SSPAB
Santa Susana Performing Arts BoostersSimi Valley, California - Home of the Troubadours
Simi Valley, California - Home of the Troubadours
2018-2019
Class of 2019 Graduation
SSHS Class of 2019 Graduation Ceremony June 6, 2019 included vocal selection, "Don't Forget Me" from Smash performed by Rebecca Radvinsky and a instrumental selection, "Gabriel's Oboe" Director John Theisen with SSHS String Orchestra Soloist Matthew Pauls
Women's Choir & Vocal Ensemble at the Heritage Festival: Anaheim
Congratulations to both our Women's Choir and our Vocal Ensemble for getting gold at the Heritage Festival and for the entire Vocal and Instrumental program for receiving the Spirit of Anaheim Award for their positive attitude and excellent behavior throughout the trip!!! Great job SSHS!
Abbe Road performing “Honeymoon Avenue" on their journey to the ICHSA's
opb. Ariana Grande, arr. Shams Ahmed at the SSHS invitational in preparation for the ICHSA quarterfinals on Saturday. (They placed 2nd and will move on to the semi finals this March!!)
Soloist: Miguela Soriano
Soloist: Miguela Soriano
Abbe Road performing “Cells Planets"
opb. Little Grey Girlfriend, arr. Vince Peterson at the SSHS invitational in preparation for the ICHSA quarter finals (which the placed 2nd in and will advance to the semi finals in Oregon next month!)
Soloist: Lyda Harlan (Lyda was named Outstanding Soloist on this piece at ICHSA)
Soloist: Lyda Harlan (Lyda was named Outstanding Soloist on this piece at ICHSA)
Abbe Road performing “American Boy/Lost in Japan"
opb. Estelle/Shawn Mendes, arr. Shams Ahmed
at an invitational performance to prepare for the ICHSA quarterfinals
Solos by Xavier Cornell & Miguela Soriano
at an invitational performance to prepare for the ICHSA quarterfinals
Solos by Xavier Cornell & Miguela Soriano
Advanced Women's Choir Remembering a Hero
Remembering Sgt. Ron Helus...
Santa Susana's Advanced Women's Choir, was honored to be asked to sing at the funeral of Sheriff Sgt. Ron Helus who gave his life in the line of duty during the Borderline mass shooting that occurred on Wednesday November 7th. His act of bravery has touched the hearts of our communities and he will be always be remembered as a hero.
2017-2018.
Zak on the "write" track...
Zak Cullen uses his skills as a writer and an actor to create his senior project The Fifth Wall, a deeply moving play about first love during trying times. His is the first ever entirely student written, directed, produced and performed production to be shown on the Santa Susana PAC stage, no doubt The Fifth Wall will be a defining moment for SSHS writers who wish to follow Zak's template. In lieu of admission Zak asked that donations be made to the Bully Project and Children's Hospital L.A., over $1200.00 was raised for those organizations.
2016-2017
Student Writer/Director
Zak Cullen
Zak Cullen
Mystery of the ‘Homework Bandit’
Simi Valley teen presents his original play
By Alicia Doyle
Special to the Acorn
‘WHO DUNNIT?’— Above, from left, Colby Kropfl, Taylor Welch, Bella Roscigno and Bryce Phillips rehearse a scene from “The Perilous Case of the Homework Bandit,” an original play written and directed by Simi Valley 16-year-old Zak Cullen. At right, Zak gives the cast instructions while co-director Bailey Garcia checks the script.
Cast of the The Fifth Wall
2015-2016
Remembering a great lady...
Rehearsal for First Lady Nancy Reagan's Funeral. Vocal Music Director Bevin Abbe leads Abbe Road a Cappella in a rehearsal before the funeral.
Rehearsal for First Lady Nancy Reagan's Funeral. Vocal Music Director Bevin Abbe leads Abbe Road a Cappella in a rehearsal before the funeral.
SSHS Abbe Road performing Flanders Fields in honor of the former First Lady
SSHS Abbe Road A Cappella singing "Requiem" by Eliza Gilkyson/arr. Craig Hella Johnson, in honor of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
SSHS Advanced Women's Choir singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in honor of Nancy Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Soloist: Olivia Vargas
If you know of any Troubadours past or present that are doing amazing things we want to know about it! Please email me at sspabinfo@gmail.com
Troubadour Happenings
2019-2020
Congratulations to senior Lily Ball! She won the Award of Excellence for all of Ventura County High Schools- Special Artist for Photography. Her entry now moves to the State level! Lily is a very creative young lady and along with her passion for photography she also is quite skilled at jewelry making and has been part of our Vocal Music dept. for the last four years. She was recently accepted to Cal Lutheran and we couldn't be more proud of her accomplishments!
