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When Chief Musician Kristine Hsia takes the stage at SUNY Fredonia on Oct. 21 with the United States Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble, it will be a true homecoming.

The Commodores perform a free concert on Monday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center’s King Concert Hall. Hsia, a 2010 Fredonia graduate (B.F.A., Musical Theatre), is the Commodores vocalist and had what she called a life-changing experience as a result of performing on the King stage.

“The pops concert I did my senior year changed my life,” she said.

Hsia was one of eight student vocalists selected for Rockefeller Arts Center’s Commencement-Eve Pops production of “All That Jazz” in May 2010.

In preparing for the performance, Hsia worked closely with Bruce Johnstone, then a School of Music faculty member and director of Jazz Studies. She considers Johnstone, who is now retired from Fredonia, a mentor. He was the person who later encouraged Hsia to audition for the Navy Band.

“Bruce Johnstone was in charge of the big band for the pops concert and the theme was centered around big band music,” Hsia recalled. “He had been a featured guest artist with the (Navy) band, and I remember him reaching out and saying, ‘These gigs are once in a lifetime, and there’s an opening, and I think you’d be a great fit.’ It was so encouraging and thoughtful of him to reach out, and I’m grateful he did.”

Hsia is now in her 12th year in the U.S. Navy, the last 10 of which she has been performing as the vocalist with the Commodores. Prior to joining the Commodores, Hsia was the vocalist for the navy’s 7th Fleet Band.

“I’ve been able to visit almost all of the continental United States by being on the road through my job,” she said. “I think some of my favorite sights have been hiking in Utah and Colorado and listening to music in Nashville and New Orleans.”

To top it off, Hsia said she gets to perform live every night with a diverse and talented group of musicians. In addition, she looks forward to performing at major music conferences, like the Midwest Clinic and the Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference, and the Navy Band’s International Saxophone Symposium every January. “It’s an incredible night of music every year,” Hsia said.

Originally from Long Island, Hsia said she was drawn to Fredonia because of its theatre and dance program. Her time on campus created memories ranging from the snow in winter to “logging many, many hours in practice rooms and acting studio A.”

She still recalls the “very strong sense of community amongst my classmates.”

“I felt like I could flourish in the environment my professors fostered, and that the program provided,” Hsia said.

Her list of favorite classes and faculty members is long and includes ballroom dance classes with SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Paul Mockovak, Directing I with Dr. Thomas Loughlin, Modern Dance with Sam Kenney, Theater Tech with Steve Rees, voice lessons with Shinobu Takagi, Costume Shop with Laurel Walford and working with Johnstone.

In addition to the 2010 Commencement Eve Pops concert, Hsia considers the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series productions of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (2007-08), “Urinetown” (2008-09) and “Kiss Me Kate” (2009-10) as favorite Fredonia performances.

Away from the stage, Hsia still makes time for music and likes to listen to “a little bit of everything.”

“Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson are two of my favorite jazz singers,” she said. “Other artists I enjoy are Laufey, Jamie Cullum, Bill Withers, Lake Street Dive, and recently I’ve done a deep dive into KPOP. Oh, and “Hadestown” is an original Broadway cast recording I have on repeat!”

While the Oct. 21 performance by the United States Navy Band Commodores jazz ensemble is free, Ticketsare required. They are available online 24/7. Tickets may also be purchased on Monday, Wednesday or Friday by phone at (716) 673-3501 or in person at the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center during the same hours.

The concert is presented by Rockefeller Arts Center and sponsored by The Observer, The Post-Journal and radio stations WDOE and KIX as part of the 2024-25 Lake Shore Savings Season.