Four Newark Public Schools high school students performed on NBC’s Today show, playing stringed instruments during singer-songwriter Walker Hayes’ rendition of the classic holiday song, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
The students, all juniors, were violinists Jade Alacantara-Morillo, Ashley Benavides Narváez, Isyss Blair, and cellist Shaheed Campbell.
The opportunity to perform on the television program was presented to all district high school student string players through the District’s Office of Visual and Performing Arts. Director Devonne DeNose coordinated with Mark Conklin, a Grammy-nominated musician and the Vice-President of Artist Relations and Programming at Prudential Center, in preparing the students for the performance. RECORD HIGH is a groundbreaking initiative at Prudential Center and Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment that embodies careers, community, and connection in the music and entertainment industry by empowering young individuals to pursue their dreams and introduce new opportunities within the industry through educational resources, mentorship, and networking connections.