Dean's list, virtual performances and more for Sewickley area students, alumni

Sewickley Academy freshman performing in Butler University Vocal Competition

Sewickley tenor Max Peluso will perform in the 2021 Butler University Second Annual Vocal Competition on Feb. 20.

Peluso is a ninth-grader at Sewickley Academy. He competed with 39 participants (ninth-through 12th-graders) from around the country. Each participant was required to submit a video of his performance of two selections from memory: one classical piece and a second selection from the classical genre or from musical theater. One piece was to be non-English.

Peluso performed the 18th-century Italian art song ​“Caro mio ben” ​by composer Tomasso Giordani. His second selection was ​“Bring Him Home” ​from the musical ​“Les Miserables​.”

Twenty finalists were chosen to compete in Round 2 on Feb. 20. In addition, eight Master Class Performers were selected to sing one piece before a master artist who will critique and instruct them before a live virtual audience. Peluso is one of those eight.

The tenor is the youngest competitor and the only freshman to be among the 28 young artists who were selected into the second round and into the master class performance. He will vie for the $100 Encouragement Award that is given to a freshman or sophomore.

Peluso is the son of Jessica and Dan Peluso. He is the voice student of Mezzo-soprano Molly Meehan Stater.

Slippery Rock University theatre

Libby Rock, a junior dual music education and music performance major from Sewickley was an ensemble member of Slippery Rock University’s “Making Melrose” production. “Making Melrose” is an original, musical-comedy piece commissioned by the Theatre Department in an effort to give its students the opportunity to participate in a musical despite not being able to perform together in person. Online performances were Jan. 28-30.

Dean’s list

The following students from the area were recognized for their academic achievement during the fall 2020 semester by being named to the dean’s, president’s or provost’s list at the college or university they attend:

• Chatam University: Zoe Barcaskey, Megan McAleer, Riley Nungesser, Amy Wain and Melissa Wain

• Bloomsburg University: Amelia Besterman and Katherine Cubellis

• College of William and Mary: Mary Jones, Anna Luptak, Michael Parker, Zachary Skolnekovich, Anne Wicker

• University of Wisconson-Madison: Nikolaj Hindsbo

• University of Delaware: Anna Volk, Austin Wetzel and Baze Gianiodis

• Baldwin Wallace University: Alaina Giovengo

• Connecticut College: Haley Nocito