On Saturday, May 22, we celebrated the creativity and passion of our students and alumni in a special virtual performance fundraiser. The initial broadcast was viewed by Clonlara families, friends, and other supporters from Ann Arbor to Tokyo, who tuned in to see and hear some of our most-talented musicians and dancers! The event was a great success, raising more than $2,000 to support Clonlara’s operations and growth.
THANK YOU to everyone who attended, donated, and helped spread the word about this wonderful event, and most of all, to our fantastic alumni performers for making this contribution to our school!
If you missed the show or want to see it again, you can still watch the recording here, share it with friends, and donate.
Special THANKS to our event sponsor: North Coast Education Services
Clonlara School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
Meet Our Performers
Ariel ’15, Zoey ’15, and Eli ’17 Engelbert, TV and Music Stars
Before graduating from Clonlara, Ariel, Zoey & Eli already had two nationally syndicated television shows, a 2015 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Original Song, and countless collaborations with celebrity guests on their show! Today, these talented siblings continue to write music, perform concerts, and expand their musical interests to the delight of their loyal fanbase around the world.
Jezabel Martínez ’06, Violinist and Composer
Professional violinist and composer Jezabel Martínez not only graduated from Clonlara in 2006—she came back as a staff member, working to grow Clonlara’s Spanish Program before leaving to focus on her full-time musical career. Jezabel is versatile performer whose repertoire includes Celtic, classic rock, and metal performances! She has composed soundtracks for films and documentaries and appeared on national radio shows in Spain to discuss music, art, and philosophy.
Jezabel has received numerous awards and accolades in her career. Her celebrated album “Sacred Geometry” is based on music and mathematics, and she is currently working on her second album as a composer, which will be titled “Wake Up.”
Sari Brown ’06, Singer
During her high school years in Clonlara’s Off-Campus Program, Sari Brown focused on creating music and recorded her first professional studio album when she was 16! She says she loved that Clonlara gave her “the flexibility to start a music career and so much more.” After graduating from Clonlara in 2006 and then completing college, Sari conducted anthropological research, living and working in Peru, Bolivia, Columbia, and Brazil before returning to Michigan. She is now a musician and pastor and describes herself as “equal parts a child of Motown music, mystical chants, and Andean folkloric dance.”
As a true lifelong learner, Sari continues to refine, expand, and explore her own personal sense of purpose for her life and says she decided to return to music as her “primary tool of creating the kind of healing spaces of spiritual growth that our world needs.” In May, Sari will release her second album titled The Holy Broken Heart.
Read our Alumni Spotlight on Sari Brown.
Katie and Sarah Daniel ’16, Professional Dancers, Rockettes
By the time Katie and Sarah Daniel graduated from Clonlara in 2016, they were already on their way to a career in professional dance. The twin sisters from the metro Detroit area started dancing at age 2 and booked their first professional show at just 10 years old. During their high school years, they used the flexibility of Clonlara’s Off-Campus Program to pursue their dreams, balancing their studies with an intense dance training schedule.
At age 18, they achieved their goal of moving to New York City to become professional dancers when after two auditions, they were chosen to perform on “The Great Stage” as Radio City Rockettes! In the years ahead, Katie and Sarah say they “wish to pursue all that the entertainment industry has to offer.”
Luke Spring (Class of 2021), Tap Dance
While not yet an alum, Luke Spring will graduate from Clonlara this year and has already made a name for himself in the world of professional dance. He has been tap-dancing since he was 4 years old and has earned plenty of opportunities to showcase his talents. In 2012, Luke was part of the original Broadway cast of A Christmas Story, The Musical. He performed in Maurice Hines Is Tappin’ Through Life and Arena Stage’s production of Disney’s Newsies. You might even recognize him from appearances on TV shows like The Ellen DeGeneres Show and So You Think You Can Dance!
In an industry with unpredictable hours, Luke says Clonlara provides the freedom “to train in the arts and pursue my passions while staying up-to-speed on my education.” After graduation, he hopes to continue his career in the performing arts and find a way to help Alzheimer’s patients through dance.
Read our Student Spotlight on Luke Spring.
Benjamin Sutin ’11, Jazz Violin
Growing up in a musical family, Ben Sutin developed an interest in string instruments early on. He completed his high school diploma with Clonlara in 2011, then moved to New York City to attend the Manhattan School of Music. Ben says he is motivated by a passion to connect with people of all creeds through his music. He is an accomplished violinist, violist, pianist, and composer working in a host of musical genres including jazz, Latin jazz, rock, and klezmer, which he brings together in his third and most recent album, Hard Bop Hannukah.
Ben also teaches jazz and improvisation and describes his teaching style as “being able to harness what I teach to the very specific needs and personality of the student,” which he attributes to his experience of homeschooling through Clonlara.
Read our Alumni Spotlight on Ben Sutin.
