Communication students bring music to Arts in the Heart festival

By Caelyn Dockal | Staff Writer

Augusta’s annual Arts in the Heart Festival filled downtown with art, food, and music from September 19-21, drawing crowds to the riverfront community stage. Among the weekend's dozens of performances, one local band stood out. Not just for their music but for their connection to the Augusta University community.

Estimated Principles.

From left to right: Olivia Waddell, Andrew Renner, Cody Widener, Clayton Waddell, Ethan Schomacker. (Photo by Jayden Petri/exclusive to the Bell Ringer)

On Friday evening, from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m., AU students Clayton and Olivia Waddell took the community stage alongside their band, Estimated Principles, delivering a great performance to a crowd of around 50 to 60 people. With people of all ages gathered by the Savannah Riverfront, the performance brought great energy and a fun environment to the festival for everyone to enjoy.

Clayton Waddell, the drummer and a communication student at AU , described the night as one of his favorites.

Olivia Waddell strums her guitar during the Estimated Principles’ set at the Arts in the Heart festival. (Photo by Sanjeev Singhal/exclusive to the Bell Ringer)

“The energy from the crowd was amazing to see, especially all the younger people who typically don’t come out for these types of events,” he said. “It’s very rewarding to be able to provide that kind of experience for the youth of Augusta.” 

Olivia Waddell, who plays guitar, said she had a great time playing at the festival and meeting everyone who came to see their band play.

“It was great to see so many people still come out to see us play even when everything was in different spots this year. The energy was awesome.”

Due to ongoing construction on Broad Street, this year’s Arts in the Hearts festival relocated to the Riverwalk area, leading to some disruption in the usual flow for festivalgoers.

The Augusta-based alternative rock band played a 30-minute set mixing originals and covers, showcasing their fast, energetic anthems driven by loud guitars and soaring choruses. Beyond writing music, they are dedicated to delivering a live experience audiences will never forget. 

Saray Perez, a junior nursing student from Atlanta, said the performance was one of her highlights of the evening.

“It was cool seeing young local students on stage,” Perez said. “They really brought such a lively atmosphere up there, and you could tell they were having fun and just enjoying themselves."

Andrew Renner shares a moment with one of the festivalgoers this past Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Arts in the Heart festival. (Photo by Sanjeev Singhal/exclusive to the Bell Ringer)

Despite Saturday’s show being canceled due to heavy rain, the Waddells said Friday’s show made their festival weekend.

“We’re just thankful for the opportunity to play and that people came to show their support through the whole set. It means a lot to us,” said Clayton.

The Waddells and Estimated Principles plan to release new music soon and hope to return to Arts in the Heart next year with an even bigger setlist.

Contact Caelyn Dockal at cadockal@augusta.edu.