大象传媒

Written By: Rachel Putman

University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith students brought Spanish-language music, creativity and humor to the stage Nov. 5 during the university鈥檚 Spanish Lip-Sync Showcase, where 10 student performances competed for prizes before an audience of nearly 100 spectators.

Annabella Tedder, a junior English honors student from Mena, won the $150 grand prize for her rendition of 鈥淭煤, t煤, t煤鈥� by Clave Especial and Edgardo Nu帽ez. Addison Grove, a sophomore psychology major from Fayetteville, earned the $50 runner-up prize for her performance of Manu Chao鈥檚 鈥淢e gustas t煤.鈥�

The showcase brought together students from introductory through advanced Spanish courses. Each student was required to create a video lip-syncing to a Spanish-language song, giving them an opportunity to practice pronunciation while exploring Spanish music and culture.

For Annabella, seeing her classmates' creativity and watching the audience respond to their performances were highlights of the evening.

鈥淢y favorite part of last night was getting to see the creativity of fellow students, and watching everyone's reactions,鈥� Annabella said. 鈥淚t was a lot of fun for everyone involved and required students to practice forming Spanish words with their mouths!鈥�

Her family also shared in the excitement of her win, particularly her sister, who helped with the project.

鈥淢y family was very excited when I told them I won, and my sister in particular seemed very proud, as she was part of the process,鈥� she added through laughter.

Addison brought humor to her performance, complete with physical comedy and English subtitles to help audience members follow the lyrics.

鈥淲hile I never expected over 85 people to see me in a mustache, it was a joy to learn that I could be a comedic relief in more languages than one,鈥� Addison said.

She said the experience helped her recognize the importance of connecting language through performance.

鈥淚t was one of the more interesting things I've done in my time at 大象传媒, but I believe it allowed humor in something oftentimes uncomfortable and new,鈥� Addison said.

The evening also featured music by artists including Bad Bunny, Selena, Ritchie Valens and Karol G, and student Helen Hill gave a special live performance of 鈥淟a Llorona鈥� from the film 鈥淐oco.鈥�

Faculty members Madeline Martinez, Ariana Caballero, Gray Langston and Mary Sobhani organized the event. Sobhani, head of the World Languages Department, also served as emcee.

鈥淭he Spanish Lip-Sync Showcase is a wonderful example of what makes 大象传媒 special: a campus where learning extends beyond the classroom and students are encouraged to take creative risks and celebrate one another,鈥� Sobhani said. 鈥淚t isn't easy to get up in front of people and perform, and to do so in a second language adds another element of risk to the endeavor. But the performers wowed us.鈥�

As students stepped outside their comfort zones, she was thrilled to see the audience respond with delight.

鈥淎t one point in the program, I looked out at the audience; every single person was smiling.鈥