April 7, 2024
Eleven students from the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) music program showcased their talents before a live audience of millions when they performed as backup singers for the English singer-songwriting sensation Raye, during her musical guest appearance on the April 6 episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL) on NBC.
In March, Raye made history by taking home a record-breaking six 2024 Brit Awards for her debut studio album “21st Century Blues.” Billboard magazine called Raye’s album “an evocative tour de force of fearless songwriting and bombastic vocal performances.”
The students who sang backup as Raye performed her hit songs, “Escapism” and “Worth It,” are members of the BMCC Chamber Singers. The Chamber Singers are often called upon to perform at higher profile events because, as BMCC music program Professor and Chair Eugenia Oi Yan Yau explains, “they are exceptionally talented and well prepared by our fantastic faculty and curriculum.”
Students in BMCC’s music program study theory, keyboard skills, ear-training and sight-singing. Graduates of the program are prepared to enter a variety of majors at senior colleges and pursue a range of occupations in the music industry.
Over the years, BMCC music students have performed with singers such as Gloria Estefan at the U.S Open and at other high-profile events including fashion shows. In addition, the students have served as choral ambassadors for the casual wear designer Uniqlo’s flagship retail store on Fifth Avenue.
“Our music program provides students with the education and training to achieve the highest standard of professionalism and the industry recognizes this,” said Professor Yau, who said when she told the students the news about SNL, they were thrilled, although some of them thought it was an April Fool’s joke.
Students were beyond excited to perform with Raye on SNL
“When I got the call, my jaw just dropped,” said Jaime Andrés Diaz Granados Almanza, one of the singers who was chosen to perform. “A month ago, I was unfamiliar with RAYE until her songs and videos began to appear all over my social media. Now I will sing, alongside my friends in the major, with a great artist that I am a fan of.”
Diaz Granados Almanza, an international student from Colombia, said he is beyond grateful to the BMCC music program, “not only for the valuable education but the extremely important opportunities for my musical career that they have made available to me.”
BMCC singer Stephanie Marrow agrees, adding that the music program has been nothing short of life-changing.
“I knew opportunities would open up for me when I decided to come back to school, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be accomplishing so much in my music career before even leaving school,” said Marrow, who grew up in Stoughton Mass. “I was so ecstatic and relieved when I found out that other choir members would be a part of this experience with me. What a moment to share.”
Eli Salazar, who grew up in Brooklyn and Staten Island says she was recovering from a fever when she got the news about performing on SNL with Raye.
“I immediately called Dr. Yau, because I just couldn’t believe it was true,” said Salazar.
She says when she first enrolled at BMCC, she wasn’t sure what to expect from the music program, she just knew she wanted to increase her musical skills.
“The last year of my life has been full of opportunities and a tremendous amount of learning,” said Salazar. “I feel so connected and seen by my professors and the music program as a whole. I would recommend the program to anyone starting out and to anyone searching for their next step with kindred spirits.”
In addition to Diaz Granados Almanza, Marrow and Salazar, the BMCC singers included; Jasmina Daniello, Shaina Louis, Ashley Turcan, Isabel Alvarez, Shannon Margaret Layburn, Helena Rosasco, Gabriel Sam Kerolle, Michael O’Donnell and Dylan LaBella.
Watch the BMCC Chamber Singers as they sing backup for Raye as she performs her hit songs “ Escapism” and “Worth It.”
Watch BMCC’s promotional video recorded prior to the SNL performance.
Editor’s note: Although 12 BMCC music students were scheduled to perform on SNL, Jaime Andrés Diaz Granados Almanza was unable to participate.
- Watch the BMCC Chamber Singers as they sing backup for Raye as she performs her hit songs “ Escapism” and “Worth It.”
- Eleven students from the BMCC music program showcased their talents before a live audience of millions
- Watch BMCC’s promotional video recorded prior to the SNL performance.