“The pleasure was all mine accompanying these hard working ladies from ROP Choreography (Honors)/Dance Ensemble to guest performances at Moorpark College’s Evening of Dance last night and tonight. Thank you Beth Megill and Robert Salas for always having us🙌🏻💃”
photos by Linda Lewis SSHS Dance
photos by Linda Lewis SSHS Dance
The students of Abbe Road A Cappella and some select alumni were honored to sing at the 65th Disneyland Candlelight this last weekend. The celebrity narrator was Lin-Manuel Miranda, what a treat! #BeYou @abberoadaca @sshsvocalmusic
2018-2019
Kudos to our Dance Ensemble/ROP Choreography
“So proud of all of these kiddos and what they’ve accomplished in their four years at Santa Su! Awards day for Dance Ensemble/ROP Choreography...National Honor Society for Dance Arts induction with certificates. grad cords and medals, ROP certificates and cords from VCOE, and lettering certificates and dance awards from the Dance Dept. You continue to make us proud!”
#goforthandconquer
#santasudancers
Photo & Quote: Linda Lewis; SSHS Dance Director
#goforthandconquer
#santasudancers
Photo & Quote: Linda Lewis; SSHS Dance Director
Vocal & Instrumental Music Heritage Festival Anaheim Trip
Santa Susana Vocal Music attended the 2019 Heritage Festival in Anaheim. They all did very well, Silver for our Orchestra, Gold for both Vocal Ensemble and Women's Choir and The Spirit of Anaheim Award for all! Way to go SSHS!!
Photos by: Lisa Flores, Lianne Coleman, Robyn Ballard
Special recognition to Senior; Emma Flores for receiving the Maestro Award for her solos at the Heritage Anaheim Festival #SSHSAnaheim2019
Photo by Lisa Flores
Congratulations, Santa Susana Performing Arts!!! National Youth Arts Awards Winners:
Outstanding Production - The Drowsy Chaperone
Artists of the Year - Natalia Enriquez and Rebecca Rose Radvinsky
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical - Shayna Apelbaum (Belle)
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical - Xavier Cornell (Adolfo) and Nic Charles (Robert)
Outstanding Ensemble - Beauty and the Beast
Lifetime Contribution to Youth Arts and Director of the Year - Melissa Albertson
Congratulations to all of our Nominees, as well!!!
ROP Honors Choreography at Moorpark College
"Took these kiddos from my ROP Honors Choreography class to Moorpark College a few days ago where they are invited every semester to perform in their Evening of Dance. What a great way to finish off our (many!) performances for the year!"
Photos & Quote: Linda Lewis; SSHS Dance Director
Dancers giving back
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“Our last visit of the year to the senior center. As usual the kids did a great job of producing a wonderful little spring themed show for them and also as usual, the residents were super duper appreciative. Can’t wait to go back next year!”
Photos & quote by Linda Lewis
Photos & quote by Linda Lewis
Abbe Road at ICHSA Semi-finals!
Abbe Road A Cappella with Director Bevin Abbe went to Salem, OR. to compete at the ICHSA Semi Finals, although they narrowly missed moving on to the finals in NY. it was an amazing opportunity and they had an incredible experience. Thank you to all those who donated funds to help make this possible.
Photos by: Lisa Flores & Vicki Woods
Thespian Festival
2018-2019 Thespian Festival was held at Upland High School and it certainly looks like a good time was had by all!
“Congratulations all around!! Nicole Corvi and Rebecca Rose Radvinsky for taking first in state for Musical duet at the California State Thespian Festival. Congratulations also to Chloe Kleiman for second place in Musical solo and Emma Yarian for winning in Showcase. Santa Susana was well represented!”
Abbe Road in the Acorn
Oregon is next on a cappella group’s long, winding competition journey
Santa Susana High School’s Abbe Road A Cappella group left Napa Valley on a high note Feb. 2 after finishing second in the quarterfinals of the International Championship of High School A Cappella.
Three members also earned special recognition: Lyda Jade Harlan was named outstanding soloist for “Cells Planets” and Nicole Corvi and Natalia Enriquez were named outstanding choreographers.
The ensemble, led by Santa Susana music director Bevin Abbe, now moves on to the semifinal round, which will be held in March in Salem, Ore.
Should the group place first, it will advance to the championship round in New York.
Since the announcement last year that it would take part in the competition, Abbe Road has been fine-tuning arrangements and choreography as well as raising funds to travel to the competition.
