The Sangre de Cristo Chorale Outstanding Vocal Music Student Scholarships are intended to recognize graduating high school seniors who have excelled in vocal music and who plan to attend a college or university and major in music. Each year, since the 15th season, one or more students at high schools in the Chorale's audience area have been selected to receive this scholarship from nominations supplied by the schools' music departments and the scholarship candidates. Each scholarship award has been $250 (recently raised to $500), given to the students during the graduation or senior awards ceremonies at their respective schools. The Chorale welcomes donations in support of this scholarship.
Rachel
Bjorklund graduated from Los Alamos School in 2003.
Starting at 6 years old to the present, her musical abilities and interests
have included flute, piano, band, choir, voice classes, voice lessons,
church band, guitar, and musicals. In her sophomore year, she began
voice lessons with Karolyn Coulter. That year she was selected for
All-State mixed choir and participated each year thereafter. In high
school, she sang in the top choir Encore, which has greatly influenced
her musical career. Her musical participation at church has also been
a powerful and valuable influence in her life. With a partial tuition
music scholarship, Rachel will attend Northern Arizona University where
she will major in vocal music.
Javier
Ortiz, Pojoaque High School. Sang bass in the Chorale as one
of our 24th season student apprentices. Javier attended Pojoaque High School
where he was the bass section leader in the choir. He was the 2001 bass
apprentice for New Mexico Pro Coro and also sang with their youth choir.
He was a member of the 2001 All-State mixed choir, and has appeared in Santa
Fe's professional theater company "Theaterwork", where he has
appeared in "Guadalupe!" "The Threepenny Opera," "La
Dolorosa," and "Of Mice and Men." Javier will be attending
UNM in the Fall.
Audrey
Walstrom
graduated from Los Alamos High School with honors in June 2002. In July
2001 she attended the Vocal Academy for High School Students at Oberlin
Conservatory, and her experience there helped her decide to major in vocal
performance. Audrey was in the New Mexico All-State Choir for four years,
and was the All-State Mixed Choir soloist in 2000. She was in LAHS Encore
Choir four years and played principal roles in several LAHS Olions' productions.
She enjoyed being the 2001 soprano student apprentice for New Mexico Pro
Coro. She won first place in the state of New Mexico auditions for the National
Association of Teachers of Singing in 2000, 2001, and 2002. She plans to
continue singing at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University this
fall.
Sarah
Borrego graduated from Pojoaque High School in the class of
2001. During her high-school years she was selected, with only 3 other
students, to participate in the New Mexico All-State Choral Festival.
Sarah has also sung with New Mexico Pro Coro and has attended many choir
camps. She served as alto section leader in her high-school choir for
her last three years in school, had numerous solos, and also received
top honors in Los Alamos Solo and Ensemble competition. In addition to
her musical and community activities, Sarah was also able to maintain
high grade point averages, finishing her senior year with a 3.6 and 4.0.
Sarah enters the University of New Mexico this Fall and will major in
vocal music. We all wish Sarah the best in her college years and look
forward to her leadership and achievement in music.
Eliot
Fisher graduated from Santa Fe Preparatory School in May of
2001. Music has been a passion of his life for as long as he can remember.
He began studying piano at the age of six and music theory and composition
soon afterwards, which eventually became the core of his musical life.
His first substantial composition was a musical farce in elementary school.
Adding voice lessons to his education, Eliot presented semi-annual recitals
and acted in numerous Musical Theater productions in elementary and high
school. As his compositional skills blossomed, he won first-place awards
from the New Mexico Music Teachers’ Association State Competition
for a suite of Shakespeare songs in seventh grade and a for a string quartet
in ninth grade. In his senior year of high school, Eliot won the Mayor’s
Youth Artist Award, and he also directed a production of his musical comedy,
Tune Up! at Santa Fe Prep. He was also accepted to the All-State Chorus
for two years, but his most celebrated achievements continue to be in
composition, directing, and even teaching in the musical theater genre.
