Redmond Proficiency Academy Seniors Release Collection of Original Music
Vinnie Barraco and Vanya Crumrine performing from their collection of original songs.
Redmond Proficiency Academy seniors Vinnie Barraco and Vanya Crumrine recently released an EP of original music titled “Portraits.” The senior project effort is a four-track compilation of original songs that was composed, mastered and designed by the students over the course of the 2022-23 school year.
Crumrine said work on the EP began when she and Barraco returned from summer break for their senior year, entering the school year with a lot of music energy and ideas after being involved in a larger band the previous year.
“Vinnie and Vanya spent countless hours working on this project; it is a synthesis of the skills they have developed over their years at RPA and in Music Lab class,” said Jonathan Moore, RPA’s Music Director. “I am very proud of the maturity of their work.”
The students chose the name “Portraits” for the album as every song was about someone in their lives and how they relate to them.
They described the album as alternative folk with an emphasis on finger-style guitar, with all songs beginning with a finger-style progression written by Barraco. Each song is unique, bringing out different styles and instrument choices, Crumrine explained.
On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Barraco and Crumrine performed at Experience RPA, an event for students and families to preview RPA’s educational offerings, and on March 3 for a student and staff-only concert on the RPA campus. They are also busy promoting the EP and trying to get additional public performances lined up.
“We are very thankful to Mr. Moore for his constructive criticism and words of advice,” Crumrine said. “We wouldn’t have done so well without him.”
The duo are already working on their next project and are eager to get working on new music before graduation and going their separate ways.
“None of this would have been possible without the absolutely amazing music programs that RPA has,” Crumrine said. “To be able to tackle music in a more “real-world” sense is such a blessing. I am beyond grateful to Mr. Moore and all that help with our music and I deeply hope that what Vinnie and I created through RPA can be an example to other music students hoping to achieve similar goals. No other school can match what RPA has.”
Crumrine and Barraco’s collection of songs can be heard here: “Portraits.”
