An end-of-year D-E tradition, the Private Music Lessons Recital, once again proved to be a wonderful celebration of musicianship. This recent event, presented by the D-E Performing Arts Department faculty in partnership with D-E 360°, featured nearly 30 student musicians in memorable solo, duet, and small ensemble performances. In addition to hearing from vocalists singing pieces ranging from the comedic (“Killer Instinct” by Portia R. ‘30 and “Hard to be the Bard” by Conrad Minor ‘28) to soulful (“At Last” by Ayo Sowore ‘25), the audience also heard classical and jazz pieces performed on the cello, flute, guitar, and saxophone. Jared Newlen, D-E Music Department and the lead faculty member for the Private Music Lessons Program, gave a well-deserved shoutout to the performers and their teachers, as well as the families who “significantly supported” students for their fulfilling musical journeys this past year. The audience gave a standing ovation when Mr. Newlen also recognized retiring D-E Music Department faculty member (and critically-acclaimed professional flutist) John Littlefield, for his nearly two decades of service to D-E and for his original vision, which helped inspire the creation of the private music lessons program. BRAVO!