New Hampshire Gay Men's Chorus

Member Bio: Hayden Magri, bass

Bass Hayden Magri, who at the age of 19 is by far our youngest member, joined NHGMC in September, 2009. He lives with his family in Rollinsford, New Hampshire, and (we dare say) he is the most fun and effervescent personality in the Seacoast carpool delegation ― something that his older “half century club” carpool companions find refreshing. What happens in the carpool stays in the carpool?

Originally from Hampton, New Hampshire, Hayden’s family moved to his current home in Rollinsford when he was in the sixth grade. He lives there with his parents, sister, and nephew.

Hayden is a licensed cosmetologist. Just before graduating last October from Empire Beauty School, Somersworth, Hayden landed his dream job as a Designer at My Liege Salon and MetroSpa in Dover. “It is by far the best job any person could ask for! The team that I work with is phenomenal. They’re all very caring, and we all help each other,” says Hayden. “The chemistry between my team and our clients is great. They can come see me, and then in their next appointment if I’m unavailable, they can see Jennifer or Jessica, and so on. We bounce referrals off of each other. It’s totally based on teamwork. It’s a dream come true for me.”

Hayden’s interest in the Beauty arts began a few years ago in high school... yes, high school... such a distant memory for most other chorus members! “By senior year, I knew I wanted this career. I did hair and makeup for all my Drama club productions ― shows like Into the Woods, Hello Dolly, The Music Man, Barefoot in the Park, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown ― and I also worked on hair and makeup for high school dances when I was old enough to go dancing. By then I was completely hooked.”

Empire taught Hayden the fundamentals of hair, skin, nails, and chemical services, such as color, relaxers, perms, keratin treatments, and then some. At My Liege, he currently does hair and nails.

Hayden discovered he loved to sing in his high school chorus, but also indirectly via NHGMC and second tenor, David Greer, whom Hayden had known since childhood. David joined the chorus in 2000. “I started going to the concerts when I was about 10 years old. David used to work with my mother. So mom brought me to the concerts when I was little. I remember always enjoying the sound. So I decided to audition with NHGMC when I was 18 and still in beauty school, to try it out, to see what it was like. And I’ve stuck with it. It gives me a good opportunity to practice my voice.”

Besides high school chorus, his other school activities included the Student Council and Interact, a community service organization. Through Interact, Hayden did a lot of volunteer work, in soup kitchens, Toys for Tots, and various other programs that “gave back” to the community. “I like volunteer work. Every now and then I still volunteer, like for the Salvation Army soup kitchen in Portsmouth and with Our House for Girls in Dover. Our House takes in young women who have no place to go, no place to turn, and it helps them get back on their feet.”

Way up at the top of Hayden’s list of interests: Dancing! “I love dancing to just about any type of dance music. I love dancing to my own beat.” His favorite type of music is contemporary pop, or as Hayden calls it, “my generation’s music.” Believe it or not, his favorite movie is the 1942 film, Casablanca. “Yes, it might sound corny, but I love old movies and I think old black and white films are phenomenal!” Other movie favorites: White Oleander, Closer, and It’s a Wonderful Life. His favorite musicals are Into the Woods, Wicked, and Phantom of the Opera.

Hayden likes most all types of food, but has a particular fondness for sushi. He also enjoys shopping. A few of his favorite hangouts are Breaking New Grounds coffee shop in downtown Portsmouth, as well as Prescott Park. “I just love quaint little places, like coffee shops. I’m a big coffee drinker, so coffee dates really appeal to me.” He’s also given up Red Bull... or has he? His favorite “to wear” colors are black and white. However, his favorite overall color is a deep, rich “blood red” burgundy.

Perhaps Hayden’s favorite pastime is simply laughing. “Every day of my life, I try to laugh out loud at least once at something stupid or something completely hysterical. As long as I am cheerful and having a good time, that’s all that matters. You have to live in the moment. It doesn’t matter how many breaths you take, but how many moments take your breath away.”

Hayden turns 20 in April. “I’m counting down the days to when I turn 21... I feel like I’m limited by age. It has nothing to do with the drinking age... it has to do with society setting all these standards, like you can’t do this till you’re 16 or do that till you’re 18 or do whatever till you’re 21. I value everything that I do and see and hear in the moment, but to see and hear and partake are two different things. From my perspective, I see it as society’s last barrier of restrictions.” And he reflected more deeply about being the youngest member: “It’s difficult sometimes to find that happy medium between my age and reality. There’s such a sharp age difference between me and the others. I don’t mean this in a negative way, because I’ve definitely developed nice, unbreakable bonds with other members. But being so young, it’s sometimes hard for me to find more common ground.”

His favorite chorus moment: “Performing at my first Portsmouth concert, when I looked into the audience and saw my mom. It clicked that I would no longer be sitting beside her in the audience watching the guys sing... but that she would be sitting alone in the audience watching me sing.”

Hayden is single and, of course, another great NHGMC catch.

Qualities he values most in a potential partner: “He has to be able to laugh, make me laugh, and be loveable. I love a guy who can be completely spontaneous ― crazy and outrageous one second then in the next second be completely serious and understanding.” He also prefers them taller and clean-cut.

As for the notorious Seacoast carpool, Hayden volunteered some heartfelt thoughts about his carpool companion, Glen Flowers. “I feel a special bond with Glen because he can relate to me; he was a lot like me when he was my age. Whether we talk in-depth or just shoot the breeze, I look up to Glen. He has definitely impacted my life in a tremendously positive way. He gives me unconditional support, and he’s not afraid to give me blunt advice and tell me the truth. He’s had a grounding effect on me and helped me transition from a ‘dramatic’ presence in high school to living in the real world.”

The main theme that governs his life now: Temperance and balance. “It’s not about black or white. It’s about finding my happy medium and putting my passion and my energy behind the decisions that will make me happy, and doing my best.”

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