“Speak Your Mind”: Art With Heart Annual Showcase Honors a Talented Artist

Postponed from its original date due to heavy rain, Seabury Hall performers astounded many in Seabury Hall’s annual Art With Heart Showcase on February 4th, 2023. 

This year, Art with Heart chose the theme “Speak your mind.” A fitting theme indeed for the remembrance of Genevieve Chin 22’, a beautiful person, creative and talented musician, and someone who was never afraid to speak their mind. Whether it was the striking red hair, charismatic attitude on stage, or her calming voice singing “you bring me home,” many Seabury Hall students remember Genevieve’s iconic performance of “Sweet Creature” in the 2022 Art With Heart showcase.

Genevieve was also particularly known for her love of dogs, and thus the Art with Heart Club sought to honor Genevieve by donating all proceeds to Assistance Dogs of Hawai’i, a nonprofit organization in Maui County that provides both children and adults with disabilities with professionally trained service dogs. 

In the past few years, Seabury Hall has been able to develop a close relationship with the Assistance Dogs of Hawai’i. Many Seabury Hall students know Sadie. While a dog, Sadie is a warm and welcoming member of the Seabury Hall community. As the Maddens expressed in paraphrased words, “Sadie always knew to run straight to Genevieve” from her spot on Bruce’s golf cart, and thus inspired this year’s charity.

From the talented dance pieces and brilliant musicians to the creative art pieces, both the fine and performing arts were skillfully represented by Art With Heart participants in this year’s showcase. Mansa ‘23 and Omkar ‘27 Devaki opened the showcase with an exciting duet of Teshner’s “Jalebi Baby.” Furthermore, before the seniors closed out the night with “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys, Patrick Doan 23’ astonished many with his performance to “Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2” by Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin.

I, myself, was a performer this year in the Art With Heart showcase. The spoken-word music I danced to, “How to Never Stop Being Sad,” was a song I had longed to craft a contemporary piece to for years, but danced to this year in remembrance of my friend Genevieve. 

Earlier this year on a warm Sunday morning, laying on the ground of a dance studio, I watched the sunlight flicker through the large windows as I listened to the spoken-word song play through the speakers. As the dance floor vibrated with every word, I thought about a memory that continues to play through my mind of Genevieve. Backstage during last year’s Art With Heart showcase, I remember playing this same spoken-word song for her. As it played, she recited every word, and when it finished, she looked up at me and said, “Maia, you have to dance to this song.” 

Many other performers this year thought about Genevieve as they created and performed their art. On the night of the showcase, backstage was filled with the normal level of excitement, nerves, and laughter of performers. However, I think there was something else there as well. It was the remembrance of someone who used to inspire the backstage laughter, sing on that same very stage, and be a part of Seabury Hall’s performing arts community. It was Genevieve.