Students display talents during 6th annual Daniel Pearl World Music Day Talent Show
October 28, 2015
Dr. Judea Pearl almost cried as he watched the international speakers greet the audience and place pink roses into a vase next to a picture of his son Daniel Pearl.
The sixth annual Daniel Pearl World Music Day (DPWMD) performance was held on Oct. 28. DPWMD was created by Daniel Pearl’s parents, Dr. Judea and Ruth Pearl, and the Daniel Pearl Foundation to remind the world about tolerance and humanity.
The international event called harmony for humanity is celebrated all over the world to honor Daniel Pearl’s legacy during October, his birthday month. “People are angry with the violence,” Dr. Pearl said. “That’s why we celebrate Daniel Pearl World Music Day; music is better than anger.”
This year, DPWMD was student driven but music teachers Wes Hambright and Al Daniels also took a huge role in arranging the show. Junior Rebekah Spector was the emcee for the event.
All 20 of the international speakers greeted the audience individually in their foreign languages.
Many acts followed, including senior Cedric Eusantos showing off his expert yo-yo tricks. The Pearls were excited about his routine, as no one performed a yo-yo routine for DPWMD before.
After his act, junior Janay Lewis and sophomore Kamryne Blake sang a duet of “Apologize” by One Republic. Lewis later sang “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star and a solo piece with the choir.
“All of us did great. All the practice paid off in the end,” Lewis said.
Following the duet was junior Ana Monterroza passionately singing “Nightingale” by Demi Lovato. She left the MPR crying tears of joy.
“It felt like such an honor to perform for people who have gone through so much,” Monterroza said.
M. Orejarena’s dance class was the last performers of the show. The first song they danced to was “Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega. In their second performance, “Limbo” by Daddy Yankee, they invited the audience to perform with them.
Toward the end, Dr. Pearl and Ruth Pearl both gave speeches, explaining that they wanted DPWMD to convey a message of peace.
“This school is the legacy of Danny,” Dr. Pearl said. “We feel a kinship; we feel that this school is part of the family.”
