SMURB performs as a group at the last coffeehouse

From the electric music of the St Mark’s Upper School Rock Band (SMURB) to a Hockaday duet’s beautiful performance of “Somewhere Only We Know,” to junior Winston Lin, the comedic extraordinaire, this year’s Coffee Cabana was a great success.

Students from both schools piled into the Black Box for the final Coffeehouse of the school year. As they walked in, they were greeted by the smell of fresh baked cookies and the sight of summer decor as the room filled with excitement.

This musical showcase encourages Upper Schoolers from both schools to celebrate each other and support their different talents.

Senior Daniel Deng, one of the Fine Arts chairs responsible for organizing the Coffeehouse, is proud of the strides the program has made, and is sad his tenure is ending.

“It’s definitely a bit sad,” Deng said. “It’s difficult knowing that this is the last time I’m going to do Coffeehouse with this specific group of people.”

Once known as the “piano guy” because he was always playing in the background, Deng exemplifies the confidence and exposure one can derive from performing at the Coffeehouse. He excels as a guitarist on SMURB, a pianist and on the mic.

“Music is a universal language, and musicians are the people who speak it loud enough for others to hear,” Deng said. “Music is meant to be shared with other people, and coffeehouses have such a great platform for performers to practice their performing skills, and for them to share the gift of music with other performers and students.”