Aniyha Williams
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne’s Guitar Ensemble class held its final performance starting on Sunday in Morgan Auditorium.
Roughly 30 people attended to hear the group play a variety of music, ranging from video game theme songs, works arranged by ensemble members, solos and vocal performances.
Among the selections were the Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros theme songs.
A version of “Nobuo Uematsu,” arranged by Nikolai Galvan, was also performed.
Vocal performers included Logan Cruz and Hai Muradian.
Ebby Slater, Mario Aguayo, Nikolai Galvan and Christian Barrios performed solo guitar pieces.
Cruz delivered a powerful performance of “Villains of Circumstance” by Queens of the Stone Age, while Aguayo and Muradian performed a statement piece of the afternoon called “El Amor de Vida.”
The gentle yet bold flute, electric and acoustic guitar melodies offered variety and depth to performance.
Michael Ryan, the class instructor and a guitar player of 40 years joined the performance, shared with the audience the behind-the-scenes work involved in putting the performance together, and how chemistry and collaboration were a staple at the event.
“It takes a lot of preparation and willingness to learn to organize this event,” Ryan said. “Everyone present was really connected with each other and that brought on a lot of fun and enjoyable memories for the performers and the audience as well.”
“I’ve been performing in the performance setting for two years,” Ebby Slater, senior biology major, said “It’s really all about going out there calming your nerves and making it a truly unforgettable experience.”
Barrios, a freshman music major, reflected on his solo rendition of “Tango Traditional.”
“There’s nothing better than performing a solo piece,” Barrios said. “You find your element and really hone in on that and overall that makes performing the piece even more surreal.”
Claire Kostich, a 2025 alumna, who also performed Sunday, talked about the sense of community in the ensemble.
“I’ve played the guitar for three years now, and it continues to be a great opportunity for me,” Kostich said. “Anyone can play the guitar if they put their mind to it.”
Aniyha Williams can be reached at aniyha.williams@laverne.edu
Aniyha Williams is a staff writer for the Campus Times, and a freshman communications major with a concentration in public relations.
Vicente Rodriguez is a senior photography major with a marketing minor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times. He has previously served as photography editor of the Campus Times and a staff photographer for La Verne Magazine.
