Students with a passion for singing and dancing had the opportunity to attend the Glee Show Choir program at East this summer. Mrs. Heather Frampton and Ms. Laurie Lausi, vocal teachers here at East, ran the five-week program, which they initiated two summers ago through the Cherry Hill Recreation Department. Any student from fourth through tenth grade could participate.

“It is a great way to gain stage experience, learn audition techniques, and gain confidence,” said Frampton.

Students arrived each day at 9:00 A.M. After a warm-up, they separated into two groups: fourth through sixth grade and seventh through tenth grade. The groups rotated between learning music and choreography. At the end of the day, the groups came together and practiced what they had learned.

Student counselors Melanie Mendel (’12), Jonah Bannett (’13), Ethan Saviet (’11), and Griffin Back (’11) were always there to help.

“[The student counselors] are there to be role models,” Frampton said. “The kids are there to learn what the counselors have pursued throughout high school.”

“We helped teach the kids,” said Mendel, who graduated last year. “We kept them entertained and made sure they were all in order. We assisted them when they were in rehearsals.”

Mendel added that she plans to major in music education and said that being a student counselor was a good experience for her.

The program culminated with two performances, in which students sang and danced to popular songs including Katy Perry’s “Firework,” Owl City’s “Fireflies,” Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite,” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray.

“[This program] provides an outlet for these kids who love [performing] during the school year,” Frampton said. “It encourages them to continue on.”