scary to realize we are all soon going our separate ways." - Madisson Boucugnani ('26)
"Grief doesn't always mean a loud cry. Sometimes it's soft, lonely and internal." Alessandra Tovar ('29)
Our arrangement of "Little Blue," crafted by alumna Vania Junco ('19), and features the talented voice of Zarah Pinto ('29) and the self-taught guitar playing and vocal of Sebastian Cruz ('27). The piece showcases Junco's unique interpretation, blending jazz, classical, and pop influences. Through its playful yet poignant lyrics, "Little Blue" invites the audience to connect deeply with the music and the choir.
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Dylan Bustos' ('29) dad's mariachi band
Cielito Lindo - Quirino Mendoza y Cortés (1862) Arrangement by Lazaro Alonso (MAS Vocal alumnus)
Featuring Luis Iglesias, III ('27), Daniel Tang ('28), Daniel Rodriguez ('29), Jude Galindez ('29), Gianpaolo Tondo ('30) and Melissa Cruz ('26).
I did not EXACTLY understand what I was asking for when I requested an original arrangement of a folk song in Spanish that “takes listeners on a tour of Latin America, pays homage to European classical influence and utilizes the human voice imitating instruments like contemporary pop a cappella.” Utilizing the beloved Mexican folk song,“Cielito Lindo” as a vehicle, Lazaro Alonso artfully incorporates Baroque counterpoint alongside contemporary pop influences, and showcases the rich diversity of Latin American musical traditions. He pays tribute to Latin music legends Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente while also elevating the music of both Mariachi ensembles and Baroque orchestras. The arrangement is a challenge, but has proven to be incredibly fun for both performers and audience. We invite you on this journey through time across Latin America.
Gloria Patri - C.P.E. Bach (1714)
C.P.E. Bach's "Gloria" exemplifies the vibrant energy and expressive depth of the late Baroque and early Classical period. Known for his dramatic contrasts and fluid melodies, Bach’s choral work is a joyful celebration of praise. Students are asked, “What makes you shout in excitement?” They connect with song and audience by thinking of what makes them the happiest…something that makes them thank God. Can you tell who is singing to getting an “A,” Disney vacations, Thanksgiving dinner with their family, or hamburgers? A genuine connection to a 300 year old a piece of historic significance can be a challenge, but Thank God for hamburgers!
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Gloria - Joshua Himes (b. 1987)
Joshua Himes offers a contemporary interpretation of the traditional "Gloria," infusing it with fresh harmonies and rhythms. This arrangement breathes new life into the classic text, emphasizing joy and reverence. Himes' composition bridges historic and modern choral traditions, inviting the audience to experience the "Gloria" in a new light. It is a favorite of the students because they get to showcase so many different tones and techniques while...still thinking of burgers.
Pictured here Sebastian Castellon's ('26) perfect burger which includes a nice bun with sesame seeds, romaine lettuce, two slices of tomatoes with a bit of salt, two melted slices of American cheese, and BIG MAC sauce.
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Artwork by Sebastian Cruz ('27)
G on Jan Pou Ye - Sydney Guillaume (b. 1982)
Miami is home to hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants who bring rhythm, melody, language, strong work ethic, and a heart for community service to our city. The phrase “G on jan pou ye” has been a popular idiom in the Haitian community in recent years, similar to how “You do you” has become popular in the United States. Although the colloquial phrase is often used by someone who’s playfully boasting, or subtly “throwing shade”, the text offers a reflective take on that phrase, and the music keeps it witty. We close today's program with this stirring Guillaume piece that fuses traditional Haitian elements with contemporary choral textures.
Click HERE for full lyric translation.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
If anything you hear in our set inspires you, take this with you to your home.
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With your daily grind you ARE making a difference in this world….so keep it up. Even when they don’t realize it, your students need you; your schools and churches need you, and we all need each other for inspiration.
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Daily music is so important. Block schedules are great, but have the kids sign up for two classes, or add a rehearsal on off days.
