La Salle alum to perform in Backstage

By Katie Williams
Collegian Editor
November 1, 2006

When alumni return to La Salle, it’s always a special event, but when alumni come back to perform, it’s bound to be an amazing evening. Hannah Loper, class of 2006, will be performing in Backstage Nov. 3 at 10 p.m. with Devon Sproule, a world-renowned guitarist. Spotlight caught up with Hannah to learn a little more about the show.

Spotlight: Are you excited to be coming back to La Salle?

Hannah Loper: Yes, now I am. Last week I started getting pre-performance jitters—I always get them, and I was almost ready to cancel, even though the show was just two weeks away. That’s how nervous I get. But then I had to remember why I’m doing this—it’s not to prove myself to anyone, it’s not to try to get famous and it’s not to get any money from anyone. I do these performances because I want to help inspire my audience. Inspiration is not measured in the same way that a song is judged. Inspiration is something which can be given and received through the soul, the harmonies of a song and the words of a verse floating amid tiny particles in the atmosphere. When people find it, they know that it’s great. When I keep this in mind—that my songs are the vehicles for helping to inspire people—I become excited rather than nervous and look forward to an awesome show. 

SP: When did you start performing? Why?

HL: I picked up the guitar in 2004 rather randomly, although I’ve never taken any lessons. My first performance was at a Grimoire open mic night back in November 2005. I was so incredibly scared, but I knew that it was the first step I had to take to get more confident performing in front of people. I was timid and shaky, but everyone was so supportive and encouraged me to continue. My first paid performance in which I did an entire set was at Late Night La Salle this past January. The turnout was great—there were about 30 people there, and I got a standing ovation at the end. I’m pretty sure that my voice was squeaky in a few parts and that my guitar rhythm was a bit off, but looking back, I realize that the most important thing from the show was that I gave it my all.

SP: How would you describe your music?

HL: Indie acoustic rock.

SP: Will you be performing with anyone else?

HL: Yes, Devon Sproule. She’s an amazing singer/songwriter/guitarist from Charlottesville, Va. Devon’s been playing for seven years and has toured worldwide with musicians such as the Dave Matthews Band and Mary Chapin Carpenter. I’ll be doing a little question and answer session with her after her performance, which is great because it ties into another passion of mine—promoting and hosting independent musicians.

SP: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

HL: When people leave after my show, I want them to not only know more about me, but also more about themselves. I want audience members to take something home that they can use—something that will encourage them to keep following their dreams. I believe in prayer and pray about a month or so before each concert that all of the people who are supposed to come to my performance will come. I also pray that my audience will have an open mind when they come and will receive whatever type of inspiration they are supposed to. This always helps put me at ease because I know that when I get on stage, whether there are two people there or 50, all of them will be receiving something good from the show.

williamsk1@lasalle.edu