Teacher brings history alive with music

Angelique Flores

When 6-year-old Casey Africano came home singing about “The Huntington

Beach Pier,� her mom, Michelle, thought it was a catchy tune.

Little did she know that she’d hear Casey’s voice on some Huntington

Beach songs that will be on a compact disc.

Along with music teacher Nelda Alvarez, several local children, ages 4

to 13, are recording a CD with original songs about Surf City.

A professional singer and songwriter, Alvarez researched the history

of Huntington Beach and wrote songs about the city to teach children in

her classes at local schools.

The songs, in styles ranging from reggae to folk and rap, tell about

the early Pacific Railroad, the city’s first names and the pioneers of

Huntington Beach.

Alvarez put the songs together into an original play, “The History of

Huntington Beach ... A Musical� for Perry Elementary School to perform in

May. Some of the songs include “The Newland House,� “Bolsa Chica

Wetlands� and “Meet the HB Streets.�

“It’s phenomenal,� said Cindi Willis, whose two children are featured

singers on the album. “These kids are learning history about their city

while they’re singing.�

Not realizing what they’re learning, the children just think “it’s

really cool� to be sing the songs on a CD, as 6-year-old Nicole Willis

put it.

In getting the songs out to more children, Alvarez recorded the CD,

which she hopes to sell throughout the city.

Besides distributing the CD, Alvarez is selling rights to the musical,

which has piqued interest at Eader, Hawes and Kettler elementary schools.

Huntington Seacliff Elementary recently bought the performing rights to

the musical to have its own performance March 28.

“I want ‘Music With a Message’ to be in all the schools,� Alvarez

said. “Instead of playing outside, they can be learning though music.�

Besides trying to teach her students through her after-school “Music

With a Message� music program, Alvarez said she wants to help her

community. Profits from the CD will benefit the Huntington Beach

Historical Society.

But Alvarez gets her own rewards too.

“When they sing a song for me, I’m in heaven,� she said.

And so are the children.

“This is as close to being Christina Aguilera as they’re going to get

right now,� she said.

Anyone interested in purchasing the CD can order at [email protected]

or by calling (714) 222-0382.