A passion for singing has led Joanie Leibowitz all over the world with guitar in tow, and soon the Pinecrest resident will travel to the Big Apple to follow her dreams.

Briana Arboleda (left) and Joanie Leibowitz

Leibowitz recently presented, along with four other students, an evening cabaret of original songs, music and poetry at Syracuse University's Sutton Pavilion. A graduate of Gulliver Preparatory, Leibowitz will graduate from Syracuse University, Class of 2000, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama.

The performances, called Striving For Serenity, were advertised with photography by Briana Arboleda, also a 1996 Gulliver graduate and in the Syracuse Class of 2000. Proceeds were donated to the Vera House, a domestic violence women's shelter.

The coffeehouse atmosphere, in a candlelit room, set the stage for songs ranging from lively to tranquil. The audience applauded and shouted approval for the song Evaluation, a ballad about pressure put on students during some college evaluations, the outcomes of which could possibly change the careers and lives of students. The song ardently reminds people to ignore unconstructive criticism or doubts instilled by some instructors and to go ahead and follow your dreams.

Another favorite song was Stagefright. "Stagefright is an up-tempo rock song," Leibowitz said, following the performance. "It is political in nature, describing

how people need to speak out and make their voices heard."

The song details Leibowitz's explanation of freedom of speech and how performers verbalize issues even when hesitant.

She sings, "That's why I always carry a microphone. That's why I always carry a guitar. Because I rarely get stage fright. In front of crowds I have something to speak out for..."

Many observers of the show compared Leibowitz's performance style to that of Ani DiFranco.
"It's an honor to be compared to Ani," Leibowitz said. "I like her style, but I feel my songs are in most aspects different."