The Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Club was treated to a “Family Act” on Monday, March 9 in the ballroom of the Hiram College Kennedy Center as Vera and Christophe Waroquet, with their children, Ronan, Etienne and Sophia presented a delightful musical evening featuring piano, guitar and vocal numbers by the various family members, individually and together. There were stories of travel and of the role of Rotary in bringing them all together and to the United States. There were stories of bringing the “blended” family into one household–Hungary, France, Morocco were part of the mix, as were Brigham Young University and Carnegie-Mellon University, concert tours and an interest in American History–a sort of “Brady Bunch” with an international flavor. Also part of the tale was the Aurora School of Music, founded nearly five years ago and still expanding in many directions, using digital technology and an enthusiastic and accomplished staff. The master classes, the video streaming of recitals, the recordings, the summer camps all make this a success story in the arts. The family then showcased their individual talents: Ronan played a Bartok piece, Etienne sang “Do You Hear the People Singing?” from “Le Mis”, Sophia shyly did a song of her own, Christophe did an Italian number and “River” by Garth Brooks and Vera gave her interpretation of the G minor Rhapsody by Brahms, managing to give what is often termed “heavy” a thoughtful and energetic presentation…to the great enjoyment of all in attendance. It was a captivating evening.