Eliot will enter Wesleyan University this fall and will continue singing,
writing vocal music and musical comedies, and playing the piano. He will
no doubt make his mark for all to see in the future, and we wish Eliot
well as he moves into the spotlight.
Carrie
Bonney graduated from Belen High School in the class of 2000.
She has been immersed in music since she was six, beginning with studying
piano, from which she won many competitions. Early in high school, Carrie
began voice lessons and sang in the Belen High School choir all four years.
She participated in the District Honors Choir, All-State Choir, Solo and
Ensemble, Concert Choir, Show Choir, and many high-school performances.
She has performed in the Junior Miss Belen and also with the Santa Fe
Opera. In her senior year at Belen, Carrie soloed with the Solo and Ensemble
Large Group Festival. She also was honored by the New Mexico Music Teachers'
Association with first places in their piano competition and with membership
in their Central District Honors Program. Carrie plans to attend New Mexico
State University, major in Voice Music, and sing in the NMSU Choirs and
ensembles. We extend our best wishes to Carrie as she enters this next
phase of her life, and we hope she will continue to enjoy and contribute
to vocal music.
Jayme
Hardy Graduated from Los Alamos High School in June
of 2000. She began her musical interests by studying piano, viola,
and clarinet and then switched to vocal music in high school. No
stranger to vocal music, Jayme had been singing and successfully
auditioning since early grade school, with lead roles in talent
shows, musicals, and in Solo and Ensemble. In high school, Jayme
sang and was section leader in the auditioned Women's Choir, sang
in the District Honor Festival's Honor Choir and All-State Women's
Choir, won honors in Solo and Ensemble (quartet and solo), and
sang with both Coro de Camara and New Mexico Pro Coro. Jayme also
served as Student Director at the Los Alamos Middle School, where
she ran sectionals, taught breathing and posture, and directed
a piece for the last concert. All of this and her studies with
recognized voice teachers have prepared Jayme for university studies
in Music Education, with a goal of graduate degrees in vocal performance/music
ministry and composing. Afterwards, she intends to direct choir
classes at the high-school and middle-school levels. We all wish
Jayme the best of achievement as she enters college and look forward
to her contributions to students' enjoyment of music.
21st Season (1998-1999):
Benjamin
Gac
graduated
from Los Alamos High School in May 1999. While at LAHS, he was singer,
section leader, and President of both the audition mixed choir, Encore,
and the Men's Ensemble. He has sung many solos and was elected "most musical"
by his senior class. In addition to these high-school activities, Ben
sang in District Honor Choir many times, the All-State Mixed Chorus for
three years, and earned awards in the New Mexico Solo and Ensemble competitions.
He has also performed with Los Alamos Coro de Cámara, Santa Fe
Pro Coro, and the Los Alamos barber shop group, Lads of Enchantment; and
he also formed his own award-winning quartet, "Room 130," to perform in
numerous concerts, parties, plays and the LAHS Topper Revue. Ben has studied
voice with Candace Magner, piano with Sarah Kelly and also plays guitar,
harmonica, and trombone. Now at the Music Conservatory at Wheaton College,
Ben is pursuing a Vocal Performance major. He is already in the Glee Club
and has received special permission to join the Operatic Theater, a rare
possibility for a freshman. We wish Ben well, as he continues his musical
achievements and studies and goes on to a successful musical career.
Clint
Singley
graduated
from Santa Fe High School in June 1999, was a student apprentice with the
Chorale during the 20th season and a singer during the 21st season. He sang
in the A Capella Choir at school, and the Youth Choir and Contemporary Choir
at St. John's United Methodist Church. Clint has sung in choirs for as long
as he can remember and enjoyed singing in the church services at St. John's.
