This recognition is based on how well a student has learned the music assigned for the week.

ROBIN FALCI

Week of May 15, 2011

Robin, who is a junior at Herndon High School, has studied voice with Peggy for several years. During this time she has performed at many voice recitals and workshops and at a retirement center. She sings with the Madrigals at Herndon H.S. and she has been selected for the All District Choir her freshman and sophomore years. For four summers, Robin attended the Vocal Arts Camp at James Madison University where she met many other singers from Northern Virginia. Besides being an active member of the music department at her high school, Robin was on the HHS JV soccer and indoor track teams for two years. This year, unable to play due to injury, Robin was the manager of the indoor track and the girls’ varsity soccer team. Robin has also played Club Soccer for many years and presently she plays with the Reston Nightmares team. She has recently received the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. Her Gold Award project was an interfaith children's, music, art, and friendship program involving 30 fourth through sixth graders from a local temple, mosque, and several churches. Best wishes on your continued music studies! Congratulations!

KELSEY STEFFEN

Week of May 8, 2011

Kelsey, a freshman at H.B. Woodlawn High School in Arlington, just began voice lessons with Peggy in January. She will sing on our May Student Recital. At Woodlawn she enjoys singing in the Concert Choir. She has attended H.B. Woodlawn since 6th grade. Besides singing, she enjoys playing soccer with the Falcon Team and she likes to swim at her local swimming pool, Donaldson Run. As a very young girl, she travelled to India to visit relatives. She hopes to be able to visit there soon. We wish her the very best in her musical studies. Congratulations!

VICTORIA TODD

Week of May 2, 2011

Victoria has studied voice for over three years and during this time she has sung in at least 4 or 5 voice recitals and many student workshops. She has been a very hard-working and loyal student. In March she participated in the National Association of Teachers of Singers auditions at James Madison University. At Madeira School, where Victoria is a junior, she plays trombone in the school orchestra. During this past spring break, Victoria travelled to Spain where she spent a home stay with a family in Madrid. She also enjoys playing soccer with the McLean Viking team. Congratulations on all your hard work – in and out of school!!

ALEX DELUCA

April 4, 2011

Alex is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, where he sings with Manchoir. He has studied voice with Peggy for a year. During this time he has participated in every studio event, including two workshops and two recitals, as well as a performance at the Chesterbrook Residence in McLean. Alex also sang in the Beginning Junior/Senior Men's Division at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) in Harrisonburg, Va., in March. In May, Alex will sing a solo at the program marking the 25th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson High School. Last summer this National Merit Scholarship recipient studied constitutional law at Columbia University. Best wishes and congratulations!

MIA ENGELHARDT

March 28, 2011

Mia is a junior at Langley High School, where she sings with the chamber and concert choirs. She has studied voice with Peggy since the beginning of her tenth grade, and she has performed in three student recitals and several voice workshops. For the past two years Mia has placed second among all second sopranos in the District XII Choir auditions. Twice she has also participated in the Virginia National Association of Teachers of Singers auditions. This spring break Mia will travel to Russia with her Langley High School Russian language class. Not only does Mia love to sing, she has also been a member of the Hamlet Swim Team for six years! Best wishes and congratulations!

RACHEL ROBERTELLO

March 21, 2011

Rachel, a junior at Paul VI High School, has studied with Peggy for almost 2 years. She has participated in at least three student recitals and four student workshops. She has been a very loyal student. Rachel is a member of her school’s chamber choir and she has been selected to participate in District XI Choir for three years. Besides being active in her school’s music department, Rachel is a member of the varsity competition cheer squad which is ranked 15th in the nation. Congratulations and best wishes!

EMMA WILCOX

March 14, 2011

Emma just began voice lessons last month and during this time she has worked extremely hard to understand the keyboard and theory.  She will sing at the workshop next Sunday and hopefully at the May recital.Emma is a junior at Oakton H.S. where she has been the manager of the junior varsity basketball team. She also works at the 1757 Restaurant.Emma was born in Connecticut and moved to Virginia when she was just two years old. She loves to sing! Congratulations and best wishes!

WEEK OF MARCH 6, 2011: All 19 of my students who participated in VA NATS are “Students of the Week” for their hard work in preparing and for the time they spent in attending this conference. Their parents, too, are to be congratulated!

JAMIE JOEYEN-WALDORF
February 28, 2011

Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf is a freshman at Langley High School. She began voice lessons in September 2010.

Jamie is currently a member of the Cappies critics team with the Langley theater department as part of the "Cappies Critics and Awards Program for High School Theater." She has had her critic reviews published on patch.com and in the Catholic Herald newspaper.

This young singer recently participated in the 2011 District XII Honors Choir performance and she really enjoyed this experience!

