Behind the Scenes of School Meeting Performances

Lawrenceville's sprawling campus, with its many academic buildings and dormitories, often means that students are scattered throughout the day. It’s rare for the entire student body to come together outside of class or dorm life. However, there’s one exception: every Thursday, the entire school gathers in the Kirby Arts Center for a weekly School Meeting, a valuable opportunity for student leaders to make announcements, engage in games, invite guest speakers, and hype up events. With School President Eli Lacey’s ’25 new initiative, “Larries Under the Lights,” student performances are showcased with their best artistic talents. This tradition offers a chance for students to step into the spotlight and share their creativity with peers, faculty, and friends. 

One of the most well-known groups to perform regularly at School Meetings is The Disciples, a student-led band formed in 2016. The current lineup includes Ryan Bian ’25, Gray Divine ’25, Christine Wu ’25, Simona Audzeviciute ’26, Michael Esekheigbe ’26, and Gerise Kelly ’27. With members across different forms, The Disciples has constantly changed style. Despite their busy schedules, members prioritize rehearsals by arranging practice times around their academic responsibilities. In addition, they also put a collaborative effort into selecting songs, balancing each member’s musical tastes and skill levels.

Bass guitarist Audzeviciute, who joined the band after being encouraged by her peers to learn the bass guitar, reflects that, despite the struggle to find consensus, the group always finds a way to “feel the music” and create something special. Similarly, Kelly, the band’s lead vocalist, echoes this sentiment, noting that the group’s love for music drives them to extend practice even after formal sessions are over. Based on her own experiences as a new band member, Audzeviciute emphasizes how important it is for students at Lawrenceville to take full advantage of the performing arts opportunities available to them. While the School is often known for its athletic achievements, she believes that students should seek performing arts opportunities through performances that encourage student engagement. Kelly, too, feels the need “to support the performers and cheer them on the same way we support our athletes,” as they are both equally important. She sees music as a universal connector, offering a way for students to express themselves and create lasting bonds within the school community.

In addition to group performances, School Meeting also features individual artists who bring their own unique talents to the stage. Isaac Moon ’27 is one of the well-known School Meeting performers for his frequent appearances on the stage. His most recent performance, a cover of Britney Spears’s “Baby One More Time” with Mihajlo Gajic ’26 and Alexander Salgado-Lozhkin ’26 was a crowd favorite and has been featured in student publications. As a member of several singing groups and Captain of the Korean pop dance crew (KDC), Moon genuinely enjoys performing for an audience. For Moon, performing is not just about showcasing talent—it’s about “spreading joy through music.” Moon also enjoys how accessible School Meeting performances are for all students, offering an easy and enjoyable way for anyone with a musical inclination to share their talent. His enthusiasm and genuine love for performing highlight the importance of providing students with a platform to express themselves.

Gabriella Chacko ’26 has sung at School Meetings twice, both times with guitarist Kellen Fisher ’26. They performed "Upside Down" by Jack Johnson and "Bags" by Clairo. Chacko has always loved to sing and play the guitar, but she also battled with stage fright. However, after performing at an Open Mic Night at the Bathhouse, she found the courage to pursue more public performances. Before her debut, Chacko spent hours rehearsing with Fisher to overcome her nerves. She credits the School Meeting dry run with helping calm her anxieties. The dry run, which involved a small audience of Student Council members, allowed her to get a feel for the stage and practice without the full pressure of the larger School Meeting crowd. For Chacko, this experience helped ease her fears and prepared her for the real performance, making the event feel less intimidating.

As Lawrenceville continues to evolve, School Meeting will remain a space where students can come together to share, support, and inspire. The performances at School Meetings are not simply focused on showcasing individual talent but also serve as a reminder of the importance of encouraging the arts in a well-rounded educational environment. In a school known for its academic rigor and athletic excellence, the performing arts provide a much-needed outlet for self-expression and personal growth. At Lawrenceville, talent comes in many forms—all of which are worth celebrating.