Popham ES choir performs with Grammy-nominated artist SaulPaul

Popham Elementary School choir students are now among a select few who can say they have performed on stage with a Grammy-nominated artist in Downtown Austin.

Students got that opportunity on Aug. 28, when they performed with singer/song writer SaulPaul at the Moody Amphitheater to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech. The group of Popham students helped debut SaulPaul’s new song, “Love is the Dream,” at the event.

“I really liked it. I felt like I was really opening myself up because I want to be a singer,” said Popham fifth grade student Delilah Garcia-Salaiz. “I felt like doing that was helping me come out, so it was really nice for me to go and do it. I’m really thankful that Mrs. Gonzalez asked me to do it.”

The students had the unique opportunity presented to them when SaulPaul contacted Popham Elementary music teacher Jediah Gonzalez, asking if she had a group of choir students whom he could perform with. The question was brought to her over the summer.

“Of course I said yes, I can definitely bring a choir together. The kids came together and came in on a Saturday to practice so they could perform out here,” Jediah said. “In fact, this is the world premiere of his song ‘Love is the Dream.’ He had never performed it anywhere else - it hasn’t been released yet. So we got to do this world premiere of the song. It was amazing.”

Watch the video recap here. The story continues below. 

Jediah and Popham Elementary visual art specialist Summer Kaylor worked with the choir to prepare them for their big performance. Jediah and SaulPaul helped with the music, and Summer taught the students sign language to go along with the song. SaulPaul came out on a Saturday before the event to rehearse with the student choir.

“He even came out on Saturday to help us learn it, which was really a treat because the kids got an intimate meeting with him,” Jediah said. “He spoke to them about being a motivator and a leader and performed for them a little bit, then of course, taught them the song. It's been an amazing experience, and I’m very blessed that they chose Del Valle to do this.”

“I’m so excited, I just got off stage with the Popham Pandas. They joined me onstage because we performed my song ‘Love is the Dream.’ They did an exceptional job today,” SaulPaul said shortly after the performance.

The chance to sing on a big stage for an audience with an outstanding artist isn’t lost on the students. Fourth grader Josiah Zavalija shared what it meant to him.

“I was nervous at first, but when we started getting into the song, I was excited. I’m really grateful that I got the chance to sing,” he said.

DVISD Fine Arts Coordinator Joseph Rush also attended the event and supported the student performance every step of the way.

“We are happy to have taken part in such a great performance opportunity! All parties' contributions - the organizers, stage crew, performers, and event tent staff - made the day one to remember for our students,” DVISD Fine Arts Coordinator Joseph Rush said. “SaulPaul was the keynote speaker at the 2023 DV Fine Arts Fest.  We are happy to have partnered with his team again this month for the DreamTogether celebration.”

Jediah added that such an occasion exposes Del Valle students to new possibilities and builds confidence in themselves.

“What I think is so important about opportunities like this is that it gives Del Valle students these beautiful opportunities to perform on stages that celebrities, like A-listers, come out to. It gives them an opportunity that few people get,” she said. “It also improves their self-esteem, showing them they can be the change and promotes positivity in their lives. I know it means a lot to them, and it means a lot to me.”