CLASS OF 2021
Featuring Tony Melchor
Remarkable! Resilient! Revolutionary!
STUDENT INTERVIEWS WITH THE CLASS OF 2021
The Burbank Arts & Education Foundation is proud to highlight students in the CLASS OF 2021 who have been part of the robust STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs in the Burbank Unified School District classrooms. We hope you enjoy reading about their experiences and getting to know them as we celebrate an important milestone in their lives: high school graduation.
Today, we present to you Tony Melchor, who will soon graduate from John Burroughs High School. After graduation he plans to attend Glendale Community College before transferring to Cal State Northridge with the goal of becoming a primary school teacher.
“Not being able to perform in front of a live audience gave us an opportunity to develop other skills.”
Tony as Audrey 2 in Little Shop of Horrors
My name is Tony Melchor. I am 17-years-old, and I'm a senior at John Burroughs High School and a member of the Powerhouse choir.
Describe your first experience with the arts and the most impactful teachers you’ve had in the Burbank Unified Schools.
I was introduced to choir watching my older cousin on stage at Bret Harte Elementary and then at Luther Middle School. I went to Providencia, but when I followed her to Luther, I joined the choir too. After being there for a few weeks, I knew that I was home. I enjoyed making new friends and sharing the stage with amazing people. Performing on stage with choir gave me the confidence to audition for the musical Chicago at Burroughs. I got to spend time with my friends and make new memories. Being in choir was the best thing that ever happened to me.
The teacher that made the greatest impact on me in elementary school was my third-grade teacher, Mr. Spence. Mr. Spence encouraged me to become a more confident student. In middle school, my choir director Mr. Tony Redman, with the support of Ms. Marissa Cohen, encouraged me to develop into the performer that I have come to be. At Burroughs, choir director Mr. Brendan Jennings and the choreographing team lead by Mr. Dominic Matas encouraged me to develop and expand my talent.
What were your favorite productions to play a part in?
My favorite performances were Little Shop of Horrors and Chicago. Each performance has a special place in my heart. I hope that my fond memories are shared by the audiences that watched our productions. In Little Shop of Horrors, I played Audrey 2 and in Chicago I played Amos Hart. Having the opportunity to play an exotic plant and later a shy and timid husband allowed me to show my wide range of performing abilities. Though I always feel a little bit anxious before going on stage, I never get nervous, that feeling I leave to my dad. Whether it's a talent show in fourth grade or having a spotlight in a solo performance on Burroughs’ big stage, my father can't help but be nervous prior to my performances. I always appreciated the positive feedback after our shows both in and out of school, from friends and family alike.
What advice do you have for younger students?
My advice to up-and-coming performers is don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and always challenge yourself, but above all, have fun.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned during this pivotal, history-making pandemic?
This year definitely presented us with new challenges. Not being able to perform in front of a live audience gave us an opportunity to develop other skills. It allowed us to fine-tune our craft as we were able to do multiple takes and learn to work in front of green screens. We are so fortunate to have the support of a wonderful choir director, choreographers, and amazing tech crew, and together we all were able to piece together memorable virtual shows that were unlike anything we’d ever done before.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Do you expect the arts and/or sciences to continue to play a role in your life and if so, how?
10 years from now, I see myself teaching the next generation of performing students, sharing with them the love that I have for performing on stage. Hopefully, they will develop a love of the fine arts much like the love that my choir directors and drama teachers instilled in me.
Any final words before you move on to your next chapter?
From being in a talent show when I was in elementary school to being a show-stopping performer in high school, I am very proud of how far I've come on this journey. All the hard work paid off in the end and I was able to make such beautiful memories with all my peers, choreographers, directors, and teachers. I'm grateful to all the people who exposed me to amazing songs and show tunes. Thank you to everyone who helped keep the magic of the performances alive through these challenging times. I can't wait for future shows and what awaits me beyond the stage. On with the show!
JOIN US to celebrate the REMARKABLE, RESILIENT, and REVOLUTIONARY Class of 2021. Donate today to support their legacy for future students.