He made the All-State Choir his junior year and was also in the Fiesta Ringers
handbell choir. Clint has been playing the piano since the age of six and
has also worked on composition and learning to play the guitar. He was active
in the youth group and the Youth Ministry Council at St. John's and was
a swimmer on the Santa Fe High School Swim Team. Clint is now attending
Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL and is pursuing a Music Business
degree. He is performing in the University Singers, the Madrigal Singers,
a quartet he has formed, and a Christian Band; and he continues to compose.
Our two years with Clint were great fun, and we wish him the best of good
fortune and success. 20th Season (1997-1998):
Aaron
Bierner
graduated
from Belen High School in May 1998. He was lead tenor in the school's concert
choir and also sang in the high school's select Show Choir. Aaron also sang
in church choir and was an alumnus of the Albuquerque Boy Choir. He was
accepted into Honor Choir all 4 years of high school and was in All-State
Choir two years and brought home medals in solo and ensemble competition
for three years. In addition to singing, Aaron has also conducted the Belén
Choir on several occasions. Outside of his many school choral activities
and honors, Aaron has taken both vocal and piano instruction and has served
as a counselor and tutor for his vocal teacher's Belén Middle School
students when they attended Hummingbird Music Camp. Aaron is attending New
Mexico State University and is majoring in Business, in preparation for
the Ministry. He also auditioned and was accepted into the NMSU Music Department
for a minor in Music. He would like to thank his parents, and especially
God for all the help they gave him along the way. 
Margaret
Rebecca Ringle
graduated
from Los Alamos High School in May 1998. She has studied voice from Dr.
Candace Magner for three years and has been in the Los Alamos High School
choral program for four years. Becca has been soprano section leader and
has participated in All-State competition four times. She has served as
a District Music Intern and has given voice coaching to two underclassmen
in Harmony. In her junior year, she earned first place in the State competition
of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). In her senior
year, Becca returned to NATS state competition and sang in their Master
Class as well. Her most enjoyable musical experience during high school
was her attendance at the Oberlin Conservatory Summer Vocal Academy for
Promising High School Singers, which inspired her to pursue a career in
music. Becca's plans to pursue Bachelor's and Master's degrees in vocal
music studies at Oberlin Conservatory. She plans not only to perform in
the future, but also to teach vocal music students.  John
Lissoway
has been in choral music programs since the age of eight. Son of John
and Bonnie Lissoway, John was born and raised in Los Alamos. He was
the president of the select Encore choir and tenor section leader
during his last two years at Los Alamos High School. John has also
been a member of New Mexico Pro Coro. He has participated in New Mexico
All-State Choral Music Festivals for four years and is also active
in Key Club, Natural Helper, soccer, and baseball. John is now attending
Texas Tech University, where he is pursuing a liberal arts education,
with an emphasis in Choral Music. |
 Amber
Painter
came to music through the flute and began singing in middle school.
She was selected for All-State in Maryland during her 10th grade year
and then in New Mexico during her Senior year at Los Alamos High School.
Amber's talents range from piano accompaniment and performance, to
composing (both instrumental and vocal) and singing. She has sung
in the Encore Choir at LAHS all during her high-school years and was
selected as soprano section leader for her junior and senior years.
Amber is now attending New Mexico State University and majoring in
Biochemistry; but she is continuing her music activities as well.
|
 Emily
Wyrick
was
also an apprentice in the Chorale during her senior year at Los Alamos
High School. She was involved in musical study and performance since
the age of five, with voice and dance lessons and performances in
Amahl and the Night Visitors, How to Eat Like a Child, Finnian's Rainbow,
and Oliver. She was also invited to perform in the 50th-anniversary
celebration of the Los Alamos Little Theater. Emily sang in the Encore
Choir and played bass guitar in the Jazz-I Band all four of her high-school
years. She performed Beethoven's Eroica Symphony with the Los Alamos
Symphony Orchestra, has accompanied the Sangre de Cristo Chorale in
Christmas and Spring concert performances, and has had solo performances
on numerous occasions (including performance of the National Anthem
at the State Championship Track and Swimming meets). Emily is also
a cross-country athlete, having been a member of the LAHS cross-country
team. Texas Tech University is now Emily's alma mater, where in addition
to her studies she will pursue Music as a minor. |
Michelle
Dahlenburg
graduated
from Los Alamos High School on May 26, 1996. A student of Candace Magner,
she was an active member of many different choral ensembles throughout high
school. Some of these included Encore Choir, All-State Choir, District Honor
Choir, Swing Choir, Girls Chorus, and Mixed Chorus. In April, Michelle had
the role of Marian Paroo in the Los Alamos High School production of The
Music Man. Michelle is attending Northern Arizona University and is a member
of the NAU's Women's Chorale and Oratorio Choir. 
