Embracing the Big Apple

By Brooke Underwood

Over spring break, I traveled to New York City as a member of Virginia Wesleyan’s Camerata choir, and as a part of the Humanities 201 Arts & Culture course. The trip was only eight days in total, but the number of incredible experiences I took part in over the course of my stay made it feel much longer.

I attended The Metropolitan Opera for a performance of Norma, visited the Museum of Broadway and Metropolitan Museum of Art, and was an audience member at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers. Even still, I saw the Statue of Liberty on a dinner cruise around New York Harbor, saw Broadway productions Hadestown, Parade, Six, Phantom of the Opera, and Sweeney Todd, as well as OffBroadway performances of The Play That Goes Wrong and Little Shop of Horrors, and ate at iconic spots in the city like Lucky’s Famous Burgers and Joe’s Pizza. Considering all the unbelievable things I saw and did on this trip, I think the most memorable was performing at Carnegie Hall. I have a mental picture of Dr. Mortensen – VWU Chair of Fine & Performing Arts – smiling at the choir as he conducted us through the end of Sunrise Mass. The joy of that moment combined with the gorgeous concert hall lit up behind him, especially knowing the gravity of Carnegie Hall’s legacy, was so special –

I will never forget it!

All of these activities and sights allowed me to learn about the rich history of New York City, and how art and the city at large have reflected one another and changed over time. This was the perfect study away experience for me, and I am incredibly grateful to the Batten Honors College for this opportunity. I can’t wait to go back!