Rising talents

Times Contributor    

 

At various concerts throughout Strathmore this holiday season, our local teens have stepped up to showcase their musical talents for the enjoyment of the community.

Lilli Furfaro and Jared Eygenraam are two of the many musical rising stars that are worth keeping your eye on.

Furfaro, originally from Ontario, moved to Strathmore 18 months ago. She comes from a musical family and her father is the Executive Director of Rosebud Centre for the Arts. She said both her parents are musical and the house was filled with music growing up. She considers her parents her best friends and values their support in all her endeavours. Furfaro can remember her first introduction to the performing arts.

“I was five-years-old, in Grade 1, singing on stage at a talent show… ‘Part of your world’ from the Littlest Mermaid,” said Furfaro with a smile.

Since then, her repertoire has significantly expanded. She has directed her melodious voice to raise funds for the Osenetoi school project in Kenya, appeared at 15 Minutes of Fame in Rosebud and participated in other talent shows held in her high school. She regularly participates in the worship services at Strathmore’s Hope Community Covenant Church and she and Eygenraam teamed up to showcase for the Jack de Keyzer concert, held in Strathmore last fall.

She is currently in Grade 11 and expects to take further vocal training through theatre arts programs and carry them on with her into university. 

She and Eygenraam cross paths both at school and church. Furfaro’s father brought the two talents together for the Jack de Keyzer concert and received good feedback from the community on their performance. They are hoping to work as a duet again sometime soon.

Eygenraam was raised in Strathmore and is in Grade 10. He plays guitar, drums, and is currently picking up the banjo. He also plays in a band. His interest in music started with the gift of his first guitar at Christmas when he was younger. He went on to take lessons at the Strathmore music store, before it closed out and continues to pick up new material from various mentors and fellow musicians. 

Eygenraam, with or without his band, has performed in several venues: the Osenetoi benefit, Rock the Docks festival, , high school talent contests, the de Keyzer blues concert,  House of the Christmas Mouse theatre project, and occasional Calgary gigs, as well as playing for church worship services. 

Eygenraam considers playing in a church atmosphere a great way for musicians to develop their talent. The music industry has many stars who trace their roots back to church performance settings. Eygenraam said the church atmosphere is laid back and gives a performer a comfortable introduction to stage work. He said positive mentoring he receives at Hope Church has helped his skills grow.

“I think it is a really good way to set out. It doesn’t feel as pressured. You aren’t playing for yourself, you are playing for God, so it kind of lifts the weight off your back,” said Eygenraam.

As for future endeavours, he said he might like to work as a studio engineer or teacher, but he has well balanced idea of what success in music is all about.

“I love music. I don’t need to be in a band. Even if I was a studio engineer, or just working in a music shop, or whatever I want to do with music … as long as I am involved with music, it is still music and it’s all good,” said Eygenraam.

Furfaro and Eygenraam are locally recording a CD. 

Their next project that they want all Strathmore teens to consider attending is a special music evening called ‘Ignite’ that is geared for youth in the community. It will be held at Hope Church on Jan. 25. Hope Church brings in many different kinds of music experiences for the public, and Eygeraam said local youth shouldn’t be worried about the venue and come out to what promises to be a fun night.

“There is some youth that don’t enjoy church or come to church, so we just want to have an energetic night that we hope they will enjoy,” said Eygenraam.

Check out the website www.hope-community.ca, where more details and times will be posted.