Tamarah
Ready graduated
with honors from Española Valley High School on May 25, 1996. As
a Junior, Tamarah was the Chorale's first student apprentice, singing in
the Alto section during the seventeenth season. During her senior year,
in addition to her regular duties and her student leadership involvement,
she was a vocalist and violinist in three mariachis. As part of Mariachi
Juvenil de Española, she participated in Mariachi Spectacular Conferences
in both El Paso and Albuquerque. The other mariachi of which she is a member,
Mariachi Española, was invited to perform at the Colorado State Fair
in August and recently recorded their second tape and first CD, entitled,
"Tesoros del Alma." Additionally, Tamarah had the privilege of being a member
of the first all-female mariachi in New Mexico, Mariachi Las Calandrias
Norteñas. Tamarah is presently attending Mills College in Oakland,
California, where she plans to major in music and/or communications. 
Mike
McCalla attended
Los Alamos High School and was graduated May 27, 1995. Mike began his singing
career in pre-school, singing "Jingle Bells" for the whole class in perfect
pitch. Mike performed with the select, mixed high-school choir, Encore,
for four years, as well as with the select middle-school group, Unity, for
two years. He was selected for the New Mexico All-State Mixed Honor Choir
for three years. He has also sung with David Arellanes' Pro Coro in the
spring season of 1995. Mike is majored in Music Education at New Mexico
State University, and performed with the University Singers there. 
Tracy
Stidham
graduated
from Los Alamos High School on May 27, 1995. Tracy has always been someone
with a variety of interests, mostly one at a time. In Los Alamos, he began
with flying (Civil Air Patrol), then cars, guns, and horses. However, through
all of his phases Tracy has enjoyed singing. He sang in the high school
play, Bye, Bye, Birdie, in Unity for two years, in Encore for three years,
in Men's Ensemble for two years, District Choir for all 4 years; and he
was selected for All State his senior year. Tracy has also enjoyed Wilderness
Trek through the years, participating since he was 9 years old and working
on staff for two years. He has always had a strong work ethic and a variety
of work experiences as he was growing up. Tracy attended Abilene Christian
University . 
Hannah
Hausman graduated
from Santa Fe Preparatory School on June 4, 1994. In high school, she participated
in all of the school-sponsored musical theater programs, with lead roles
in all but one show. Her involvement in the All-School Choir and the Select
Chorus led to several solo performances. Hannah attended the University
of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. She majored in Theater and Musical Arts.
She was also accepted into the 40-member Women's Ensemble at the University.
Elizabeth
Wheeler
has been
singing and performing since she was four years old. She attended Los Alamos
High School and was graduated May 28, 1994. During her high-school years
she sang lead roles in several musical productions and also sang with the
select women's ensemble, Unity, and the select mixed choir, Encore. Liz
made the New Mexico All-State Choir through four consecutive years and All-State
Orchestra for three years. She placed first in the New Mexico PEP competition
and in the regional and state NMMEA competitions. Liz majored in music in
college
Nicole
Lamartine
was a
1993 graduate of Los Alamos High School. She enrolled at New Mexico State
University, where she studied with John Linford in pursuit of a music degree.
She was a member of the University Singers and had a role in the University's
production of Sweeney Todd.