Michael Palermo blends R&B, pop and jazz on the strings of his ukulele. The second-year environmental science student said he kick-started his music career in the summer of 2019 when he took a music industry class which introduced him to songwriting. Read more...

Photo: Second-year environmental science student Michael Palermo is inspired by artists such as Amy Winehouse for his R&B-, pop- and jazz-inspired music. Winehouse’s major seventh chord usage and frequent vocal runs carry over into his music where he discusses topics typically seen as taboo – such as people queerbaiting in Los Angeles. To write his songs, Palermo said he uses the “nugget method” to quickly brainstorm lyrics and instrumentals. (Liz Ketcham/Photo editor)

The van Renterghem twins can’t help but complete each other’s sentences – both in conversation and in music. Fourth-year music performance students Eliana van Renterghem and Elizabeth van Renterghem have been studying flute performance for the past decade. Read more...

Photo: Twin sisters Eliana van Renterghem and Elizabeth van Renterghem, who will perform in the Mindful Music concert series Wednesday, have been studying the flute for the past decade. Though they do perform as individual flutists, Eliana said their connection as twins helps them to communicate as they perform together, and the pair intends to continue focusing on orchestral training. (Niveda Tennety/Assistant Photo editor)