 |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
Photos by Devin Courtright/The Advocate
Genesis drummer Taryn Zickefoose rehearses in the performing arts center on Wednesday.
A drummer among vocalists
Taryn Zickefoose started playing drums in fourth grade and is entering her third year as the beat behind Mt Hood's vocal jazz group Genesis
The Advocate
As the sounds of numerous instruments and voices spill from the classrooms of the Performing Arts Department, Taryn Zickefoose makes her way down the hall, softly singing a vocal warm-up as she approaches Room 2138 to set up her drums.
Zickefoose is the drummer for Genesis, MHCC's vocal jazz ensemble. Genesis has won numerous awards through the years performing at many jazz festivals and conventions.
"This year we are going to New Orleans, which will be fun. We are going in January, so we have been getting ready for that," Zickefoose said. "We've been working really hard." They started practicing Sept. 7, two weeks prior to the start of fall term classes. They practice five days a week for two hours per day.
Hailing from Edmonds, Wash., Zickefoose started playing the drums when she was in fourth grade. "This will be my 12th year," she said. This is the start of her third year playing for Genesis. Two years ago she heard that Genesis had a spot open for a drummer. She auditioned and joined the ensemble. She then moved to Oregon to become a student at MHCC.
Zickefoose said, "I am getting my general studies with music emphasis, and then I am going to do pre-med. Totally switching, but I like two areas." Though she may intend to switch fields of study, she doesn't plan on leaving music behind. "I'll probably keep playing for fun and playing for church," she said.
Zickefoose has a few students to whom she gives drum lessons. "I teach," she said. At this point, she gives lessons at MHCC.
She enjoys classic jazz, vocal music and Ella Fitzgerald. Of her biggest musical influences, she said, "I really like Jeff Hamilton. He is probably my favorite." Hamilton is an American jazz drummer who has played with many famous musical figures in jazz. He also co-formed the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and plays in the Jeff Hamilton Trio.
Besides playing the drums, Zickefoose also plays the piano, sings, and is teaching herself how to play the guitar. She likes to travel and go on road trips, especially back to her hometown of Edmonds to see family and friends. She also volunteers at Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital.
"I like to read. I am really involved at church," she said. Zickefoose goes to Solid Rock, a rapidly growing church in Portland, where she often plays the drums for musical worship.
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.