Impossibly Possible: A Senior Recital Aidan Sarmiento, cello & baritone with Sonya Siebert, piano Friday, April 30,2021 Des Moines Mennonite Church, 4001 56th St 7:30 p.m.

Sonata Op. 5 No. 2 in G Minor Ludwig van Beethoven Rondo (Allegro) (1770-1827)

Cello Sonata Claude Debussy I. Prologue: Lent, sostenuto e molto risoluto (1862-1918) II. Sérénade: Modérément animé III. Final: Animé, léger et nerveux

Intermission

Something's Coming Leonard Bernstein from West Side Story (1918-1990)

Talent from Road Show (b. 1930)

The Impossible Dream Mitch Leigh from (1928-2014)

What Makes A Man Jay Kuo from Allegiance (b. 1968)

Ordinary People John Legend (b. 1978)

I Don't Care Much from (b. 1927)

Proud of Your Boy from Aladdin (b. 1949)

Who I'd Be from Shrek (b. 1961)

About the Artist

Based in the Kansas City Metro, Aidan Sarmiento has always been drawn to theatre and musical performance. His theatre, vocal, piano and cello training began in grade school and has continued to play a central role in Aidan's life. With 10 years of piano lessons, 13 years of cello lessons, and working toward his BA in Music, Aidan now teaches his own beginner and intermediate piano/cello lessons.

Aidan has booked cello gigs at coffee shops, weddings, funerals, retirement ceremonies, and holiday parties. Additionally, he has begun to formulate and compose ideas for his first EP expected to release in 2022 as well as contributing production to his friend's music projects.

Aidan's career as a theatre artist really came into fruition when he was cast as the Newsboy in Jekyll and Hyde. Something about singing "murder, murder" to the audience ignited his dedication to talk about the issues, prejudice, and corruption that is pervasive in America. As a slam poetry artist, he was able to weave activism into his artistic endeavors, addressing issues ranging from racism, immigration, LGBTQIA+ and more. Aidan helped to renew the Drake University slam poetry team 2 years ago, and performed with his team at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational in Houston, Texas. Along with his BA in Music, Aidan is expected to graduate with his BFA in from Drake University in May 2021 and looks towards the West Coast for future plans.

Aidan sends his gratitude to Sonya Siebert for juggling both his cello and vocal performances, Adam Yankowy for refining Aidan's voice technique before graduation, and Ashley Sidon for consistently challenging his capacity to grow as a cello artist.

Special thanks to friends of Drake Arts (FDA) for their generous support of Music Department events and projects. For more than 25 years, FDA has helped to provide the best possible fine arts education for Drake students and exceptional fine arts opportunities for the region. For more information or to join, please visit: http://www.drake.edu/friends