Her hobbies, other than singing, include acting, playing the piano, and spending time with friends. Jamie hopes to continue singing throughout the rest of her life.

Congratulations and best wishes!

KATE MARGEVICIUS

Week of February 14, 2011

Kate began voice lessons with Peggy in January and she has made excellent progress. She is an eighth grader at St. James School in Falls Church. She has lived in Northern Virginia for two years and will return to Los Alamos, New Mexico, this summer. In the last year she has participated in the Imagination Stage Musical Theater Conservatory Group in Bethesda, Maryland. Not only does Kate love to sing, but she also plays basketball and tennis and she studies the flute. Kate also participates in tap and jazz dance lessons. Congratulations and best wishes!

ISABEL HEFNER

February 7, 2011

Isabel is a junior at Langley High School, where she sings with the madrigals and in concert choir. She has studied voice with Peggy for over a year and has participated in two voice recitals and one student workshop. She also performed in the summer performance at the Chesterbrook Residences. Isabel has been on the Langley High School varsity softball team and she has run varsity track. This very talented student also loves to play the guitar and the piano. In March Isabel will participate in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions, which will be held at James Madison University. Congratulations and best wishes!

MEGAN MICHAELS

January 31, 2011

Megan began voice lessons with Peggy in early September. Originally from St. Clair, Michigan, Megan moved to Northern Virginia two years ago. This young singer is a junior at a brand-new Loudoun County high school, Woodgrove. She loves to sing, and this year she was selected to participate in the All County Sight Reading Chorus. This fall Megan was on the Woodgrove color guard squad. She sang in our fall workshop and holiday recital. Megan will participate in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions in March. Congratulations and best wishes!

JAIMIE MULLIGAN

Week of January 24, 2011

The student of the week is a very versatile junior at Langley High School.  Not only does Jaimie sing well, but she also plays the flute in the high school band and she swims on the school varsity swim team!  She has played the flute for 7 years. Jaimie began voice lessons last June, and she has been a very diligent student.  Because she wanted to sing a duet at our Christmas recital with Isabel Hefner, who needed to be programmed on the first recital, she also performed on the second recital – two solos – because her family could only attend that program.  Jaimie spent a majority of her afternoon on December 4 at the Woman’s Club!! Jaimie participated in our fall workshop and sang at the Chesterbrook Residence, a retirement home, in August 2010. She will also sing at NATS this March at James Madison University. Congratulations to Jaimie!!  Keep up the good work.

VANESSA STRAHAN

Week of January 17, 2011

Vanessa is a freshman at Langley High School. She is a member of the treble choir and was selected to participate in the All District Choir, which will take place in February. Vanessa has studied voice for almost a year and she has sung in one student workshop and recital. In December, she performed in "The Laramie Project," a Langley High School dramatic presentation. This play, which highlights a tragic event, received much publicity from the media. Vanessa is also a serious dancer and for many years she has studied at the James School of Dance in McLean.

Congratulations to Vanessa!! Keep up the good work.

ALLIE GRAHAM

Week of January 10, 2011

Allie is an eighth grader at the Langley School in McLean where she has been very active in their drama department. Last year she starred in the school’s production of “Hand Me the Envelope” and in the fall she played the scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz.” Allie has studied voice for over a year and during this time she has participated in three voice workshops and three studio voice recitals. Allie also sang at the Chesterbrook Retirement Residence last summer and this month she will sing in the Northern Va. Music Teachers High School Voice Achievements Competition. Last summer Allie was a counselor/ apprentice at the Discovery Camp at The Potomac School. We hope Allie will have lots of performing opportunities in her new high school next year!!

KIMIYA HAGHIGHI

Week of Nov. 22, 2010

Kimiya is a junior at Langley High School and she has studied voice with Peggy for over two years.  During this time she has participated in several voice workshops and recitals. Last spring she placed third in the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association Voice Achievements Competition - beginning high school division.

Kimiya has also studied violin for 10 years.  Her private violin teacher is Pavel Pekarsky, a member of the National Symphony. She has been selected to participate in the all-region high school orchestra, etc. This young musician is also an excellent student and she participates in several honor societies at Langley H.S. Congratulations on your hard work!!

NANCY PRUETT

Week of November 15, 2010

Nancy Pruett is a freshman at McLean High School. She loves to act and to sing and she has appeared in many plays and musical productions. Last summer she played the leading role in "Once Upon a Mattress" with Shouse Players. She has recently been selected to participate in the All-District Choir (VMEA District XII). At McLean High School, she will perform in a performance of "The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan" on Dec. 3 and 4. Nancy enjoys participating in the Main Street Stage course at the McLean Community Theatre. This young student started voice lessons a year ago, and she has sung in one recital and in three workshops. She has performed in the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association (NVMTA) Voice Achievements Competition. Congratulations on your hard work!!

