Noteworthy News!

Spotlight on Students

This page spotlights some of the vocal achievements of my students.

View previous "Students of the Week"

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

	KIMIYA HAGHIGHI January 23, 2012 Kimiya will graduate from Langley High School this June, where she has been concert master of the school orchestra, a member of the honor society and the model U.N., among other activities. Kimiya began voice lessons with Peggy in 8th grade, and she has participated in numerous voice workshops and student recitals.  Kimiya also placed second in the beginning high school voice competition sponsored by the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association in 2010.  Her vocal range has increased widely in the last years and she is able to sing a high g above “high c” — quite amazing! She has studied violin for 13 years and she intends to continue her musical activities in college. Kimiya is a member of the Baha’i faith. Congratulations!!
	RACHELLE ROBERTELLO Week of January 16, 2012 Rachelle has studied voice for over two years and during this time she has participated in many student workshops and in at least five student recitals. Even after recovering from a serious ankle operation at thanksgiving, Rachelle sang in our recent recital holding crutches.Rachelle is a senior at Paul VI where she sings in the chamber choir and for the past four years, she has been selected to sing in the All District Choir.Rachelle has been a cheerleader in grades 9 until the present. The Paul VI team participated in the UCA Nationals last year. She will continue to cheer and participate in the choirs at Canisius College this fall.
	JAMIE JOEYEN-WALDORF January 9, 2012 Jamie is a sophomore at Langley High School, where she sings with the chorus. She is an active member of the drama department. Currently she serves as the co-lead Cappies critic for her school’s Cappies team as part of the Cappies Critics and Awards Program for High School Theater. Last year, Jamie was pleased to win the 2011 Rising Critic Award. She has performed in numerous productions in both school and community productions, including Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, and Treasure Island. She is excited to be in the cast of the Young Artists of America’s production of The Phantom of the Opera, which will make its DC Metro area premiere on March 16 and 17, 2012. Over the summer, Jamie attended the FCPS Institute for the Arts and US Performing Arts’ musical theater intensive course at Georgetown University. Jamie loves performing and singing for others! Congratulations!
	MADELEINE CHALK November 28, 2011 Madeleine is a sophomore at Langley High School, where she sings with the Langley advanced mixed and women’s chamber choirs.  She is looking forward to performing at the Madrigal Feastes on December 9 and 10. Madeleine began voice lessons with Peggy in June. She has performed at one student workshop and she will sing at the holiday recital on Dec. 3.  She also plans to sing at the National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions in March 2012. While a student at Cooper Middle School, Madeleine was president of the school drama club and she appeared in all of her school musical productions, including "Seussical Jr.” as The Cat in the Hat. Madeleine is a member of the professional theatre company, Studio Rep, at the McLean Alden Theatre. Congratulations to Madeleine!

MIA ENGELHARDT & ISABEL HEFNER Week of November 21, 2011   Mia Engelhardt (left) and Isabel Hefner are both seniors at Langley High School, where they sing with the madrigals. From a rigorous audition procedure held in October at Longwood University, they were both selected to sing in the 2011 Virginia Music Educators Association Honors Choir. Eleven students from Langley High School were chosen. Both Mia and Isabel sang alto and were awarded second place for all the senior altos who auditioned in September. Both Mia and Isabel have studied voice with Peggy for two years and they have sung at the NATS auditions and in several student recitals. The honors choir performance was held in Norfolk on November 17 at the VMEA Conference. Congratulations to both Isabel and Mia!!

KATHRYN BAILEY

November 14, 2011

Kathryn, who is a sophomore at Langley High School, sings in the women’s chamber choir and in the concert choir. She has studied voice for a year and has participated in two voice recitals and in several voice workshops. She also sang at NATS at James Madison University last March. Kathryn placed first in the All District Honors choir auditions for the alto section of the women’s choir. Kathryn not only sings but she also studied piano for 7 years and violin for five years. She is an excellent musician. For the last few summers, Kathryn has attended the Ballibay Performing Arts Camp in Pennsylvania. Congratulations on your diligence and hard work!

