Photo of choir

The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) selected the Marsteller Middle School Eighth Grade Women’s Choir to perform at the Southern Region Conference. The event took place at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, Tennessee, home of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. 

“Performing at the Southern ACDA Conference was one of the best moments of my life,” shared Cora Ciano, a student who attended the trip. 

Another student, Scarlett James, echoed that sentiment, “It was an honor to sing at the Southern ACDA Conference. I loved performing there, and it meant so much to me that I could inspire others. I worked so hard to get there and I know others did too.” 

The four-day regional conference featured concert performances as well as opportunities for students to further develop their choral skills. The choir performed seven selections under the direction of their teacher, Julie Phelan, with accompaniment by Pam Sottosanti and percussion by Anna Balchunas. The ACDA Southern Region comprises 11 states, including Virginia, making the invitation especially meaningful.  

“I shared with my students that it was a dream of mine to perform at this conference and I think knowing that made them work even harder,” Phelan shared. “I hope it also helped them to see that dreams come in many different forms and can be achieved at any age or level. I know they were very proud to be a part of helping me to achieve it.” 

The group also received a special visit from composer David Brunner, who wrote one of the pieces they performed titled “Isn’t That Something.” Brunner offered words of encouragement and warm wishes before the choir took the stage.  

For the students in attendance, the memories and connections formed both on and off the stage will last long after the final performance. 

“There are many reasons I enjoy participating in choir; however, my main reason is that you create bonds with the people around you like no other, and I get to be a part of something bigger than myself,” shared Peyton Moeykens. 

Congratulations to the following ensemble members who performed: 

Soprano 1: Abbie Alkire, Audrey Ellis, Olivia George, Lamar Hassouneh, Arianna Howell, Avani Jakka, Emily Jensen, Andrea Johnson, Hattie Lemaux, Natalie McCartney, Sophia McCuin, Charlotte Podkowka, Lucia Rupert, Rhea Shah, Isabelle Tweneboa-Kodua, and Sarah Yoho 

Soprano 2: Olivia Brown, Norah Castelar, Sydney Douds, Reagan Duncan, Lily Hinders, Scarlett James, Sahij Kaur, Naomi Kingue, Ella Machovec, Maddie Mannion, Peyton Moeykens, Erin O’Neill, Cherise Pollard, Paula Santos-Berrios, and Quinn Wesol 

Alto: Cora Ciano, Alyssa Epps, Alex Hanna, Maliha Iqbal, Zuriel Kang, Layla Mason, Chyna Reed, Charlese Saunders, Lale Urel, Kyleigh Walters, and Jenna Warren 

You can view more photos and videos from the ACDA Conference on PWCS Facebook.