By Linda White
Bedford High School (BHS) has been fortunate over the years to have had multiple examples of siblings who have excelled musically and who have appeared in the annual musical productions. Since 2015, two very talented sisters with powerful voices have graced the stage and entertained Bedford audiences. If you do not already know them, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Natalie and Tracie Lewis.
Both Natalie and Tracie are members of the BHS Honors Choir and had roles in Cinderella and Middletown. Most recently they appeared in the September 2016 Musical Theatre Cabaret evening. It was an opportunity for them to personally select numbers that showcased their individual styles.
Among their song selections, each sister included works from Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World. Look for their performances this weekend in the BHS production of Peter and the Starcatcher.
Music is just part of who they are, and they have varied musical interests that cover most of the music genres. Natalie leans toward jazz, soul, R&B, Motown and has even recently grown to love opera. Tracie loves rock, especially the Beatles, the Doors, and One Direction. The sisters also share a love of show tunes.
Katrina Faulstich, Bedford High School Choral and Theater Director, explained, “Natalie and Tracie are both wonderful additions to our music department. They aren’t afraid to try new things, and I love how they jumped right into our department when they were new here last year. They have great personalities, and they are nice to everyone.”
When they are not singing or academically engaged, they spend time at their first part-time jobs – Natalie at Old Navy and Tracie at Bruegger’s Bagels. Their BHS extra-curricular activities include the Tenacity Challenge, and Art Club. Tracie is a student representative to the Bedford School Committee and was a member of the BHS principal search committee last year. Additionally, the Lewis sisters are proud to be counted among the five students who recently founded the BHS Black Student Association (BSA.)
Christopher Zellner, BHS teacher and BSA advisor commented, “Tracie and Natalie are intelligent, friendly and well organized. They are mature beyond their years. I hope one day that one or both of them consider running for a political office. I believe that “Governor Lewis” has a nice ring to it. My only fear is that we will lose them to one of the other states in which they have lived like Florida or Maryland.”
Natalie, a member of the Class of 2017, and Tracy a member of the Class of 2018, moved to Bedford when their father was transferred from Maryland to Hanscom Air Force Base in June 2015. The five-year assignment in Maryland was the longest length of time in one location for the family. Other assignments included Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, and California.
Speaking about the various places they have lived, both girls recalled specific military assignments by the friends they had made in each location. Natalie commented, “It has been challenging and hard to move on and leave friends behind knowing you will have to start all over again making new friendships and adjusting to a new school, but it also helps to build character.” Tracie explained, “Our assignment to Hanscom Air Force Base is the first time we have actually lived on a formal base, complete with stores and services. The necessary level of security when living on a base can seem isolating because it makes it more difficult to leave the base and have friends come onto the base.”
Natalie has recently completed her college applications to a number of East Coast school with strong Music/Voice programs. She also loves Math. Tracie is looking ahead to applying next year to colleges in California. She is interested in majoring in Criminology and minoring in Spanish.
About Peter and the Starcatcher
Please come out, support and enjoy the Lewis sisters and all the talented Bedford students who will be in front of and behind the curtain this weekend in the BHS Theater Department production of Peter and the Starcatcher on November 18, 19 and 20 — a play by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.
The whimsical play tells the story of how a young orphan became the boy who never grew up. Featuring 18 eighteen actors playing hundreds of characters, this timeless story is sure to delight the young and the young at heart. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors and can be purchased in advance www.BhsChorusandTheater.weebly.com or at the door.
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