A math teacher at The-Out-of-Door Academy, Michael Saxton was a late addition to the Jazz Under the Stars concert at Waterside Place Tuesday.
Saxton, who has played the saxophone for 19 years, joked that he’d been harassed into performing with about a dozen ODA students during the Sights & Sounds free music series. Another ODA teacher asked Saxton's wife about his musical skills — the deal was done.
He ended up playing from the front row, alongside two of his math students (Junior Celia Rayman and senior Joe Clarke) during the school’s latest band and orchestra performance.
Saxton wasn’t the only ODA faculty member jamming under the pavilion. Ed Stiles works at ODA part-time and played the bass during the performance.
“I teach the Lower School band,” Stiles said. “I get them started in fourth and fifth grade.”
Upper School House Dean Mike Bornhorst was on stage at the band’s last concert, but sat this one out, preferring to be a spectator from his folding chair.
“It’s fun to collaborate with the kids,” he said of being a faculty member sitting alongside the students during a performance.
The band opened with a jazzed up version of “Bare Necessities,” which immediately had 3-year-old Kaia Kovacevic bouncing up and down in her front row seat.
Kovacevic attended the show with her dad Ljuvo Kovacevic. The family used to live in the heart of Waterside Place. Now, they live 10 minutes away and visit often.
“We lived here for three years, so we know every step and every corner,” he said. “It’s one of our favorite places.”
Out-of-Door Academy junior Celia Rayman, math teacher Michael Saxton and senior Joe Clarke get ready for their performance at Waterside Place on Feb. 27.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Ed Stiles, a part-time music teacher at Out-of-Door Academy, is playing with the band on Feb. 27 at Sights and Sounds.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Mike Bornhorst, Out-of-Door Academy Upper School house dean, came to watch the students and faculty play Sights and Sounds at Waterside Place.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Out-of-Door Academy students and faculty perform at Waterside Place on Feb. 27 for the Sights and Sounds series.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Kaia Kovacevic snacks before the show, but once the band started playing "Bare Necessities," the 3-year-old was bopping out of her seat.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Lakewood Ranch residents Marilyn and Marty Munch attend shows at Waterside Place regularly. They brought their own chairs and a pizza from the Good Liquid Brewing Company to enjoy Sights and Sounds on Feb. 27.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Bradenton residents Tim and Nancy Jarosik enjoy an evening out in Waterside Place after their granddaughter told them about Sights and Sounds.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Students and faculty of the Out-of-Door Academy perform under the pavilion at Waterside Place on Feb. 27.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
The latest installment of Waterside Place's Sights and Sounds series is held on Feb. 27.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Out-of-Door Academy freshmen Tom Bergerat, Brody Rose and Benja Garcia Argibay are members of the orchestra.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Out-of-Door Academy sophmore Evan Jarr, senior Ashlynn Calka and sophmore Kegan Gargano are at Sights and Sounds to watch their friends perform.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Cecilia and Kerry Gargano stand with their daughter Gavin, who is singing a solo in the show.
Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.
