EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO LEARN MUSIC
This amazing program will feature three of our talented Carolina Concert Choir singers: Elsie Shuler, Laura Keith Thiel, and Melissa Roberts. Each of these dedicated musicians is highly educated in music and has extensive experience teaching at all levels.
Starting on October 24th, the program will include two phases; Phase I includes five rehearsals, culminating in a final recital on Tuesday, December 10th, Phase II includes six rehearsals, culminating in a recital on Thursday, February 27. Throughout the program, the children will learn essential musical skills such as reading music, melody, harmony, group singing, and sight reading.
Unfortunately, the public schools in our area do not have music programs for these grade levels. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn music, and this program will provide much-needed music education to our community’s children.
We kindly ask for your support in making this program a success. Your generous donations will help us offer this valuable educational experience to the children who need it most.
Thank you for your continued support and for being a vital part of our musical community. We look forward to sharing the progress and success of the Rising Stars Children’s Choir with you!
We are excited to announce a wonderful new initiative for the fourth and fifth graders in the Henderson County School System: the Rising Stars Children’s Choir.
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn music.
THE INSTRUCTORS
Laura Thiel
ACCOMPANIST
Dr. Laura Keith Thiel is a highly accomplished piano teacher and performer, with a doctoral degree in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Miami. With 30 years ofexperience in teaching piano, Dr. Thiel has been instrumental in helping her students win numerous local and regional piano competitions. She was on the piano faculty of the University of Miami’s Frost Preparatory Program, teaching numerous Pre-College students and assisting with developing the Prep Program. While living in Miami, Dr. Thiel accompanied Gulliver (Elementary) Academy Spring Concerts for many years.
Elsie Shuler
INSTRUCTOR
Ms. Elsie Wenger Shuler has a degree in Music Education from The College of Wooster - Wooster, Ohio, and a Master of Arts Degree from Ohio State University, Columbus. She is National Board Certified in Music/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood.
Ms. Shuler was a Public School Music Educator for 36 years. She taught High School Choir for 17 years and Middle School Choir for 19 years. In North Carolina Wake County Schools she taught at Leesville Middle School, Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, and Heritage Middle School. She is proud to have taught Clay Aiken in her Middle School Chorus for 2 years at Leesville Middle School! Ms. Shuler has directed choirs on tours in Italy, Paris, London, Carnegie Hall, Disney World, Louisiana, Myrtle Beach, Chicago, Williamsburg, and Atlanta. Recent awards granted to Ms. Shuler are the WRAL Teacher of the Week and the Arts Award for the State of the Arts for Wake County. She and her husband Bill recently moved to Hendersonville to live closer to their children and grandchildren.
Melissa Roberts
PROGRAM MANAGER
Melissa D. Roberts is our Program Manager. She received her Education Degree, Master's Degree, and Special Degree in Language and Art from Western Carolina University. She taught 20 years in Polk County and 20 years in Henderson County. Mrs. Roberts was Teacher of the Year in both counties! She has been working in the Carolina Concert Choir for 22 years and in the St. James Church Choir for 30 years. Her late husband Eddie Roberts was a Special Education Teacher in Henderson County. They have one son and two grandsons. One of her major purposes in working with adults and children is to provide an organized and JOYFUL learning experience with life and music.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Step 1: Confirm Availability
Please ensure child's availability for rehearsals and performance prior to completing the below steps:
PHASE I REHEARSALS: 5:30-7pm
October 24, 29
November 7, 21
December 5
CONCERT PERFORMANCE
December 10 – 6:30 pm
PHASE II:
January 16 - February 27