With a smile on his face, Kenya Aridomi (12) moves confidently to the beat of the cheerful music. Synchronized voices echo over the speakers as bright lights illuminate the stage. As the song comes to a close, the dancers sing their final note and the music fades to silence. The audience bursts with cheers and applause, and the performers bow after yet another amazing performance.

Kenya first became interested in Downbeat freshman year. Their rendition of “Ease on Down the Road” from the Broadway musical The Wiz inspired him to audition, and the combination of his musical talent and his ability to work with others prepared him to join the ensemble his sophomore year. Kenya recalls the feeling that performing on stage has brought to him throughout high school. 

“It’s a combination of being entirely focused on what you’re doing and being very self-conscious when you’re doing a move or singing a note. There’s that sort of anxiety and tension along with joy because I’m able to perform with such talented people around me,” Kenya said.

In addition to Downbeat, he joined Kinetic Krew the same year. Through both performance groups, he found a love for singing and dancing. His persistence in performing arts is evident from the relationships he builds with the directors and other performers in the ensembles. Upper school choir teacher and Downbeat director Jennifer Sandusky revealed his strengths as a performer and why she believed he would be the right fit for the group.

“It’s one thing to be a good solo singer. It’s another thing to be a good ensemble singer and have those skills where you can blend well and analyze sound during rehearsal, and he’s always been really good at that,” Sandusky said.

Furthermore, Kenya’s love for music has also helped him build stronger bonds with friends he met in previous years. Joel Morel (12), who met him in eighth grade, admires his positive attitude these past few years in both Downbeat and Kinetic Krew.

“Whatever he does, he approaches with so much passion and heart and energy that it makes interacting with him so much more lively and engaging,” Joel said.

Nevertheless, Kenya’s commitment to performing brought many important decisions into question. By deciding to stay in Downbeat for junior and senior year, he would have to sacrifice academic opportunities that interested him. Nevertheless, he remained reluctant to leave what felt like his second family, and his enthusiasm for singing and dancing kept him going. Aside from being talented at what he does, Kenya reveals that he often finds peace in performing.

“Singing and dancing helped me develop coping methods for stress because whenever I had a stressful day with schoolwork or I had an argument with friends, I would just come into Downbeat to sing and dance,” Kenya said.

The comfort that Kenya has received from his peers and teachers through performing has allowed him to continue in his musical journey. Through the years, he developed his skills, met new people, and even branched out to try acting in the Student Directed Showcase. Sandusky reflects on how much Kenya has learned these past few years, not only in regards to music but also in working with others and bringing new ideas to the table.

“He’s grown into a fantastic leader. I think there have been so many things this year in particular where he’s very engaged musically in asking questions and making suggestions,” Sandusky said.

 Aside from his musical skill, Kenya also connects well with those around him and has formed long-lasting relationships during his time at Harker. Senior Anjali Sheth, Kenya’s good friend since eighth grade, smiled as she recalled past experiences with Kenya.

“Our interactions are a combination of messing around and really deep conversations. I know if I talk to him about any problems I have, he’s not going to judge me or tell me that I should feel a certain way,” Anjali said.

Throughout high school, Kenya has become a capable and talented individual. His supportive and cheerful manner in everyday life transforms into captivating energy while he is on stage, and his commitment to performing shows with every step he takes and every note he sings.

“The fact about performing is that no matter which direction you’re facing, no matter what audience you’re in front of, you have to perform the same exact thing, with the same exact amount of energy, and the same exact amount of emotion,” Kenya said.