CAMILLE DOTSON

November 7, 2011

Camille, who is a junior, is home schooled. She lives in Sterling, Va., and with other home schoolers, she takes classes in Reston. Camille has studied piano since she was five years old and she currently studies privately with Phyllis Vickers in Great Falls. She began voice lessons in June. In August, Camille performed two solos at the Chesterbrook Residences in Mclean. This young singer is an active member at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church in Reston, where she has soloed several times at church services. She sang in last week’s student workshop and she will sing her favorite Christmas solo, "O Holy Night," at the holiday voice recital on December 3. Camille also works at Chick-Fil-A at Sugarland Crossing, and last year she was a candy striper at Arlington Hospital. Congratulations on your diligence and hard work!

SARAH DELCOCO

October 23, 2011

Sarah Delcoco is an 8th grader at Langston Hughes Middle School, where she sings in the choir. She began voice lessons with Peggy in September and she loves to sing and play soccer! Sarah performed the role of “Rosie” in the school’s production of Bye Bye Birdie last year and she hopes to be able to perform in this year’s musical as well. For the past 5 summers, Sarah has studied acting at YAT, the Young Actors Theatre. Sarah has also played the piano for four years. Congratulations on your diligence and hard work!

ADAM HEINS

Week of October 17, 2011

Adam Heins is 15 years old and in the tenth grade at Sidwell Friends School, where he sings in the audition-only Chamber Chorus.  He also started a co-ed a cappella group, Tempo Tantrum, for which he does all of the musical arrangements.  This fall Adam began voice lessons with Peggy.For the past five summers, he has attended Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan where he majored in piano and violin, and sang in the choir.  This past summer, he was the recipient of the Interlochen Fine Arts Award for Piano, and in 2008 he was recognized as an Honor Camper.  Adam is a founding member of the Amethyst Trio, a classical ensemble that performs regularly in the DC area.  He also knows how to play the flute, organ and harp.  In addition to music, Adam enjoys performing magic tricks. Congratulations on your diligence and hard work!

KATE LYN BROOM

Week of October 10, 2011

Kate Lyn is a junior at McLean High School, where she is active in the drama department. She has performed in several shows and last spring she played the part of the grandma in their production of Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” She began voice lessons with Peggy more than a year ago and she sang in our spring voice recital and at two student workshops. Kate Lyn has participated in several musical theatre workshops and in the Traveling Players Ensemble. She is also active in many church-related activities. Congratulations on your diligence and hard work!

MICHAEL GUO

Week of October 3, 2011

Michael began voice lessons last May and he has always been prepared for his lessons. He is a junior at Langley High School where he plays saxophone in the wind symphony and in the fall marching band. He also taught himself guitar and enjoys playing while singing. This summer he attended the NYSMF Music Camp in Oneota, New York. This young musician was born and raised in Chicago and learned to read music notes before he could read words. Michael has played the piano for eight years but has focused on saxophone for the past four years. He presently studies privately with Greg Stickler. Congratulations on your diligence and hard work!

MAGGIE DUNLAP

Week of September 26 - 30, 2011

Maggie Dunlap, a sophomore, is home schooled and she is the second student of the week for this school year. Maggie not only sings, but this is her second year playing the viola. She began violin lessons in third grade. Maggie began voice lessons over 1½ years ago and she has made great progress and learned so much repertoire. She has participated in several student recitals and workshops. Last year she received an honorable mention in the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association High School Voice Competition. Maggie is a member of the Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and she studies viola with Mr. James Batts. Maggie will be assisting the orchestra by writing the concert program notes. This very intelligent young musician aspires to be a musicologist. Congratulations on your diligence and hard work!

DAVID LIU

Week of September 19-23, 2011

David is a freshman at Oakton High School, where he sings in an all men’s choir. He began voice lessons with Peggy in June and on September 1, 2011, he performed in a musical evening at Chesterbrook Residences in McLean. He has been singing since he was 8 years old. A close friend inspired him to sing! David is an active member of the Harvest Chinese Christian Church and this summer he spent a week at a church camp. Besides his interest in vocal music, David also studied the violin for 5 years. He plays soccer and he likes to draw. Best wishes on your continued music studies! Congratulations!

View 2010-11 Archive here >