>> chapter one - the starting class of 2012

Another year, Another group of talented new students. I loved teaching here at the Academy of the Performing Arts, because talent here is unmatched by any another academy in the world excpet for our British institution. Like most of APA; all our courses had their own block of class-rooms; rehearsal rooms and choir rooms. Today, I would be meeting my new students in the main choir room that was massive in space and was always the perfect places for meet and greets. I had set up the room's bleachers; which seated 30 or more students. I had all my paper work set up on the surface of the black piano nearest the whiteboard and was just going through it; when I heard a stampede of echoing footsteps and young voices having left the double doors open some people could find the room easier. I smiled; as I looked up and started to see all these new young people enter the room with their bags; instruments and so forth. They all looked at me, and I caught quite a few of my new female students attention; as they wiggled their fingers at me to say Hi. I waved back dressed in a pair of light-blue jeans; black boots and a white tank-top that hugged my muscular physique like a second skin to absolute perfection; which showed off my large arms well. My short; dark sandy blonde hair was gelled accordingly.

I watched my new class take their seats and I left my papers for a second walking into the centre of the room in front of them: "Wow there's a lot of you this year! Fantastic!" I said with a smile and a chuckle; as my new students joined in. "Well by the look on some of your surprised faces; you wasn't expecting a mentor like me was you?" I grin. "That's good, because it works. I hate wearing suits and stuff. I like to be comfortable, when I teach my students." I flashed another smile. "So, I best introduce myself now, right?" continuing to smile softer now, "My name is Orion Johnson. I'm your Music Maestro for the next four years among other members of staff; of course. But I am your group's form tutor; teacher, coach, friend, advisor and confidant. I'm not a drill sergeant or a slave driver. I am firm; when I need to be and easy going; most of the other time. I want your time here to be fun and something you can take away for years to come; when you're all insanely rich and huge successes! That way you won't forget, who got you there in the first place; other then yourselves of course!" I said with a smile winking at my new class; as they smile and chuckle a little. "So how about we go around the room, and we tell each other a little about ourselves. Like our name; where we come from, instruments we play, our goals and what we hope to take away from this experience in four years time! Let's start with you the strapping young lad in the middle there." I said with a friendly tone and a smile; after sitting on top of the large piano with my legs swinging a little in front of it.

I listened to the clearly shy; Jacob Holmes introduce himself to the class. I smile at him, "So a singer are you, Jacob?" I repeated, as he nodded: "Yes, sir." I smirk to myself, "Well Jacob, I'm sure your class-mates and I will look forward to hearing you sing; very soon. That's a beautiful dream you have there. But it's also difficult too. So we will do; what we can for you." I smile warmly at him, "And just for the record everyone; please do not call me Sir or Professor or anything formal. You're all adults now, so I will treating you as such. So please call me; Orion. " I said with a warm-hearted grin. "Right then, how about you; young lady" I asked the female youth in front of me. After all the introductions were given and so forth, I thanked them all for sharing that with me like their interests and such; before switching back into teacher-mode. "Right then, now that we all know; who the other is for the the time being. Let's hear; some of your talents. You were all asked to prepare a introductory performance of your different talents; when you reached your respective lodgings here and with my list of names here.." I reached over and picked up the designated sheet and held it in front of me; after waving it briefly at my class and continued: "I will call you all up individually to perform that introductory piece for the group." I smile looking up at them reading off the top name, "So in no particular order; Jacob. Why don't you come up here and start us off, yeah?" I looked up from the paper over at Jacob and gesturing for him to come up with a encouraging smile..

