By Kaylin Tran

Entertainment Editor

The students sat around the room with smiles spread across their faces as they focused on the one passion they all had in common: music. Despite the multiple instruments and voices of differing genres that filled the air, the sound was harmonious.

Room B242 may be just an ordinary math class to some students, but members of the Unplugged Club call it home. Eric Hoenigmann, math teacher and advisor of the club, opens his classroom everyday during lunch and after school to allow students to practice their music.

Rehearsals are held every Thursday. They are loosely structured to allow each person to use their time however they want.

Seniors David Zacharias and Kate Correnti begin the meeting by briefing members on future events and performances. Then, they move onto reminding their members to practice gratitude and respect, to build a positive environment. These messages are a new addition to Unplugged’s rehearsals as of this semester.

“We want [Unplugged] to be a safe space for everyone to share their music,” stated Zacharias.

After the announcements, the members break off to practice, either individually or in small groups, for an hour. Several students will volunteer to give a performance to wrap up each rehearsal.

Hoenigmann has a variety of instruments that he allows club members to use. They can not only practice on their own, but also teach those who are interested in learning how to play an instrument.

Although many of the rehearsals are not mandatory, some members make the effort to attend as many as they can.

Freshman Ollin de la Rosa is grateful for the available space.

“The fact that there’s music here speaks for itself,” explained de la Rosa. “Sometimes I really need a creative break and this is the only way I can use a guitar at school.”

But the open access to instruments is not the only thing that keeps people coming back.

For senior Kurman Lam, the club became his home away from home when he moved to Gabrielino last year.

“I was new and didn’t know many people,” revealed Lam, “but when I joined Unplugged, I found ways to play my music with many great friends.”

Seniors Elyse Magallanes and Arianna Hernandez noted that there are no cliques within the club. Rather, they are a close-knit community of people who all share the same passion in music and appreciate the opportunity to perform to others, which is what makes them and the other members proud to call each other family.