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Middle school matters. Support music education in middle schools. Our middle school director Cindy Ellis is the pinnacle of middle school music educators because of her commitment to music literacy. Lobby your local school board for mandatory music education in the middle schools and make sure the teachers are prioritizing literacy skill. Vertical teaming is everything.
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Administrative support is imperative. Scheduling student ensembles, creating a productive environment, concert attendance, funding, and student travel all require a supportive administration.
THANK YOU
Highest gratitude possible to our middle school choral director, the GOAT, Cindy Ellis: teacher, wife, percussionist, social media strategist, stepmother, runner, and friend…. she amazes me 24/7.
Deborah Mar gave me the unwanted, but very tough, push into choral music, and I am forever grateful. The patient support and guidance of the Miami Arts Studio administrative team: Dr. Miguel Balsera, Annie Diaz, Patty Fleri and Chris Gutierrez.
The very flexible and supportive parents of these amazing young performers also deserve a shout out.
A huge thank you to Brian Reedy, our visual arts teacher at MAS, for this year's incredible program artwork. Your commitment to excellence is unmatched.
Thank you to those who support us behind the scenes Diane Ellis, Kim Mann, Lori Lobsinger, Sherlyn Hernandez, Joana Martinez, Joyce Moore and the parents of Maverick Choral Society, without all of you we would not be here today.
We have so much gratitude in our hearts for the educators who inspire all of us including Trent Brown, Steven Armstrong, Matthew Brady, Shanpatrick Davis, Jeannine Stemmer, Ken Boos, Leslie Cartaya, Jeff Redding, Jason Max Ferdinand, and Marques Garrett.
Thank you Eric Rucker and Osmany Gonzalez (aka our Sazón Completa Crew, for your tasteful playing today and always!
Thank you Jeffrey Ames for your leadership, and Carlton Kilpatrick for your service to the organization. Thank you to the ACDA for the challenge of performing at our highest level, and inspiring us to celebrate cultural diversity. No matter how far politics seeks to pull us apart, music reminds us that we have far more in common than the opinions that separate us.
BIOGRAPHIES
The MAS Vocal family consists of a united group of students, parents, alumni, teachers and administrators working toward the goal of building musical skills into performances that inspire our community, country and world.
The MAS Vocal ensembles have performed in numerous venues both locally and nationally. The vocal ensemble has been featured at The Adrienne Arsht Center, New World Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York City and most recently and at conferences like the Florida Music Educators Association’s Conference and the Florida and Southern ACDA Conferences. Notable performances include recording backgrounds for Gloria and Emilio Estefan, the American Music Awards, several Latin Music award shows including the Latin Grammy’s, the 2022 Summit of the Americas, a meeting of 40 presidents that took place in Los Angeles, and most recently, a featured performance in Jacob Collier’s DJESSE Vol. 4 World Tour.
Ryan Ellis is a jazz pianist and director of vocal music at Miami Arts Studio, a public arts magnet school in Miami, FL. Mr. Ellis received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Miami and his Masters in Music Education from Florida International University. After five years as the Director of Bands at Miami Southridge High School, he transitioned to Director of Choral Music. Currently, he leads vocal ensembles as well as a recording studio, record label and sound engineering program that provides students with a relevant music education in a rapidly evolving industry.
Mr. Ellis’ mixed ensembles have performed throughout the United States with concerts at FLACDA, Washington D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, and New York, including five featured concerts at Carnegie Hall in 2009, 2011, 2014, 2018, and 2024. His ensembles frequently record backgrounds for artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan, and multiple television award shows including the AMA’s, Latin AMA’s, and Latin Grammy’s, as well as on the Jacob Collier Djesse 4 world tour. Mr. Ellis is published as a contributing author on Jason Max Ferdinand’s “Teaching with Heart” and “Teaching Beyond the Music,” available from GIA Publications. As a professional jazz pianist, Mr. Ellis has worked extensively in the Caribbean, Florida and Hawaii.