- November 23, 2024
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A math teacher at The-Out-of-Door Academy, Michael Saxton was a late addition to the Jazz Under the Stars concert at Waterside Place Tuesday.
Saxton, who has played the saxophone for 19 years, joked that he’d been harassed into performing with about a dozen ODA students during the Sights & Sounds free music series. Another ODA teacher asked Saxton's wife about his musical skills — the deal was done.
He ended up playing from the front row, alongside two of his math students (Junior Celia Rayman and senior Joe Clarke) during the school’s latest band and orchestra performance.
Saxton wasn’t the only ODA faculty member jamming under the pavilion. Ed Stiles works at ODA part-time and played the bass during the performance.
“I teach the Lower School band,” Stiles said. “I get them started in fourth and fifth grade.”
Upper School House Dean Mike Bornhorst was on stage at the band’s last concert, but sat this one out, preferring to be a spectator from his folding chair.
“It’s fun to collaborate with the kids,” he said of being a faculty member sitting alongside the students during a performance.
The band opened with a jazzed up version of “Bare Necessities,” which immediately had 3-year-old Kaia Kovacevic bouncing up and down in her front row seat.
Kovacevic attended the show with her dad Ljuvo Kovacevic. The family used to live in the heart of Waterside Place. Now, they live 10 minutes away and visit often.
“We lived here for three years, so we know every step and every corner,” he said. “It’s one of our favorite places.”