Sanjna Vel will be in a New York state of mind for Morristown Onstage, March 1

Sanjna Vel, Morristown Onstage finalist, Jan. 7, 2023. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
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By Marion Filler

It was the intro to New York State of Mind that caught the attention of Sanjna Vel, a freshman at Morristown High School.

“I always liked Billy Joel my whole life, and then I heard the introduction and though that was really cool and jazzy and fun,” said Vel. An accomplished pianist and vocalist who has been singing and playing since she was 4, Vel plans to accompany herself at Morristown Onstage on March 1, 2023.

Sanjna Vel, a 2023 finalist for Morristown Onstage. Photo by Marion Filler

She is among 13 finalists competing for cash prizes at the 16th annual edition of the contest, a benefit for the Morris Educational Foundation at the Mayo Performing Arts Center.

It’s open to amateur entertainers who live, work or study in Greater Morristown, and to graduates of Morristown High.

Billy Joel wrote New York State of Mind in 1976, long before Vel was born. But her musical training has prepared her for what she describes as Joel’s “musically complex” compositions.

She started learning both piano and classical Hindustani vocals as a child, and feels like music always has been a part of her life. Vel and her sister took private lessons and performed together, instilling the kind of confidence that comes from a lifetime of preparation.

But Billy Joel is a far cry from Hindustani music which, among other things, uses a more complex system of scales than Western music.

“Yes, it is very different from Western music. Everything about it is so different,” acknowledged Vel. But the transition, not unlike learning another language, had its rewards. “I actually think having to learn Indian music and then the other has given me so much variety that I can do a lot more things.”

Vel started with a Billy Joel keyboard book to get the basics for the introduction, and when she had it down, played it for her teacher at the Denville Music Academy. Encouraged to master the entire song on the piano, Vel then went on to tackle the vocal.

Pianist Sanjna Vel, Morristown Onstage finalist, Jan. 7, 2023. Photo by Jeff Sovelove

“Singing is a bit tricky. I had to work on that a lot. Piano has always been my main passion, so the vocal will be the most difficult part.”

And then there is the prospect of appearing on the grand MPAC stage before 1,300 people.

“I’ve never played and sang before a big audience ever,” acknowledged Vel, whose experience consists of small recitals.

Yet she said she is looking forward to it. Her premiere will be a busy one –her solo performance will be followed by a quick costume change, to join the cast ensemble for a preview of Cinderella, the M.H.S. spring musical.

The 16th edition of Morristown Onstage, a fundraiser for the Morris Educational Foundation, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $35-$85, at MPAC’s box office, at 100 South St., Morristown, 973-539-8008.

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