RETURNING TO CHOATE FOR SAC CONCERT, JUSTIN MITCHELL ’06 SINGS, PLAYS
By Angelica Calabrese '10
News Reporter
Finding the perfect balance between a passion for music and a passion for sports may seem difficult, but Choate graduate Justin Mitchell ’06 finds the time to enjoy both. Liz Spaulding ’08 describes Justin as “a triple threat—sick hockey flow, the piano-playing skills of a god, and perfectly defined quads.” Now a freshman at Tufts University, Mitchell has become very involved in music, writing his own songs and performing regularly. Choate students will get the chance to see him on May 16th , when he will perform at the SAC with drummer and backup vocalist Elijah Dabney ’07.
Justin came to Choate as a new sophomore, hailing from Darien, CT, and in search of a school with a “more competitive atmosphere” in the two sports he was passionate about: soccer and hockey. His interest in hockey began when his parents heard that hockey was tiring; the young Justin had “too much energy,” so they stuck him on skates, gave him a stick, and off he went. Justin considered sports his main extracurricular at Choate—he was elected co-captain of the hockey team his senior year, and went on to play junior hockey in the EJHL, or the Eastern Junior Hockey League, after graduating.
“Sunshine,” as his coach Pat Dennehy called him—a reference to the blond-haired athlete from Remember the Titans—was a “very hardworking, very determined guy.” Justin loved the “team camaraderie and competitive nature” of the sport, but after a season playing in the NESCAC league, his passion began to fade and music took the front seat. Dennehy recalled the first time he heard him play: at a team hockey dinner in the midst of a tournament, Justin sat down at the piano and began to play, while teammates, coaches, and families gathered around to listen, amazed at his talent. The same determination and work ethic evident in his athletics shone through his music, and it was clear to everyone around him that music was not something Justin would soon leave behind.
Mitchell began playing classical piano in third grade and strongly disliked it at first. Chris Mitchell ’08, Justin’s brother, can remember Justin’s first piano recital: “My parents had to drag him out from under a coffee table and force him to go. He really hated to perform then.” It was only after being introduced to pop music by a later teacher that his passion began to grow. While at Choate, he often bought sheet music online from artists such as Coldplay and really began to enjoy playing and performing. “These groups really struck a chord with me,” Justin remembers. “It was as if when I played their songs anything that was an issue in my life was immediately dissolved.”
An open-mic night at the SAC his sophomore year provided Justin with even greater inspiration. Doug Berman ’05, a housemate in EC, asked Justin to provide background keyboard on a song called “Konstantine” by Something Corporate. Doug inspired Justin; he suddenly wanted to “be at his level—to be able to learn songs more quickly.” This performance at the SAC opened the door to even more performance opportunities—at the SAC, at all-school meetings, and beyond. “The opportunities Choate presented to perform were the final piece in high school that gave music a bigger place in my life,” Justin declares.
Soft pop rock continues to be Justin’s preferred genre. “It was just what came out when I sat down at the piano,” he explains. Although he admits that it can be considered generic, Justin is confident that his is a genre many people can relate to—and inviting people to relate to his music is one of Justin’s ultimate goals. The Fray, Augustana, and OneRepublic particularly influence Justin’s sound, but artists such as Fort Minor and Linkin Park can be heard in some songs as well. Working with a voice teacher has helped his understanding of vocal melodies, piano accompaniment, and pop-rock structure, but for the most part Justin considers himself a “self-taught songwriter.” On May 16th, Justin and his band will be playing about twenty original songs, all of which were written this year, and one or two covers.
Justin is excited to play at Choate. “Any chance to go back is one I’ll jump at,” he declares. He was in contact with Mr. Yanelli last year, and after hearing about the Grayson Sanders Band’s performance, he was eager to play as well. Choate faculty members had a profound impact on Justin, and he is eager to visit with them. “I’ve been really fortunate in that the teachers and adults I’ve encountered have all been very helpful in any endeavor I’ve pursued,” he says fondly. His teachers and coaches remember him fondly as well; Mr. Lowery describes him as a “natural leader, someone whose sincerity, humbleness, respectfulness, and courage always impressed me.”
Choate will eagerly await his performance on Saturday, May 16th, at the SAC, and if any ladies are interested, says Liz Spaulding, “Justin loves long walks on the beach and spiced chais from Half Moon.”
