From practicing in garages to organizing rehearsals around busy schedules, student musicians put in more work behind the scenes than many people realize. Sophomore Alex Poliakova has experienced those challenges through her own experience leading a student punk rock band, using music not only as a form of expression but also as a way to build connection and community through performing arts. Beyond individual bands, student-led performing arts are continuing to have a greater impact on campus culture by developing collaboration, emotional connection, and teamwork through shared creativity.
When Poliakova was younger, she was deeply fascinated by performers on stage and the energy they brought to music. Her younger self often imagined herself in the shoes of a performer, hoping to have the same stage experience one day. Her first inspiration to pursue music grew from that early childhood interest that eventually led her to her passion in performing arts.
That inspiration led her to help create her student punk rock band, ‘404,’ which came together last year. As stated from Poliakova, the band’s name came from her previous band in Russia as it means “mistake.” “I got inspired by a group named Mindless Self Indulgence,” she added, referring to an American electropunk band that 404 resonates with. The idea of the band first started when one of her friends suggested creating a little group while they were at school. Although getting the band together took some time, Poliakova said it took around two months or so before the group began to play.
As the leader of the band, Poliakova describes the group as very collaborative, with members sharing similar passions and working hard together throughout each rehearsal and performance. Beyond just music, the band also helped create strong friendships and a sense of community between the members.
“It’s really hard to be in a band,” Poliakova said. She explained that one of the biggest challenges is finding members who will commit, since many students have busy schedules filled with other hobbies and responsibilities. An additional challenge Poliakova mentioned was finding a consistent place to practice. The group has faced changes that required the band to relocate their rehearsals to another member’s house, as it was the only space with a drum set available for their use. Since drum sets are difficult to move, the group has learned to adapt to limited practice spaces and make the most of what is available.
Despite the challenges that come along with being in a student band, Poliakova wishes to continue music in the future, even if only as a hobby rather than a career. For students interested in performing arts, it’s more than just an extracurricular activity. It creates opportunities for self-expression, community and an emotional bond while still forming campus culture in original and meaningful ways.
