Talent Winner Shares Passion for Music and Theatre

Almost a year ago, 19-year-old sophomore, Armand Lane, from Tottenville, Staten Island confidently looked straight into the audience, lightly brushed the ivory piano keys with his steady hands, and jump-started his Adelphi musical career. “Slow down, you crazy child. You're so ambitious for a juvenile…" He sang. The crowd silenced. The Piano Man had arrived.

Lane, the singer/songwriter/pianist was awarded first-place that November night and won the grand prize total of $500 at the close of Cause to Achieve Leadership, Intelligence, Brotherhood, Excellence, and Respect’s (C.A.L.I.B.E.R) talent show. Competing amongst 20 other contestants and celebrating his first award ever, Lane triumphed over even those whose talent earned them features on television.

Although Lane, a determined theatre major, has never had any professional vocal training, his strong, booming voice was praised along with the original untitled piece he debuted after his first song, "Vienna," by Billy Joel. The composition took him months to write and was finally completed the night before the show. Its upbeat tempo and positive message about self-discovery did much to land Lane a spot in the top-three winners' circle where the audience's applause crowned him the victor.

Sporting a light blue polo and dark blue Yankee sneakers, the 5-foot-8-inch Waldo Hall resident explains that his on-stage confidence comes from experience in high school productions, past talent shows and small coffee shop gigs.

A pianist since he was five and singer and songwriter since he was 13, Lane is a Billy Joel and Yankees fanatic (if you couldn't tell by his sneakers), who enjoys politics and hanging out with friends. However, singing, songwriting, playing the piano, and even acting play large roles in Lane's life.

Since his first big win last autumn, Lane has found himself immersed in spotlight in Adelphi’s Performing Arts Center with large roles in Hamlet, Street Scene, Broadway Connections, and many others.

"I'll take it as far as it may, but I have no way of knowing where it will go," says Lane as he contemplates the future of his budding musical career. "Just to enjoy it is what it's all about," said Lane after explaining that he does not plan, for now, on taking professional vocal training lessons or pursuing his talent in a high-scaled fashion.

Photo courtesy of Armand Lane