Jade Coon, a senior at Sedona Red Rock High School, won first place at the school’s talent show held at the Sedona Performing Arts Center on January 30th. He finished second in his solo piano performance on “Mia & Sebastian Theme” on the “Lala Land” soundtrack, while Kuhn’s brother Logan Coon took third in his rendition of Finny’s O’Connell’s “Blake My Heart Again.” Kuhn received the Airpods as prizes, while Kaikala received the Polaroid camera.

Jade Koon

“I was a bit shocked to win. [Kaikala] He did a great piano solo and I got a lot of love and support so I was going to get number one [the school]Kuhn said. “I was very comfortable on stage. My heart was my own. [Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education] Instructor [Genna] Adams was there so I was just proud of her, and so was my mother. ”

Kuhn praised Vacte for contributing to her academic growth and enhancing her stage performance by improving communication, public speaking skills and confidence. At a 3.9 GPA, she qualifies for the Lumberjack Tuition Scholarship and graduates from high school early.

“I’m a full ride at Northern Arizona University and I’ll be majoring in primary education,” Coon said. “I love kids and I love teaching. I’m currently at Vacte for an education specialist. I’m taking an internship at West Sedona School, which has kindergarten classes.

Kuhn said she chose the song because she fell into the alto range and “it’s about raising people.”

“I listen to a lot of country spirits,” Kuhn said. “It’s a little more modern, they don’t use that much guitar, it’s more piano bass, but when they still sing, they still have that country toang.”

Khrystian Kaikala

Kaikara said that he began taking piano lessons when he was four years old and disliked the experience, but after his mother bought him a small electric Hemingway piano, he began playing more consistently over the past three years. I said that.

“When you were taking piano lessons, you were taught that you had to play in a certain way,” Kaikara said. “I didn’t like being trapped in music because music seems free and creative.”

Kaikala said he listens to a wide range of genres, including “old” hip-hop and R&B artists like Hispanic Music and 50 Cent and Eminem.

“I don’t think people realize what’s difficult [Kaikala] He was doing it… he remembered everything. He nurtured all these dynamics,” said Cody McKesson, an orchestra teacher. “He could sing the melody in his head, he pulled it out of the piano and he did a great job. It was so good that I made it hear and feel a little emotionally. .”

Jade Koon said she was particularly brave as she was the first performance of her brother Logan on stage.

“if [Logan Kuhn] Another talent show should sing Frank Sinatra. Because that’s what I could hear his voice. Because his voice is so rich and gentle.