FutureStars Profile: Luke Andoni-Savas stays “True to HIS heart” on stage
Luke Andoni-Savas will be making his third appearance in the Pioneer Theatre Guild’s popular FutureStars later this month after a “fun” ride last year that landed him in the exclusive finals.
“Yeah, it’s a lot of fun,” says Andoni-Savas, a junior at both Pioneer and Community high schools. “I didn’t think I would make it as far as I did last year. It was really exciting getting on stage and singing my heart out, and it felt good when it paid off and I got the top five, then the top three. I was so thankful and humbled that the audience chose me to proceed to the finals.”
The 18th annual citywide talent search for Ann Arbor’s next star is Jan. 17-18 with the finals on Jan. 25 at Pioneer High School’s Schreiber Auditorium. The event features students from Ann Arbor’s public high schools as they sing, rap and play music.
Andoni-Savas sang three songs at last year’s show: “Kiss,” by Prince; “Can’t Buy Me Love,” by The Beatles; and “Girls Like You,” by Maroon 5. And “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “Girls Like You” both made it to finals in 2019.
During his first year, he was a soloist in Rising Stars singing a Bruno Mars song.
When Andoni-Savas walks onto the Schreiber Auditorium stage this year he will be performing “What if I Never Get Over You” by country band Lady Antebellum, and “True To Your Heart,” originally performed by Stevie Wonder in the famous Disney princess movie “Mulan.”
“I enjoy both songs and can’t wait to perform them,” he says. “The songs were chosen for each of the singers by the coaches and the Future Star producers.”
One of the many things Andoni-Savas likes about FutureStars is the supportive atmosphere. Sure, it’s a competition but everyone is cheering for everyone.
“Future Stars is very supportive,” he says. “The adults we work with are so encouraging and helpful. The students from the U-M School of Music, Theater and Dance are close to us in age and share our interests. They provide us with constructive criticism and feedback to improve our overall performance.”
Andoni-Savas feels at home on the stage. He loves the interaction with the audience and that comes through in his performance. And he’s no stranger to being in the spotlight.
Andoni-Savas has performed in the Boychoir of Ann Arbor for 10 years, with the Young People’s Theater for eight main stage shows, and with U-M SMTD’s production of “Music Man.”
“I like performing on stage very much,” he says. “I enjoy entertaining and communicating with the audience. I have been on stage since I was 6 years old. I used to get nervous but not as much now. It still happens from time to time.”
Luke, the son of Sue Ann Savas and Alexia Andoni, is a member of Pioneer choirs and Pioneer’s acapella group. After high school, he plans to study criminal justice and would like to become a police officer.
“I will complete my college degree and enter the Police Academy,” he says. “I hope to continue to perform in the future.”
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FutureStars 2020
