Singing Sharks Make Debut At North Campus During Fall Concert

Seven months after retiring, music professor Carol Ann Steele’s legacy has been revived at North Campus.

This fall, the Singing Sharks took over for the North Star Singers, a choir Steele led for 18 years during her nearly three-decade-long career at Miami Dade College.

The new choir made its debut on Oct. 26 during an hour-long concert—Autumn Leaves—held in the 5000 building. They sported new regalia made by North Campus humanities professor Robert Remek, who oversees the group, and his wife, Mary Jo.

“My concept with the Singing Sharks is for it to be a group that allows students to perform a variety of styles,” Remek said.

The 61-year-old, who has taught at the College since 1994, started dabbling in music when he was five. His first instrument was the piano, which he played at his grandmother’s farm in rural Pennsylvania.

By age 11, he was playing the organ at his local church—St. Philip Parish—in Crossingville, P.A. When he was 15, he became a singing coach in his sophomore year at Northwestern High School in Albion, P.A.

After receiving a music scholarship to the University of Miami in 1978, Remek attained a bachelor’s degree in classical piano and a master’s degree in choral conducting. He has also earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Florida International University.

Remek has conducted choirs for the past 38 years at Catholic, Protestant and Presbyterian churches throughout Miami.

In 1987, he was one of two organists who performed during Pope John Paul II’s visit to South Florida.

Remek’s experience has helped him connect with his students at North Campus.

“He gets the job done,” said Ashley Escalante, who performs with the Singing Sharks. “Every once in a while when I lose count, I look up and he clearly conducts what beat we’re in.”

Escalante learned about the choir after receiving an email from Remek last August.

During the Autumn Leaves concert, she sang the song Best Part during the Singing Sharks Spotlight Performances.

To improve the group’s production, the Singing Sharks bought new studio audio monitors, two loudspeakers and eight choir microphones this fall to use during practice sessions. The equipment allows them to mimic concert-like conditions.

“This is something that’s going to last us a long time,” said Andres Quiroga, the Arts & Philosophy Chairperson at North Campus. “And it’s not just for the choir, but any musical ensemble now has the opportunity to use the equipment.”

In the past, North Campus choirs borrowed equipment from media services to conduct live performances.

“We have our equipment that we can use at any given time,” said Brasen White, who plays the drums and keyboard for the Singing Sharks. “We don’t have to bother anybody.”

When he was two, White started his musical career playing percussion at his grandfather’s church—New Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. He currently plays percussion at local churches throughout Miami—including the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, where he plays weekly with local Christian musician Levi Knowles.

The 18-year-old joined the North Star Singers last semester to sharpen his artistic skills.

“Music is a wonderful way of life,” White said. “If anybody wants to join [the Singing Sharks], follow your dream. [Don’t let anybody] tell you what you can and cannot do.”

The Singing Sharks, who have already performed at this year’s 9/11 ceremony, will present their first-holiday concert on Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. inside the North Campus Black Box Theatre in Room 5116.

In the coming months, the choir hopes to host more off-site performances and collaborate with the music department and choir ensembles at Kendall and Wolfson Campus.

“I’m just very excited to see where the future takes us,” Escalante said. “This group has the potential to go places.”

For more information about the Singing Sharks, contact humanities professor Robert Remek at (305) 237-1266 or rremek@mdc.edu.

Click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, The Hammerhead. For news tips, contact us at mdc.thereporter@gmail.com