By Kevynn Gomez

New clubs inevitably abound on all college campuses with each new semester. Here at NDNU, there is definitely no exception. Marlena Segi, also known as “Marz” by many students around campus, found herself setting up shop at the fall Activities Fair this semester for her newly created A’Cappella Club.

The founder of the club, Segi is a junior at NDNU who strives to stay involved, forging ahead with her own plans of creating a club when choir clubs didn’t seem fit. Vice-President Patrick Tibahurina-Kiboneka, a senior, and Paula Morehead, the Conductor who is also a senior, round out Segi’s leadership team which will organize her club and their events.

Marlena takes her vibrant personality and merges it with her strong passion for singing. With the ever-widening world of music, a new opportunity to do something a little bit different always emerges. With that, a club dedicated to the musical community was born.

At a school without a formal choir team, Segi’s A’Cappella Club hopes to breach that gap, targeting both the students involved in the Music Department as well as those holding a personal interest.

As a, “choir without instruments” the A’Cappella Club relies on the devotion to music, teamwork and camaraderie of it’s members. Although tryouts will be held, Segi states that, “…passion is the fundamental ability needed. Being able to carry a tune helps also.”

With a desire for future involvement on campus, in the surrounding community and even prospects venturing as far as the greater Bay Area, activities such as singing competitions and field trips prove that choir practice is not the only goal of Segi’s club.

Community service also finds itself a core feature of such a musically-inclined club. The hope is that volunteer time at senior citizen homes, performances in parks and participation in NDNU award ceremonies are not too far into the future as well.

Founded on the principles of passion, teamwork and diversity, Marz feels that it is the unifying factor of enthusiasm for singing that fosters diversity. “Music comes from different aspects of life, no matter what your background,” she mused when asked about the manifesto of her club.

As she will eagerly tell you, “music speaks to the masses,” and regardless of one’s own personal background, she hopes all with a love of singing will get involved.

It is her goal to provide an outlet for those who want to participate in artistic activities but can’t find any opportunities. As she put it, “…to create a way to quench the thirst for music so many people have discovered in themselves.”

With an overt love of music and singing, Marlena still finds the time to explore her other hobbies, which include: reading, styling hair and organizing things.

To get in contact with her about the A’Cappella Club – simply pay her a visit in the Student Life and Leadership Office.

An Intellectual Moment with Marz

Name the most played song in your iTunes album:

“Take Away”- Missy Elliot ft. Tweet and Ginuwine

Breakfast for dinner or ice cream for breakfast?

Breakfast for dinner

Biggest pet peeve:

People telling me to turn down my music

You’re exiled to a desert island. What 3 things do you bring, excluding people?

Bible, Ipod, and a large blanket

Have you ever hallucinated? If so, what about?

Yes. I hadn’t eaten all day and I thought there was food on the table so I reached out for it only to grab thin air.