Pinewood Performing Arts students traveled to Iceland in February, where they performed at three venues and explored the country’s natural and cultural landmarks. Students stayed in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, and spent most of their time outdoors — the trip was filled with mountains, beaches, geothermal hot springs, and more.
Actors, singers, and dancers performed at a church, a school, and a retirement home, with each location providing a unique experience.
“Personally, my favorite [show] was the school because we got to meet Icelandic high schoolers and talk to them, but I enjoyed all of them so much,” freshman Pinewood Singers member Sallie Haun said.
Haun said that each performance had a slightly different atmosphere and energy, ranging from formal and structured at the cathedral to highly energetic and casual at the school. Performing the same repertoire in different environments helped students adjust the show to their setting and audience, she said.
“It was really cool to get all those performing experiences in one trip and understand how different they feel, even when doing the same songs or dances,” Haun said.
Outside of performances, singers and dancers engaged in a variety of excursions designed to introduce students to Iceland’s landscape and culture. Freshman Hattie Kaufmann, another member of Pinewood Singers, enjoyed the wide array of activities.
“This trip was really special because it had something to offer for everyone,” Kaufmann said. “We went whale watching, saw a lava show, went to the gorgeous blue lagoon, and so much more. With all these things to do, there was definitely something for all of us to enjoy.”
The PPA also visited several famous waterfalls, saw the northern lights, visited a black sand beach, went to a Viking museum, and enjoyed free time in downtown Reykjavik. The group dined at many local restaurants, including steakhouses and a pizzeria.
“Through these experiences, we’ve definitely explored Iceland thoroughly and had so much fun,” Kaufmann said.
Head of the Performing Arts Department Katie Linza said Iceland was chosen as this year’s destination for both its cultural and artistic inspiration, such as the outdoor scenery and architecture.
“I thought it would be a really unique opportunity and that Iceland would have its own interesting musical culture,” Linza said. “The landscape here is so gorgeous and stark and just artistically inspiring. I also polled last year’s choir, and they were really excited about it.”
Linza and the other trip organizers focused on balancing recreation with performance; even on days where students put on a show, a fun activity followed soon after.
“They actually did a really good job with [that balance],” Haun said. “Throughout the trip, [there wasn’t a single day where I was bored at all, and I think we both performed and explored Iceland the perfect amount.”
Kaufmann shared how she felt extremely grateful for the opportunity to visit the beautiful country and perform for the people, so much so that she did not want the trip to end.
“Overall, I’m so glad I came on this trip,” Kaufmann said. “I had so much fun and the experience was just so special and unique. I can’t wait for next year!”
