Holland College music student preparing for concert

Feb. 5, 2025

By Blaine Auld

Kendra Lyttle is excited to perform with her band and classmates at the second Winter Concert Series at Holland College on Feb. 7. She says performing on stage is what she enjoys most about being a musician. Blaine Auld photo.

Kendra Lyttle loved playing the lead role in her middle school’s play.

During intermission, characters were brought on stage to interact with the audience.

Everyone was excited to see Lyttle when she appeared on stage.

The 13-year-old felt the same.

“That just brought me so much joy, and that was a core memory. I will always remember that feeling.”

Six years later, Lyttle will achieve the same feeling again soon when she performs.

Lyttle, 19, is singing at the second Winter Concert Series at Holland College, as part of her education at the college’s School of Performing Arts (SoPA).

The event will take place at Florence Simmons Performance Hall on Feb. 7. It will feature five second-year SoPA students performing their own musical sets.

Lyttle will perform three songs, ranging from acoustic soundtracks to indie pop rock.

“They're all really good songs, and I'd say they're a pretty accurate representation of my music taste,” she said.

Lyttle is also helping as a vocalist for other students’ sets.

The second-year student said there is a lot of collaboration between classmates to make sure everyone succeeds.

“I feel like we've gotten to a place where there's a really strong sense of community, no matter what.”

Lyttle and her band have rehearsed twice a week in preparation for the concert.

She is excited for her and her classmates’ performances due to the number of musical genres they will explore.

“It'll be almost like whiplash between all the sets, because it's going to be such a variety.”

Liam Corcoran, program manager for arts and media at Holland College, enjoys this aspect the most about the Winter Concert Series.

He likes to discover what students will perform on stage.

“You learn a lot about these individual students and the music that really means the most to them.”

Corcoran has seen the Winter Concert Series create an impact in and outside of SoPA.

Performers have used the concerts to grow as artists and become comfortable performing on stage.

The events are free for anyone to attend, with donations being accepted for the college’s food bank.

“It’s really a win-win in a lot of different ways,’ Corcoran said.

Adam Hill, a SoPA instructor, works with other faculty members to help students practice and brainstorm ideas for their concerts.

He enjoys seeing how far his students come in just two years.

“To watch them move…to the level where they’re at towards the end of their second year as part of their capstone project is really exciting.”

The Feb. 7 concert will cover genres such as jazz funk, traditional Latin and electronic progressive.

Two more concerts in the series are planned for March 7 and March 28.

While Hill will be busy helping with the event behind the scenes, he is eager to see how audiences will be entertained, and for his students to perform.

“It's really exciting to just watch these students be so successful on stage.”

The stage is one of Lyttle’s favourite parts of being a musician.

“I’ve just sort of always found satisfaction being on the stage and performing for an audience, whether that’s in theatre or in music.”

Other students in Lyttle’s group are just as eager to be on stage as she is.

As everyone improved their skills, they became more versatile, confident and closer to each other.

Lyttle and her band are prepared to give a memorable performance.

“We're ready to go. We still have a couple of rehearsals left still, but I think we're very ready.”

Kendra Lyttle will be singing three songs at Holland College’s Winter Concert Series event on Feb. 7, as part of her program at the School of Performing Arts. She says the songs are a representation of her musical tastes. Blaine Auld photo.

Liam Corcoran, the program manager of arts and media at Holland College, looks forward to the school’s Winter Concert Series every year it is held. He says students’ performances help him and audiences learn a lot about them and their musical tastes. Blaine Auld photo.

Adam Hill, an instructor at Holland College’s School of Performing Arts, helps students get ready for the Winter Concert Series. He enjoys seeing how far his students come in a short period of time. Blaine Auld photo.