By Margot Edwards
Berklee.edu Correspondent
August 14, 2006

	Peyton Haley conducts from the crowd during Gospel Explosion.
	Photo by David Welch

The energy and excitement emanating from both the stage and the audience during the Motown Singers Showcase, a highlight of the sixth annual festival, were undeniable. Ezell sang lead on the Miracles' "Ooh, Baby Baby" and Mary Wells' "My Guy."

For Ezell, who is no stranger to performing in front of large audiences, being on stage for the showcase made an impression. "It was crazy adrenaline [that] night," she said. "I haven't ever experienced anything like that. The vibe of the crowd and the audience participation, you really don't get that at most Berklee concerts."

Ezell is a three-time veteran of Vineyard Vibes, having also performed at the gospel concerts in 2004 and 2005. While she has performed in many Berklee concerts—and produced the Second Line Resurrection concert benefiting Hurricane Katrina relief last year, this was her first Singers Showcase. Ezell, who studied classical music throughout school, chose Berklee because she was interested in different genres besides classical music. "I'm a soul person," she said. Ezell has branched out into promoting, booking, and event management—on her own and with local production company Down to Earth Media—a pursuit she plans to continue after college.

Meanwhile, for Haley, the Motown concert marked his first time on lead vocals for Berklee with renditions of the Temptations' "My Girl," and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On." Haley, who has trained in classical music and sang with the Texas Boys Choir for six years before coming to Berklee, performed in the past six Singers Showcase concerts as a background vocalist. He said that performing and watching the lead vocalists in other Singers Showcases prepared him. "It has really helped my comfort level on stage. Doing the different shows, and being asked to do the different shows, it builds your confidence. My vocal agility has changed drastically."

The festival also gave Ezell and Haley, the only students to perform in both the festival's Motown Singers Showcase and the following evening's Gospel Explosion concert, an opportunity to interact with a star performer; Vineyard Vibes presented Grammy-winner and Berklee honorary doctorate recipient Jennifer Holliday as its artist-in-residence, featuring her in both performances. "She is amazing, a sweetheart," Ezell said of Holliday. "And she really gave us practical performance advice that we needed. A lot of stars don't do that." Holliday, who was presented with a special award by Berklee President Roger Brown in recognition of her efforts as a spokesperson for depression awareness, offered encouragement to the other performers. "Whenever we would come off stage, she was there saying 'great job.' And when she sang 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' with us, the energy was amazing," Ezell said.

	From left, Kwatice Ezell, Jennifer Holliday, and Peyton Haley
	Photo by David Welch

In addition to Holliday, Ezell, and Haley, the Motown concert also featured lead vocalists Nadine Ford, Tiwa Savage, and Jessica Wolfe, and an eight-piece band that included faculty director Ken Zambello.

After the Motown concert, Haley was swarmed by new fans. "I feel famous," he said. "Some guy came up and asked for my autograph, and I've taken about 40 pictures."

The next morning, as the other students headed back to Boston or on to New York for other gigs, Vineyard Vibes was far from over for Ezell and Haley; they were scheduled to appear on a live local TV show to promote that evening's gospel concert.

At Vineyard Plum TV's beachfront studio, behind the famed Black Dog Tavern, Ezell and Haley chatted with the host about their backgrounds, performing, and attending Berklee; later, they performed "Up Above My Head."

Their performance met with cheers from the host and crew, as well as from passersby, some of whom also complimented the pair on their performance the previous night. The two were stopped on the street several times in downtown Vineyard Haven, and it was apparent that they had indeed become instant local celebrities. "Is this what it's like [being famous]? I don't like attention," Haley said.

That evening Haley did double duty, directing the ensemble from the audience for several numbers, and singing in the choir when concert director Renese King was at the helm. Meanwhile, Ezell had a chance to shine with a solo on "Press On."

From left, Jessica Wolfe, Tiwa Savage, Peyton Haley, Kwatice Ezell, Nadine Ford share the stage at the Motown Singers Showcase. Photo by Margot Edwards

For Haley, the experience underscored the real-world lessons of performance. "We had one rehearsal day before Vineyard Vibes, and we only rehearsed with Jennifer at sound check," he said.

Still, Haley—who recently left Berklee to teach drama and music at his alma mater, a private high school in Texas, and plans to move to Nashville in the spring to do session work—takes the newfound attention in stride. "That's just part of being a professional singer, you have to bring your A-game and make it happen."

Margot Edwards is publicist in the office of public information.