GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – A scholar at Coit Creative Arts Academy was able to play on the big stage at DeVos Performance Hall with legendary rapper T.I. during the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Celebration of Soul concert.
“It was fun up there and it really made me excited,” Percy, a fifth grader at Coit, explained during the Board of Education meeting on March 3. “It made me happy that all these people came to see me.”
Debra Perry, the music director at Coit, has worked with the Grand Rapids Symphony for more than two decades. She explained that during planning, she realized that Percy would be perfect to perform during the Community Chorus’ rendition of ‘Glory.’
“(Percy) just mesmerized the Community Chorus and the Symphony members,” Perry said. “His approach was very professional. That’s just one of the things that I try to engrain in students is that you are always auditioning. You never know who is looking at you and when you get an opportunity. Percy made the most of that opportunity. We are so proud of Percy and his performance.”
The Principal at Coit had high praise for both Percy and Perry.
“Miss Perry has taught this great scholar how to become bold, brave, and stand on it, because every single time he gets before our community it’s an audition,” Principal Dr. Lametria Johnson Eaddy said.
“I am happy I did good, and I’m happy people liked it,” Percy concluded.
Celebration of Soul was established by the Grand Rapids Symphony in 2006. You can learn more about the event here.
