Andres Forero

Chautauqua Lake Central School recently hosted “Hamilton” drummer Andres Forero for two presentations shared with students from other districts throughout the county.

The Rochester area native played selections from “Hamilton,” as well as “In the Heights,” an earlier musical by the same creative team and which, Forero explained, “has the same DNA” as “Hamilton.” Both shows won numerous Tony Awards on Broadway.

Forero also introduced volunteers from the audience to a Puerto Rican spiritual; after teaching the singers the Spanish lyrics, melody and harmony, he accompanied the impromptu chorus on a hand drum.

Asked how he landed the Broadway jobs, Forero explained that good character is as important as musical ability. Just as you have to build good credit by paying your bills on time, he told students, you have to build credibility as a person, being responsible and treating others with kindness and respect. When a fellow musician was unable to accept a Broadway job, he remembered working with Forero and recommended him, both as a musician and a person.

The presentations were arranged by music teacher Jennifer Davis, who went to high school with Forero, and were made possible with the support of the Chautauqua Lake Music Boosters and Erie2 BOCES, as well as Chautauqua Lake Central School District. Frewsburg, Maple Grove, Panama and Westfield students attended in person, alongside Chautauqua Lake students, while Erie2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES live streamed the presentations to Cassadaga, Dunkirk, Forestville, Jamestown and Pine Valley, as well as a Distance Learning class for students from Clymer, Forestville Frewsburg and Sherman.