Justin Barleben - Albion
By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: February 19, 2009
Justin Barleben doesn't just dream about a career on the stage, he dreams of a career designing the stage, and the entire concert hall to boot. For this Albion High School senior, it makes perfect sense. "I've been actually looking at a graduate program in Albany at Rennselear," he says. "It's called architectural acoustics, which I thought was a really cool combination of the two things I'm really good at and enjoy, which are math and music." It makes perfect sense to Justin's teachers too. Mike Thaine was Justin's fourth grade band teacher and has been guiding him ever since. "He's a very well-rounded kid," says Thaine. "He doesn't just focus on one thing. Plus academically, he's top notch." We caught up with Justin during his last rehearsal before a college audition in music. Justin is a top level vocalist and tuba player. He excels on stage in musicals and drama, and is a competitive dancer on the weekends. He's also a member of the Rochester Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. "I really love getting up in front of people and showing them what I can do," he says, "showing them what I've been working on and how hard I've been working." For Justin, it all adds up to a great future. "I just feel ready," he says, "ready to do it. I'm pretty confident that I'm ready."
