Solid Foundation…

Evan Dauphinais dons a fedora and a smile

The sun was shining through the huge Hynes Convention Center window behind the Woodstock Academy Jazz Band performing in room 206. Sophomore Percussionist Evan Dauphinais, donning a black fedora, was laying down the beat.

“Good drums, solid foundation…” said one of the judges as he began the panel’s assessment of the band’s performance. It seemed like just another chapter in the epic story that’s unfolded over the past 43 years of the Berklee High School Jazz Festival. It wasn’t just another chapter, and Evan isn’t just another jazz percussionist.

Two days before the Festival, when other competitors were practicing, packing, and posting to their facebook pages, Evan was undergoing chemotherapy at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute to treat his Hodgkins Lymphoma.

“Playing makes me forget that I’m sick.” Evan was up on the morning of the Festival to speak with Berklee Dean of Students, Larry Bethune and VP for Special Events, Rob Rose. “After the interview, Evan said he didn’t feel well, and took a nap,” said his Mom, Lori Moran. “Two hours later he was performing in the competition.”

Complementing Evan’s medical treatments is his use of music therapy. Every Friday Evan has music therapy with Brian, an alum of the Berklee Music Therapy program. Lori explained, “Evan and Brian have become very close friends, and Evan will tell you the music therapy is the best thing to come from this whole experience.”

Recounting an experience that might hint at a future career option for Evan, Lori shared a great story about one of Evan’s recent treatments at Dana Farber, “Brian will often leave his guitar for Evan to play during his chemo treatments. This one time Evan was jamming away in a room shared by other patients undergoing treatment – everything from ‘Old MacDonald’ to ‘Here Comes the Sun’ — and everyone within earshot could hear it. After his treatment was over, the nurses came over and thanked Evan for lifting the spirits of the other patients and the staff with his playing.”

There’s a recurring theme when you listen to Evan speak, “You just need to do what you love, have fun, and stay positive.” Fortunately, for those listening on Saturday in room 206 at the 43rd Annual Berklee High School Jazz Festival, what Evan loves came through loud and clear – that young man can drum.

We will see you next year, Evan, stay strong!