ALUMNI E-NEWS #6 • MARCH 2014
This is our sixth alumni e-newsletter and it snowed in NYC this morning. If there is something you can do about this weather then by all means get right on that. Okay thanks.
RSS ROCK STAR IN THE MAKING Emma Wilkinson ’08 is a sophomore at Hamilton College who just released her first EP, Muse, under the name Emma Joy. Mr. Palmer chatted with her about music and writing and disco and everything. Hey, Miss Emma. We just listened to your EP for the third time and we love it! Congrats. When and where did you record it? Thank you. In late January, I spent five days in a studio in Syracuse, New York, recording the songs. It was the most grueling and rewarding experience of my life. Just constant music 24/7. So awesome. I worked with the sound engineer, Andrew Greacen, my guitar teacher, Rick Balestra, a bassist, Max McKee, and a drummer, Liz Strodel. They were all so crucial for the process because they had such amazing creative energies and really helped create the vibe I wanted for the EP. The songs are all original and I really put my all into my songs. Songwriting is such a great outlet and now it feels so good to put the EP out there for people to hear. Tell us a little more about your songwriting process. Did you write these songs over a specific period of time? Were you focused on certain themes? I actually wrote all of these songs during college because I became so inspired once I started at Hamilton. When picking the songs, I tried to make sure each of them had a different Emma and some Class of 2008 pals in middle school. theme, so they weren’t all love songs, they each had a different message. “Tell Me” is actually dedicated to my Grandma and it is about young people asking for advice from those who are more experienced than they are.
That’s super. I consider giving advice to young people one of my hobbies, so maybe that should be my new theme song. When did you first start writing songs? As soon as I began guitar lessons when I was eight years old I started writing songs. Although my better songs were written in college! You are currently a sophomore. How are you balancing your life as an artist and your life as a student? I take guitar lessons at college where I work on my songwriting with my teacher Rick Balestra. I also perform whenever I can. Actually, I reread The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison recently for one of my classes and it inspired me to write a song. So, I think my life as an artist and student is not only a good balance, but my life as a student inspires my artistic pursuits. Excellent. You graduated from RSS way back in 2008. Were there any aspects of your experiences here that prepared you for the work you’re doing now? I always loved choir with Cantor Garfein. That was such a wonderful opportunity to sing and perform in front of the school. I also remember a moment when I was in fourth grade when I performed “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” by Leo Sayer in front of my entire grade. I was really into disco at that age (still am!). Do you have any plans for performing live? What’s next? I might perform this summer, but I actually just landed an internship at Atlantic Records, so that is super exciting!! Agreed! Congrats, Emma. And best of luck with the EP. We look forward to hearing more about your artistic pursuits.
www.emmajoysongs.com Emma, second from left, as an RSS 5th grader.
You can check our Emma’s EP on iTunes here or on Spotify here.
LEND US YOUR HANDS We are looking for volunteers from the Class of 2012 and the Class of 2013 to help during our annual RSS Community Service Day on Sunday, May 18, which just so happens to be the day after Mr. Palmer’s birthday FYI.This is a fantastic opportunity for RSS alums to hang out, do some good in the world, and earn some community service credit hours. Rally your pals and sign up with Mr. Palmer at bpalmer@rssnyc.org. Plus, volunteering makes your life better! IF YOU ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL THEN WE WANT TO SEE YOU IN PERSON! Details about each of these events will be emailed to alumni directly within the next week or so, but feel free to mark your calendars now: Class of 2010 Graduation Party: Monday, May 19, 7 - 9 p.m. Class of 2011 Study Break: Monday, April 28, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Here’s Tess Leibowitz ‘04, whom we interviewed for Alumni E-news #1. She’s now working on a new show for ABC called “How To Get Away With Murder.” Good luck, Tess!
Class of 2012 Reunion Dinner: Tuesday, May 20, 7:15 p.m. Class of 2013 at Spring High School Night, party and panel: Thursday, April 24, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
GRAD SCHOOL IS COOL Way big congrats to Chloe Nordlander ‘06 for her recent acceptance to the New School, where she’ll study non-profit management and social entrepreneurship in pursuit of a Masters of Science degree. Same to Daniel Safdie ‘05 for his acceptance to Xavier School of Medicine in Aruba, which sounds so lovely it makes us want to go to medical school with him. Who else is going to grad school? Tell us so we can praise you.
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE, MISTER We have recently increased security at all of our buildings, so don’t be surprised if one of our guards asks you for an I.D. when you drop by for a visit. Simply say you’re an alum and the guards will call Mr. Palmer or Ms. Shotwell to confirm. If we’re not available, provide the name of a teacher you’d like to see who can verify your identity and they’ll call that person. We are excited to see you! Also, safety first! LOVE WINS IN THE END On Tuesday, April 8, a former skinhead named Frank Meenik (pictured) is visiting CRS to talk about his transformation from a life of violence into a speaker who tries to fight the hatred he once felt. Seriously intense. If you’re in high school, come join us for a memorable evening. RSVP here. HAPPY RETIREMENT, TIRZA Many of you know Tirza Arad, who has served as Director of Education over at CRS for many years. She is retiring this year, and CRS is hosting an Erev Shabbat Service in her honor on Friday, May 16, at 6 p.m., followed by a festive Oneg Shabbat. If you’d like to attend, email kbraunfeld@ crsnyc.org and tell her so. Click
here
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Never miss a #tbt.
#INSTAGOOD Are you still not following us on Instagram? That’s just silly. How else will you keep tabs on our fantastic tennis team or find out the name of Mr. Glasser’s new baby?
Last but not least, we are almost ready to launch our new alumni giving campaign, so stay tuned for details in May and set aside $18 (or $18,000! Up to you!) before then. Enjoy the first days of so-called spring, let us know what you’re up to, and be good. We love you!
We are so good-looking and everything:
Rodeph Sholom School Office of Development Bryant Palmer Director of Alumni Relations 646.438.8657 www.rodephsholomschool.org