Lake Michigan College voice students will be center stage during the Vocal Showcase at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1. Enjoy a lively afternoon of classical, jazz, musical theatre, and folk music during this free event. The performance will be held at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Hanson Theatre on the College’s Benton Harbor campus, located at 2755. E. Napier Avenue.
Planned solo performances by students taking applied voice lessons are: Jaiden Anderson (Battle Creek); Wyatt Arms (Hartford); Zechariah Childs (Benton Harbor); Ella Harris (Coloma); Deonna McGrew (New Buffalo); Landon Mitchell (Buchanan); Zola Sibanda (Niles); and Garreth Smiley (Vancouver Island, BC). Voice instructors presenting students include Rebecca Derbas-Selvidge, Marla Matthews, and Charles Reid. Students will be accompanied by collaborative pianist Alexandra Lee and jazz pianist Jim Cooper.
Along with individual voice students, the College's vocal jazz ensemble, Vox LMC, will be featured as it moves into its jazz festival season. Vox LMC performers are Ella Harris (Coloma), Lauriebelle Radin (Savannah, GA), Deonna McGrew (New Buffalo), Zola Sibanda (Niles), Logan Mitchell (Buchanan), Wyatt Arms (Hartford), Landon Mitchell (Buchanan), Deyton Lee (Benton Harbor), Garreth Smiley (Vancouver Island, BC), and Leo Rediess (South Haven).
Among the planned selections are "Brave Little Flower" arranged by Alyssa Allgood, "Hallelujah, I Love Him So" arranged by Kerry Marsh, “Words" by Anders Edenroth, "Sesame Street" arranged by Gene Peurling, “This Can't Be Love” arranged Jed Scott, "What is This Thing Called Love" arranged by Monica Pabelonio, and "A House is Not a Home" arranged by Anita Kerr.
Vox LMC is under the direction of Derbas-Selvidge. It incorporates the study of contemporary American music with music technology. Music technology students learn about the uses of microphones, monitors, and speakers with guidance from Force Tech, the LMC Mendel Center’s production partner, while the student singers and instrumentalists work through the complex harmonies and rhythms of vocal jazz.
For more information about the LMC Visual & Performing Arts department and performances, visit lakemichigancollege.edu/arts, email mmccaffrey@lakemichigancollege.edu, or call 269-927-8876.
About the Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department
The Visual & Performing Arts Department enables students to reach new levels of excellence through classroom instruction and public performance. Many programs, including instrumental and vocal music, theatre, and dance, are based in the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center, the only performing arts center of its kind in Southwest Michigan. Here, LMC students have opportunities to study the performing arts in a venue that attracts thousands of patrons annually. Programs including drawing, painting, and graphic design allow students to explore the possibilities in the visual arts.
Auditions are held for select ensembles that perform on the same stages as world-renowned touring acts. Students in any major also have opportunities to audition for Broadway musicals and plays and join two different vocal ensembles, string and wind ensembles, a pop-rock ensemble, and a jazz band. One of only two colleges in Michigan to carry the prestigious All-Steinway designation, LMC has a team of highly qualified faculty who bring real-world expertise to the classroom.
Posted February 13, 2026