NEW CHICAGO CHORAL WORKSHOP - JUNE 2024

The Nature and Joy of Singing, Poetry, and Art - Through the lens and beauty of nature, rising third through eighth graders are invited to sing in a choral setting and explore poetry and visual art. Singing with others and participating in the arts strengthen human connection. An integral component throughout the week will be elements of a mindfulness practice, teaching participants how to be open to and aware of what is around them, including nature.  This week-long experience will help students improve their ensemble artistry through exploring a variety of repertoire, developing skills for singing in harmony, and practicing the ability to be in tune with one another. The week will culminate with an interactive experience including a concert and exhibit of student artwork.

2024 Dates and Times:

June 17 - 21
Monday through Friday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
For Rising 3rd-8th Grade Students

Final Concert TBA

This camp does not require an audition. All registrants are accepted!

Faculty

Elizabeth Weismehl is proud to be a part of the MYA choral staff where she directs Voices Rising. A distinguished music educator for over 30 years, Elizabeth is excited about her newest adventure: writing. She recently published a two-part article called “Go and Shine!” in ChorTeach, a national journal of the American Choral Directors Association. Part 1: Nine Strategies for Cultivating a Positive Mindset focuses on one’s well-being through practicing mindfulness. