ROCKPORT — The Camden Hills Regional High School Visual and Performing Arts department has named high school senior Simon Fedarko as its Student of the Month for the month of February.

Simon has been very active in the CHRHS Music Department during his tenure at Camden Hills, according to CHRHS, in a news release. He currently performs as lead alto sax player for the concert band and lead tenor sax for the jazz band.

In addition to a number of improvised solos this spring, he will be the featured soloist in the jazz band for the ballad Dead of Night by Maine composer Terry White.

Simon began playing during fifth grade. The more he played, the more he began to enjoy it, as well as listening to jazz music (his favorites are Count Basie and Duke Ellington).  

His natural jazz style and keen musical ear were further developed by the study of piano, study at Mid-Coast Music Academy, as well as inspiration from various teachers.   

In addition to his participation in the school ensembles, he also performed in the pit orchestra for the Camden Hills Production of Anything Goes.

Simon really enjoys playing swing music and practicing new styles of improvisation. He hopes to continue to play during post-secondary study and knows that jazz music will always be a part of his life, either as a participant or an active listener.  

His advice to young music students: “stick with it – even if your friends don’t!”