“Self Portrait” by Katie McDowell (18), New Orleans Center for Creative Arts "An Old Man in Military Costume" by Simone Wuttke (18), Dartmouth College (recent Benjamin Franklin High School graduate) "This oil on canvas painting is inspired by Rembrandt's 'An Old...
Jordyn (15), Haynes Academy
FAVORITE HAPPY SONG: “Girl” by e Internet
BEST SONG TO CRY YOUR EYES OUT TO: “Praying” by Kesha
SONG I’M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT I LOVE: “Havana” (feat. Young ug) by Camila Cabello
SONG THAT MAKES ME DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING: “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST: Sarah & The Black Wahletts — I listened to some of their stuff through Sarah’s Instagram and enjoyed it.
E’njoli (17), KIPP Renaissance High School
FAVORITE HAPPY SONG: “Too Playa” (feat. 2 Chainz) by Migos
BEST SONG TO CRY YOUR EYES OUT TO: “Cursed” by Vivian Green
SONG I’M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT I LOVE: “One Love” by Whodini
SONG THAT MAKES ME DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING: “New Freezer” (feat. Kendrick Lamar) by Rich e Kid
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST: Ambré Perkins is my favorite local artist. In New Orleans it’s hard to make a brand for yourself because not many people support you. But I identify with many of the experiences she’s gone through; she has a different sound, and her style is so unique. My mother introduced me to her after a poetry slam and I immediately fell in love.
Nia (15), Lusher Charter School
FAVORITE HAPPY SONG: “Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston
BEST SONG TO CRY YOUR EYES OUT TO: “Stone Cold” by Demi Lovato and “Listen” by Beyoncé
SONG I’M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT I LOVE: “Rockstar” by Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus
SONG THAT MAKES ME DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING: “Crazy in Love” (feat. Jay-Z) by Beyoncé
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST: Tank and e Bangas — Tarriona “Tank” Ball and her bandmates know how to ll a space with energy and joy unlike any other band I’ve ever seen.
Maggie (16), New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
FAVORITE HAPPY SONG: “For Once in My Life” by Stevie Wonder
BEST SONG TO CRY YOUR EYES OUT TO: “Somedays” by Regina Spektor
SONG I’M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT I LOVE: “Pocketful of Sunshine” by Natasha Bedingfield
SONG THAT MAKES ME DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING: “DARE” by Gorillaz
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST: Maggie Koerner is a wonderful New Orleans singer-songwriter, both in her original and covered features. In first seeing her perform at the Sexism Project at Preservation Hall, her voice had such beautiful passion, and even in such a small and crowded space she poured herself entirely into her music.
Amya (16), Cohen College Prep High School
FAVORITE HAPPY SONG: “Family” by Di Genius & Chino
BEST SONG TO CRY YOUR EYES OUT TO: “Who You Are” by Jessie J
SONG I’M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT I LOVE: “Ease” (feat. Broods) by Troye Sivan
SONG THAT MAKES ME DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING: “Wild oughts” (feat. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller) by DJ Khaled
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST: Ambré Perkins because she has such an amazing vibe about her music, and is a pretty great lyricist.
Quinn (15), Ben Franklin High School
FAVORITE HAPPY SONG: “Shinin’” by Jonghyun
BEST SONG TO CRY YOUR EYES OUT TO: “Skinny Love” by Birdy and “Breathe” by Lee Hi
SONG I’M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT I LOVE: “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel/”Frozen” soundtrack (although the French version is better — “Libérée, Délivrée”)
SONG THAT MAKES ME DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING:“One Dance” (feat. Wizkid & Kyla) by Drake
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST: Fats Domino — His songs are classic favorites, and the music teacher at my elementary school used to play them in the mornings before school.