The quarter finals were held at Lincoln Theater in Yountville, Calif.
To pay for plane tickets and hotel rooms, members started a GoFundMe page that has, as of Thursday, raised $5,400 of their $18,000 goal.
The group has extended the campaign, and plans on hosting fundraising events like a garage sale and an a cappella showcase.
Abbe Road A Cappella is Santa Susana High’s advanced a cappella ensemble. It specializes in modern a cappella.
The group has performed at the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival, Disneyland’s candlelight processional, Nancy Reagan’s memorial service and at festivals all across the Southern California area.
Visit facebook.com/abberoadacappella for details.
Source cited: Simi Valley Acorn
Instrumental Bassoonist...
Congratulations to Matthew Pauls!
Our very own SSHIM bassoonist making it to all three honor bands last year and this year.
He auditioned, played and will play principal chair bassoon for all three:
2019 SCSBOA All Southern High School Honor Symphony Orchestra
2019 CASMEC All-State High School Wind Symphony, and
2019 Ventura County High School Honor Band
Our very own SSHIM bassoonist making it to all three honor bands last year and this year.
He auditioned, played and will play principal chair bassoon for all three:
2019 SCSBOA All Southern High School Honor Symphony Orchestra
2019 CASMEC All-State High School Wind Symphony, and
2019 Ventura County High School Honor Band
Abbe Road at ICHSA quarterfinals
Salem, here we come! Abbe Road has been crowned the runner-ups of the ICHSA Quarterfinals, as well as special
recognition for outstanding soloist Lyda Jade Harlan, and
outstanding choreography by Nicole Corvi and Natalia
Enriquez. The fifteen-singer ensemble, lead by music directed by Bevin Abbe will be advancing to Semi's on March 29! We've extended our goal to reflect the expenses for this much bigger trip, and hope to see your continued support for our a cappella endeavors next month. Your help means the world! If you wish to help Abbe Road achieve their goal of getting to the next ICHSA competition, check out the Abbe Road GoFundMe to donate.
Dance Master Class...
"Kids killed it again today...after a long night at Dancing With the Stars last night, this morning they were in the studio bright and early to work with former Ailey and Complexions dancer Andre W Tyson as he set a piece on them for their upper level showcase In February."
Photos & Quote by Linda Lewis; SSHS Dance Director
Meet the cast of Play Pros production of Sweeney Todd.
Congratulations to all! We can't wait to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
2nd Annual Dancing with the SSHS Stars!
Kudos to Riley & Nicole on a successful and super fun senior project! Thanks to all the contestants for putting yourselves out there and showin’ your stuff and Congratulations to the 1st place Mirror Ball winners Chris & Emmy!
Dance Ensemble to compete in Valencia...
Great job Dance Ensemble in today's competition at Valencia High School. Bringing home some bling!!!
Teen Open Mic Night
Congratulations to our winners Darby J. (Royal HS) 1st place, Miguela Soriano (SSHS) 2nd place, & Lyda Harlan (SSHS) 3rd place! Of course all of the vocalists were so talented so kudos to everyone for such wonderful performances!
A big thanks to the judges, our terrific Tech Crew and of course It’s A New Day for sponsoring and coordinating this event. (SSHS vocalist Aaron Nesbit was not pictured)
Let's hear it for the boys...
“SCVA (Southern California Vocal Association) first annual VJCA (Vocal Jazz/Contemporary a Cappella Honor Choir) held at University of Redlands (Nov. 15 & 16, 2018) Matthew Pauls and Nic Sylvester, both Santa Susana High School seniors, auditioned, represented SSHS vocal music department with Mrs. Abbe. They were able to work with Director Kerry Marsh - a recognized arranger and publisher specializing in music for vocal jazz ensembles. Thank you as always to our awesome Music Director Mrs. Abbe for her never ending guidance and support!”
Photos by Marfi & Joey Pauls
Photos by Marfi & Joey Pauls
Amazing Instrumentalist...
Matthew Pauls (of Instrumental Music & Abbe Road) will be performing for the second season with #LAYO Los Angeles Youth Orchestra at UCLA Schoenberg Hall and tomorrow at Ambassador Auditorium.
See something...Say something
"We can not Stay Silent!"
Check out the Dance Department's very own National Honor Society for Dance co-President, Paige Barella! Her anti bullying project "Stop Bullying ME" is featured in Vivid Arts November issue. Santa Susana HS magazine and Art Show! Read all about this amazing Troubadour at www.vividartsmagazine.com/ in the November Issue. Way to go Paige!!
