The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department presents an alumni recital featuring soprano and music educator Rebecca Derbas-Selvidge with collaborative pianist Maggie Martin at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6 in The Mendel Center's Hanson Theatre on the Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave.
An LMC music department alum, Derbas-Selvidge is the Director of Choral Music at Coloma Community Schools. During her time at LMC, she received the Steve Sizer Vocal Scholarship, the Outstanding Musician of the Year award, and met her husband and fellow educator, Alan Selvidge.
"It's pretty humbling to be invited to perform because I have a lot of love for LMC," Derbas-Selvidge said. "It's been a big part of my life. I have been performing on the Hanson stage since I was 15, and I am excited to be back there. It's a full-circle moment."
For this recital, Derbas-Selvidge will perform a mix of classical, Broadway, and jazz tunes. Program highlights include Giacomo Puccini‘s “Signore, Ascolta” from “Turandot,” Kurt Weill’s “What Good Would the Moon Be?” from “Street Scene,” Dolly Parton’s “Get Out and Stay Out” from “9 to 5,” Hoagy Carmichael’s “Skylark,” and Bobby Troup’s “Route 66.” Guest vocalist and fellow LMC alum Carrie VanDenburgh also will join Derbas-Selvidge for a performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Sull’aria” from “The Marriage of Figaro.”
“It’s been nice to work on a program that has a mix of old and new,” Derbas-Selvidge said. “There are some pieces I haven’t done since college, and there are pieces that I have never done. The program is unique enough that I hope both community members and students will hear something they’ve never heard before.”
Derbas-Selvidge received her bachelor’s degree in choral education from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree in music education from the University of South Florida, and a musical theater performance certificate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.
She has performed with various ensembles including Lake Effect Jazz Big Band, Western Michigan University’s Gold Company, Western's Chorale, and Voices LMC.
Derbas-Selvidge wrote, produced, and performed, “A Woman’s World Cabaret,” at Danny's Skylight, and performed at other New York City venues such as The Cutting Room, The Triad, and Studio One. She was co-singer/songwriter for the band Stoney End, a backup singer for Erin Hill Band, and a founding member of the Three Divas of Southwest Michigan with VanDenburgh and Katherine Rohwer.
Her theater credits include “Grease,” “Ragtime,” and "Urinetown.” Derbas-Selvidge served as musical director for Twin City Player's production of “Sound of Music,” Children's Music Workshop's “Hairspray,” and CMW TeenStock's summer productions “Les Miserables,” and “Spamalot.” She also directed the TeenStock production of “Xanadu.”
Martin, a fellow LMC alum, meanwhile, will provide musical accompaniment for the March 6 recital. She received her associate degree in music at LMC and completed her bachelor’s degree in women’s studies at Eastern Michigan University.
“She is an amazing piano player and accompanist,” Derbas-Selvidge said. “She is just such a beautiful performer, and I can’t wait for people to hear her again.”
At LMC, Martin was a member of the Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Chamber Players, and Southshore Concert Band. She received the Board of Trustees and Endowed Music Scholarships, and the John E.N. and Dede Howard Instrumental Scholarship. Martin is a master hairstylist and owns MAK Salon and Spa in Harbert, Mich.
Admission to this performance is free.
To learn more about this event or Lake Michigan College's Visual & Performing Arts program, call 269-927-8876 or visit lakemichigancollege.edu/arts.
Rebecca Derbas-Selvidge
