By: Aya Goldwasser

Music lovers will surely remember the many electric performances from Crash Course, the unofficial official band of Winsor. The Banner had the honor of speaking with band members Mina Feldman ’25, Aimy Huynh ’24, Talya Le ’24, Niko Matsuzaka ’24, Beatrix Picotte ’24, Sofie Robinson ’24, and Kenna Schneider ’25. 

1. What inspired you to form a band? What is your “origin story”?

Robinson: It started from the elective Advanced Rock On in 2022. Our teacher, Ms. Brady, submitted a video of us to a competition. We won and went to play in DC. After that, Ms. Brady helped us get a show at The Burren, and we’ve just kept booking new shows and learning new songs. 

2. What have some of your best moments as a band been?

Robinson: I would say the first time that we really connected was when we went to see Ms. Brady’s band, The Porch Party Mamas. 

Huynh: Gaylord [the venue where we played in DC] was a school-related trip, but it didn’t feel like it; it felt like a trip with friends, and that was the moment when I was like, “Oh, these are people I play music with, but they’re also people who I want to hang out with.”

3. What kind of music do you most enjoy playing as a group? 

Picotte: Considering that we started in a class called Advanced Rock On, it’s probably not a surprise that we mostly play rock music. We gravitate towards whatever songs we think are fun and would play to the strengths of our band. 

4. How do your different styles and strengths come together?

Le: If you put different things together, then you make something new. We all play in different styles, and we all play different instruments, so that makes something new. It makes a band. 

Matsuzaka: When Advanced Rock On started, I didn’t see how we were gonna click. But I think that’s what makes us work so well: we were just so unexpected. 

Feldman: I’ve learned so much from working with musicians who are different than me. It really pushes me. 

5. Who are your musical inspirations?

Le: The band Skillet, specifically their drummer, Jen Ledger. 

Matsuzaka: Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift, obviously. 

Schnieder: My dad, Jimi Hendrix, and the Allman Brothers. 

Picotte: Victor Wooten. 

Robinson: James Taylor and Bruce Springsteen. 

Huynh: Stevie Nicks and rest of the band. 

Feldman: I’d say Brian May, Jimi Hendrix, and my stepdad Jake. 

6. Anything else you’d like to add?

Feldman: I think it’s important to say we would be nowhere without Ms. Brady. She sacrifices so much for us, so thank you. 

Thank you, Crash Course! Look out for their next performance at the Burren Bar in Somerville on October 21! 

Responses edited for brevity and clarity.