NSU Horizons Spring 2017

24 NSU HORIZONS Celebration, and community happenings. Often, it will perform popular songs and tailor the lyrics to the occasion. The group performs annually for the International Women’s Gala and the NSU Student Life Achievement Awards ceremony. It also does its own show at the end of the year, which is open to the public. And, the group performs for free, for the joy of sing- ing and performing. It gets minimal student government funding, said Skomer, “which covers T-shirts and helps pay for new arrangements.” The rest of the expenses, like those for travel to competitions, are raised by the students themselves. Local businesses such as M & H Café and Phenomenom Nitrogen Ice Cream & Bake Shop have helped out. Emily Dahlin, M.S., coordinator of Campus Relations and Student Outreach, is available to give advice to the group, if needed. But the group runs itself with its own executive board, which it calls the e-board. “The e-board makes the executive decisions as well as running the group and rehearsals. I am there if the group needs any guidance,” said Dahlin. “I consider myself more of a fan and cheerleader of The Riff Tides than an adviser.” If you’re a newcomer to the a cappella world—that is, you haven’t seen the film Pitch Perfect —you may be mystified watching The Riff Tides on YouTube. You may hear what you think are percussion instruments, and ask, “What is that?” Real as it sounds, that “music” is coming from one or more vocal percussionists. They call it “beat boxing,” said Skomer, adding that the current beat boxer is Heather Doyle, a senior in NSU’s nursing program. Surprisingly, sophomore Karena Washington is the only actual music major in the group. So it is fitting that she is music director. “It’s a little scary at times,” she said. “People look at you to know everything.” One of her favorite music selections was a mix she put together of My Love by Justin Timberlake and La La La by Sam Smith. Her goal after graduation is to become a middle-school music director. Among other reasons, Washington notes: “My middle school band director was wonderful, the most influential person in my life.” In January, by virtue of a video submission, The Riff Tides earned a spot at an international competition held in Tallahassee. While the group didn’t move to the finals, Skomer is proud of its effort: “I believe everyone gave it their all. Everyone had fun. And, we’ve grown as a group, and in the end, that’s really what it’s all about.” Visit therifftides.weebly.com for more information on The Riff Tides. n Members of The Riff Tides are pictured after a performance. From upper left to right, are Casey Skomer, Cailey Weaver, Luz Delgadillo, Travin Williams, Ericka Castellanos, Valentina Clouse, and MacKenzie McElduff. Shown in the bottom row from left to right are Lekha Mutyala, Robyn Richards, Karena Washington, and Shakeeva Nti.