Kyle Henshaw loves to perform to an audience, whether through the Hinsdale Central radio station or on stage, ready to belt out a rock ballad.

“I love to perform, although I have to admit our latest gig (at the 2009 End of Summer Bash in downtown Hinsdale) was a bit intimidating,” said Henshaw, who three years ago formed a band called Rooftop Nights with friends.

In the past the band has performed at smaller venues like the Hinsdale Central High School Talent Show.

“We are a garage band. Performing at the bash (Sept. 11) in front of a few hundred people was great, but a little different,” Henshaw said. “It was a totally new, awesome atmosphere.”

Henshaw said he plans to pursue music when he gets to college — he is in the process of applying to several Big Ten schools — but will not study it.

“No, I really want to study broadcast journalism and business,” said Henshaw, who also works with WHSD 88.5 FM,  Hinsdale Central High School’s radio station.

He is one of three students who host “Triple Play,” a sports talk show.

Besides practicing with Rooftop Nights every Sunday afternoon, Henshaw also finds time to do the radio show, participate in the school’s Madrigals and Chorale, run cross country and study enough to maintain a grade point average just below 5.0.

“I’ll miss the guys when we all go our separate ways to college,” Henshaw said. “But we are planning to record our favorite songs by the end of the year, so we’ll have that.”

Notable
n Lead singer on four-member Rooftop Nights, Hinsdale-based rock band
n Member of the National Honor Society

& quotable
“I owe my appreciation of rock music to my father. He encouraged me and also introduced me to some of the great old bands of rock and roll,” Henshaw said.

Philosophy
“If you don’t really feel it, the energy, don’t do it. You have to feel you are really part of the experience to fully appreciate it.”

Favorites
ARTISTS  Tom Petty, Bob Seger
FOOD “My mom’s pasta”
HOBBIES  Running, jamming with the band, reading mysteries and sports books
FAVORITE SUBJECT  Video production
MOVIE  “Shawshank Redemption”