MAGGIE DUNLAP

Week of November 8, 2010

Maggie Dunlap has studied voice with Peggy since last spring. She has participated in two voice workshops and one recital. This young singer is in the 9th grade and she is homeschooled. She enjoys studying history and genealogy. Maggie has been playing the violin for 6 years. Currently she takes lessons from James Batts and she has also studied the viola for one year. This year she is enjoying being a member of the Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. Maggie hopes to study musicology at the university level. Congratulations on your hard work!!

MICHELLE LERCH

Week of November 1, 2010

Michelle is a senior at Westfield High School, where she has performed in several musicals including “Into the Woods,” “West Side Story,” and most recently, “42nd Street.” She will be performing in “The Philadelphia Story,” opening in mid-November. Not only is Michelle active in Westfield’s drama department, but she is also a member of WHS Chamber Singers. Next year she hopes to attend East Carolina University (ECU), majoring in music therapy. Michelle has been a student of Peggy’s for almost three years and she has performed in several voice recitals and workshops. She has also participated in a NATS Conference at Shenandoah University. Congratulations on your hard work!!

NORA MUELLER

Week of October 25, 2010

Nora Mueller has studied voice with Peggy since ninth grade.  She is now a senior at Langley High School where she has been active in the music department all four years.  She sings with the Womens Select Treble Choir. Nora has attended many voice workshops and she has performed in at least 5 student recitals. Not only does Nora love to sing, but she is also an accomplished dancer.  She dances and studies at the Cuppett Performing Arts Center in Vienna. Because of her excellence in studying the German language, Nora has received the Sprach Diploma from the German government. Nora plans to study psychology in college and sing!! Congratulations on your hard work!!

ARIANA KRUSZEWSKI

Week of October 11-15, 2010

Ariana has studied voice with Peggy since 8th grade. She is now a junior at South Lakes High School where she has been very active in both the drama and music departments, having performed in their productions of Les Miserables: School Edition and in Anything Goes. Last spring she received third place in the National Association Of Teachers of Singing (NATS) high school auditions at Virginia Commonwealth University. Ariana received honors in the Northern Va. Music Teachers Association (NVMTA) Voice Achievements Awards Competition in April 2010. Ariana was busy last summer as she not only participated in the Crittenden Opera Program, but she also attended the Arena Stage Academy. Last spring she was seen as a Cappie singer at the annual Kennedy Center Cappie Awards Gala. More recently Ariana is performing in the Reston Community Players production of Wonderful Town. She and her brother, Alex, are starring members of the ensemble. The production will run until November 6, 2010. In spite of her busy performing schedule this fall, Ariana is regularly attending her voice lessons. Congratulations ! Keep up the good work!

Above: Peggy attended Ariana’s performance at the Reston Community Theatre ... a very professional production!

KATHRYN BAILEY

October 4 – 8, 2010

Kathryn began voice lessons with Peggy in September. She is a freshman at Langley High School and sings in the Treble Choir. Kathryn began music lessons in Jordan Kitts Keyboard Learning Program. She then took private piano and voice lessons. Kathryn also plays the violin and played with three other violinists in a rock band at camp this summer. She has always loved to sing and recently began arranging music. Three-part harmony is her specialty. Kathryn was selected for the sixth grade All-County Choral Festival and the eighth grade All-District Choir. Kathryn was also selected to sing in the Children’s Honor Choir at the 10th anniversary concert of ACDA Voices United in August 2008 which was conducted by John Rutter. Congratulations! Keep up the good work!

NORA COTTER

September 27 – October 1, 2010

Nora is a senior at Stonebridge High School in Ashburn, Va. She began voice lessons with Peggy this summer and she has worked very hard. Nora intends to study music in college. At Stonebridge, Nora not only sings in the jazz choir but also in the chamber choir. She has been selected for both All-County and All-District choirs since her 6th grade. Nora has studied piano for over 5 years and this year she is playing in her school’s jazz band. She also gives private piano lessons. Congratulations! Keep up the good work!

FELICIA FRANCOIS

Week of Sept. 20-24, 2010

Felicia Francois is a 17-year-old-senior at Westfield High School in Chantilly, Virginia. She was born in Canada and moved to Virginia at the age of seven. Felicia has always felt a passion for music and singing. Even as a young child, she would sing constantly around the house or while playing. She began singing in choir in fifth grade and has not stopped since. She is currently a member of the Chamber Singers, a very prestigious choir at Westfield H.S. Last year Felicia was selected for All State Choir. She began taking voice lessons with Peggy in the summer of 2010 and she plans to major in Vocal Performance in college. She also enjoys piňa coladas (virgin of course) and getting caught in the rain. Felicia has worked very hard in her voice studies this summer. She is very deserving of this recognition. Congratulations! Keep up the good work!