Clark is a school that focuses on technology — not the arts — so it is rare to find a Clark student who performs or even takes interest in the arts. However, there are those streaks of light at Clark who perform for hundreds of people while still being academically responsible.

Other schools in the GUSD have numerous art classes, orchestras and bands that range from beginning to advanced, while Clark’s only source of performing arts are the Music and Dance Clubs, and a few art classes that still greatly depend on technology.

On March 28, the Chronicle surveyed a mix of 40 junior and senior Clark students. Eleven said they play an instrument, dance or sing. That is roughly about 27% of Clark students who choose to express themselves in artistic ways that are not supported by classes offered at Clark.

Even though Clark has a few clubs or music classes, some students share their music through performance and through the Internet as. Junior Alfredo Degoma III plays music with his band 1/10 and puts on videos on the Internet of them playing. “Even though I don’t get a lot of music time at school, it is not very hard to practice music outside of school and post videos on YouTube or Facebook,” Degoma said. Standing behind a camera and performing is easy; performing live is the more challenging of the two. “There’s anxiety at first but after you get up and just go for it, it becomes so much easier and enjoyable,” Degoma said.

When Degoma listens to music, he says that a feeling of euphoria comes with every song that he has attached a memory or liking to. Even though he is passionate about music, he said he would never want to make music his career. “Although I really like music, it’s more of a main hobby than something I would study and learn,” Degoma said.

Degoma said he attends Music Club to relieve the stress of everyday Clark work. Once a week during enrichment, he has a place to take out his ukulele and jam with his friends who are also in the club. He is able to play and sing along to all of his favorite songs with his bandmates and other people he has met through the club.

Junior Irene Baghdasaryan also has musical interests. She not only plays piano but also dances. She recently played piano for the Committee of Armenian Students in Public Schools (CASPS) that was put together by the Lark Musical Society. She performed a solo and a jazzy duet, playing two known Armenian songs.

Baghdasaryan not only plays piano but she also dances. She recently performed at a concert to celebrate Sona Avetisyan, a famous choreographer and teacher in the Armenian community. She danced modern, Armenian dances in honor of Avetisyan’s years of teaching.

Baghdasaryan’s family continuously tells her to quit her artistic extracurricular activities because they think she is too overwhelmed with school and performing. “My parents continuously tell me to drop out of my artistic extracurriculars even though they have creative careers,” Baghdasaryan said. Baghdasaryan’s grandmother is a piano teacher and her mom is a graphic designer. Even with the her family’s pressure to quit, Baghdasaryan still continues on.

“I feel like I would do worse in school without performing,” Baghdasaryan said. Performing is what gives Baghdasaryan the motivation to continue on with her school work when it becomes too difficult to deal with. “Music keeps me going,” she said. Music gives Baghdasaryan a different life when the Clark life becomes too stressful or overwhelming. “It’s a refuge of beauty that sweeps me off my feet and transports me to my infinite utopia,” Baghdasaryan said.

Whether listening to music, dancing to music, or playing music, that is her purpose. She said that she would be no where without her love of music.

“Music is not just for listening, it is an experience,” Baghdasaryan said. Baghdasaryan believes that music is an enhancer. If someone who lives for music is listening to music, they will either feel amazing or horrible, depending on the type of genre and the situation they are in. Baghdasaryan also believes that music is a healer. It is a medicine. “Music can heal someone’s soul if they let it,” Baghdasaryan said. She believes that music can instantly make someone feel safe and loved if that person allows the music to fill their ears and their heart.