I listened to Jacob sing his chosen song with my arms folded; everyone seemed to be liking his interpretation and the sound of his voice. I raised my eyebrow, and began to jolt some notes down about my new student continuing to listen with my ears. The song came to an end; which I watched having done all the notes, I needed, I unfolded my arms and got up off my chair and walked up to Jacob placing my hand on his shoulder and tapped it; a couple of times before taking it away. "Okay thank you, Jacob. Why don't you take a seat now, yeah?" I said with a smile. Jacob looked at me wondering; if that's all I had to say and gestured for him to sit down. He did so with a little reluctance and sat back down. I turned my attention to my class, "Just so you know guys; any feedback I have will be given privately 1 on 1, so don't worry for now. So, who's next?" I looked down my list and called out their name; they came up and done their thing. After everyone had done their introductory performances the lesson was almost over. I turned to my class again and spoke: "Right well, very good. Everybody, I have my notes here so; I'll arrange some times for you all to come see me in my office. Well the lesson's over now, so please take everything with you and I will see you later on; today. Now get out of here!" I smiled, as everyone said their goodbyes and headed to their next class with Miss. Wheatcroft on complying musical material; whilst I returned to where my paperwork was and, as the last few girls were leaving Jacob was about to leave too and I said: "Not so fast; Mr. Holmes." I looked up; as Jacob looked over at me, "I will be seeing you first. Lunchtime here; please." I said a little firm-like: "Don't be late, okay?" I reminded him, before I told him to head to his next class; he nodded.

I turn my head around and stopped playing the piano, before smiling a little to myself: "You know Jake, you could have eaten first and then come to me. I would have been all right with that." I grin, before standing up and pulling a chair up and placing it in front of young Jacob, before motioning for him to take a sit down. He nodded and sat down; whilst I sat back down at the piano after closing the door. "Ill make this quick Jake, so you can enjoy your lunch and actually buy a little more food." I smirk, "Let me ask you something first Jake and I apologize, if I am being to personal with you..but are you a virgin?" I asked with a smirk and a brief chuckle.

I could tell he wasn't very appreciative of that; so he dodged my question, which just confirmed it for me; really. "I see. I know, what you're thinking Jacob..inappropriate and that? Not really, Jacob. When it comes to your singing ability." I stood up, "You see there is a method to my madness or I would not be here teaching you guys to be successful musicians now would I?" I grin leaning against the piano looking down at him with my arms folded. "Look, I'm going to be straight with you; Jake. You have a good voice, but it's not great. But that's why you are here; so I can help you. An odd choice of a song indeed. I didn't fully connect with that song, I couldn't hear any pain or regret in that interpretation. That's what that song is all about pain and choices; dealing with the aftermath." I revealed, "But to me, it just sounded like you picked it, because you liked it. But either way, it brings me back to my virgin question; because if you are then I would understand, why you sung it like you did. But if you aren't then; it was missing a lot. The real life experiences of relationships and connections. You follow?" I asked Jacob.

I couldn't help, but smile; Jacob had opened up to me a little; which was great start. Probably not the best method to begin with but that's why I'm good at my job, because I don't always follow the book. "I see. I'm sorry about your break up; Jacob. They are never easy. And your right sex isn't always part of the problem, but it does cement a lot of things together in the long-run, hence why I went for the direct approach instead. Like I said, I am sorry about that. I just want to help you Jake is all." I smile warmly at him, "Like I said in class Jacob, I'm not just your teacher, but a friend too. Hopefully one day, you'll treat me as one too." I look at Jacob, "Then why don't you perform 'Mean' for me right now? There is nothing wrong with a man singing a woman's song. I consider most songs; unisex anyway!" I chuckle, "So, why don't you show me; what you really wanted to do; this morning? If you felt so strongly about it. So come on..let's hear it!" I said with a grin ushering for Jacob to get up; who smiled a little.

I finished playing through on the piano for Jacob and I couldn't help, but smile. "Excellent, Jake! There's the voice, I was looking for..the passion; the emotion! Fantastic! Well done!" I said clapping my hands and grinning, as I got up and walked over to him placing my hand on his shoulder strongly squeezing it gently looking at him. He definitely was aiming those few lyrics at me, I've been in music long enough to pick up on that. It didn't bother me too much; after all my job is to help these kids. "Just remember, Jake.." I took my hand off his shoulder, "..We use music to express ourselves. So don't worry about; what others may think! You sing, what you want to sing! Alright? And, if anyone gives you grief, I'll deal with them okay? We're going to have fun you and I. So why don't you head off now and enjoy the rest of your lunch, we're finished here now. Take care of that voice; young man." I smile at him followed by a friendly wink.