IM's Drumline sets the tone...
Kudos to our new drumline as they ready the crowd for the first IM concert of the year!!!
PTSA Reflections
Congratulations to all of our SSHS Students who won at the district level and were recognized at the Reflections PTA/PTSA Council Awards Night.
Out of 15 entries from SSHS, the following 7 will be moving forward to compete at state level.
Vivian Rangel (dance)
Aryaki Tripathy and Olivia Andazola (visual arts)
Shivani Sakthi (literature)
Nathan Miranda (dance)
Sai Kacham (Music) (his mom accepted award for him)- Golden Envelope winner
Dylan Coty (photography) - Golden Envelope winner
Wenya Froling (film production) - Golden Envelope Winner
Congratulations to all!!
2017-2018
Congratulations to Abbe Road Songstress Taylor Moreno for being accepted into A Cappella Academy for the second year in a row!
Taylor, a Santa Su senior had the honor of attending A Capella Academy last summer as a Junior along with then Seniors Georgia Caines and Eric Bui. The three, along with their fellow Aca Academy classmates went on to perform at The Hollywood Bowl's Fourth of July Celebration with Pentatonix!!
Dance!
Photos by Linda Lewis
"THE GIFT OF MUSIC—Santa Susana High Instrumental Music students Brandon Douglas, 18, a senior, and Matthew Pauls, 16, a junior, have been selected for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association’s High School Symphonic Band. They’ll perform on Sun., Jan. 28 at Chapman College"
Talented Troubadours!
January 26th was the 6th annual Teen Open Mic Night held at Royal High School and sponsored by It's A New Day.
"A special shout out to Santa Susana High students Lyda Harlen, Patrick Mayoral, Shayna Apelbaum, Dani Craven and Rebecca Radvinski who competed and were AMAZING!!!!
Congrats Lyda on taking 2nd place!!"
photo by Laura Mayoral
2016-2017
As you may know three members of Abbe Road were chosen to be part of the A Cappella Academy this summer, which is very exciting in itself but we've just learned that ACA will sing with Pentatonix at The Hollywood Bowl, for the Fireworks Spectacular on July 2nd!!! If you wish to attend the concert and show your support for our Troubadours, tickets can be purchased at https://www.vividseats.com/concerts/pentatonix-tickets/pentatonix-hollywood-bowl-7-2-2207901.html
Congratulations to seniors Georgia Caines & Eric Bui and junior Taylor Moreno!!!
Congratulations to Instrumental Music's Matthew Pauls (Bassoon), Luke Barrella (Tenor Sax) & Brenda Zhao (Flute) for making it in the Ventura County Honor Band. A special shout out to Brenda Zhao attaining SCSBOA All Southern & All State Honor Band!
You all make us proud!
Congrats to Abbe Road's Eric Bui for being a National Merit Finalist! Only 15,000 out of 1.6 million earn this honor!!! Awesome job Eric!
Congratulations to Abbe Road's Taylor Moreno, Georgia Caines and Eric Bui on their acceptance into A Capella Academy this summer! Out of 600 auditioning only 78 people were accepted!!
SSHS Jam Club is a group of SSHS students, (mainly performing arts students) with a passion for music! This is not a class but a student formed club, they practice on their own time as well as perform in and around the community at various events and fundraisers. Although the members change from year to year as people graduate, Jam Club is still going strong, making beautiful music together and making Santa Su proud!
This video is Jam Club's cover of Heart Out by The 1975, they recorded it in studio and sell copies of their single to raise funds to keep Jam Club going. Everyone should definitely go see Jam Club live, this talented bunch of kids will not disappoint!
This video is Jam Club's cover of Heart Out by The 1975, they recorded it in studio and sell copies of their single to raise funds to keep Jam Club going. Everyone should definitely go see Jam Club live, this talented bunch of kids will not disappoint!
PTSA Reflections
Santa Susana Performing Arts Boosters would like to congratulate all of our SSHS PTSA Reflections winners! We would like to give special acknowledgement to our Performing Art student contestants.
- Matthew Pauls (Music Composition)
- Sai Kacham (Music Composition)
- Alexandra "Zanny" Nicholas (Music Composition)
- Samantha Longtin (Dance Choreography)
All winners entries will move on to the District level competition, good luck to all! We are so proud of your dedication and hard work. Way to go Troubadours!!!
District level winners are:
- Matthew Pauls (Music Composition)
- Alexandra "Zanny" Nicholas (Music Composition)
- Samantha Longtin (Dance Choreography)
Congratulations to our district level PTSA Reflections winners!!