Student Spotlight: Richa Juvekar and Peter Caissie Perform at Fruitlands

Have you been to an outdoor concert at the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, recently? If so, you may have seen our students, Richa Juvekar and Peter Caissie, open two of May’s concerts!

Richa Juvekar, senior at Westford Academy, opened for acclaimed singer-songwriter Ellis Paul on Thursday, May 12. 

A student of Greg Passler (guitar) and Rob Woodin (voice), Richa sang and played guitar on two original songs. Voice faculty Woodin hails Richa and her songs as “witty, charismatic, and passionate…” with “expert expressiveness and poise with her voice and guitar.”

Opening for renowned songwriter at the sold-out show, “was an incredible experience,” Richa said of the unique performance opportunity. “The venue was beautiful and while the vibe was pretty casual, I still got the full experience of what a musical gig really is,” she said.

Peter Caissie of Tyngsborough, who also studies with Passler, took the stage on May 26 to open for indie band, Spouse. A junior at Tyngsborough High School, the guitarist and composer performed two original compositions. “All you have is six strings, 22 frets, no distortion or overdrive, two hands, and nobody to accompany you,” said Caissie. “You are the band. Scary. The way I see it, limitations breed creativity, because when the only device that is making sound is an acoustic guitar with no voice, you are forced to come up with some way to make a piece of music that sounds good, with the limited tools you have. When you come up with a part that you can’t stop playing, you have become one with the power of rock and roll.”  

Watch Peter perform at Fruitlands, below.

Many thanks to the lovely folks at Fruitlands Museum for giving our students a rich opportunity to share their skills and talents with new audiences!