Review: Handrich performs Common Grounds concert

Senior Ashley Handrich's nervousness was not the least bit evident as she entertained a relaxed crowd spread out on couches and chairs across the Common Grounds last Saturday. As she quickly switched chords, the silver rings she wore on her left hand danced around the frets, shining as they reflected the lights overhead.

"I get nervous sometimes when I play shows, but I know it's good for me," said Handrich. At 22, Handrich has had eight years of classical training in piano and five or six in voice. She taught herself to play the guitar starting her senior year in high school.

In her final semester at EMU, Handrich spends her days student teaching. Playing the Common Grounds once a year is the extent of her live performances, and recordings of her music do not exist outside of her own computer.

Playing a live, acoustic set in front of a crowd allows Handrich more intimacy with her audience. Before playing each song, Handrich briefly explained the extremely personal lyrics. "I'm still working on writing more original material," she said. "I'm still a beginning writer."

Handrich's best moments came through in the subtleties of her performance. For instance, her finger-plucked, highly capoed strings sounded clean and clear, but they could not compare to her smooth voice. She could soothe the crown into silence with a slower song, and then rouse them to lively coffeehouse chatter with a more upbeat tune.

While Handrich did not draw as large a crowd as student favorites like Shapiro, this was by no means a reflection of her musical ability. Her folksy, acoustic style may not inspire the popularity that rock-infused pop does, but those in the crowd on Saturday definitely witnessed an amazing talent.