Michael Bai ‘20, Jospehine Buccini ‘21
Two notable Episcopal alumni and artists are Becca Archambault ‘16 and Leah Marshant ‘16, both of whom are pursuing the arts to some degree in college. Although they engage in different artistic fields, the arts programs at EA and have influenced both individuals’ love for the arts over the years.
Leah Marchant is majoring in Industrial Design at Rhode Island School of Design, one of the best such programs in the country. She came to EA in sixth grade and displayed interest in the arts from an even earlier point in her life. Marchant has been a dancer since the age of four, participated in theatre since mi
ddle school, and played several instruments.
Marchant credits her high school art teachers at Episcopal- US Theater Department Chair and Teacher Daniel Clay, US Dance Teacher Cara Lavallee, former US Woodworking Teacher Charlie Post, and especially Chair of the Department of Visual Arts David Sigel- for building her love of the arts. She says, “Mr. Sigel pushed me to trust myself and really find my own way in sharing my voice.” Regarding the 2D classes she took at EA, Marchant says, “I strengthened my drawing ability and my confidence in my drawing.” Along with 2D art, Marchant’s participation in woodworking classes under Post influenced her artistic development. She says, “I think I realized I wanted to do industrial design as a major during my senior project at EA. I went through the whole design process for creating a brand of my own.” She designed wood framed eyeglasses and made prototypes, as well as creating a business plan, graphics, and a logo. Marchant comments, “This was a project that made me really realize the direction I wanted to go with my art was into design, product design, and advertisement.”
Marchants’ teachers note her drive, work ethic, and courage in the arts. Daniel Clay comments that she “wasn’t afraid to be herself” and “set an example of how to shine in all the arts and art forms.” Cara Lavallee says that Marchant is “so determined and everything she does she just puts her best effort into it.” Furthermore, David Sigel, Chair of Visual Arts Department and US Teacher, says that Marchant “shows that determination is needed to find success.” Current EA art student Paloma Zozaya ‘17 says, “She’s an amazing girl… she cares about the work that she’s doing.”
Becca Archambault ‘16 is another Episcopal alumn who is now involved in college arts. She is currently enrolled at Vanderbilt University, pursuing education policy and child studies. Like Marchant, she attended EA from the sixth to twelfth grades.
Having played both the violin and the saxophone throughout her seven years at EA, music was a key component in Archambault’s life from an early age. “The art instructors I had at EA were phenomena
l,” she says. “Mr. Finegan, Mrs. Bechtold (the orchestra teacher before Mr. Finegan), and Mr. Dankanich went out of their way to make the music program more of a family. They made sure to make everyone feel supported, and they made me feel I had a place on campus.”
Ryan Dankanich, MS/US Music Teacher, commends Archambault’s work ethic. Archambault played in the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, and Chamber Ensemble, making her the “first student to ever play in all four ensembles,” Dankanich notes. He says, “She was very insightful and thoughtful. She was a good kid.” Finegan, MS/US Music Teacher, shares a similar opinion of Archambault. He says, “She’s a very versatile musician.” Regarding Archambault’s participation and community interests, Finegan adds, “She wanted to work for the betterment of the entire group, not just herself.”
Archambault states that music at Episcopal was “a creative outlet, something that was different, exciting, and a challenge.” She continues, “The people I have met during music have all been really supportive and encouraging, and I have created bonds with them that I would have never made otherwise.”
In addition to playing saxophone for the Vanderbilt marching band, Archambault is in several ensembles for people interested in music but who are not necessarily studying it as a major. She is also involved with a music service sorority that participates in music-related community service such as teaching free music lessons to underprivileged children. “I think I will continue to play music throughout my life, not as a profession, but just as a fun, stress-relieving activity that I can do with my friends,” she says.
Several notable members of the EA arts program recognize Leah Marchant and Becca Archambault as exemplary figures, especially as they watch these former students continue their art beyond EA. They may follow different artistic paths, but both of them demonstrate how art of various forms can become a lasting fixture in one’s life.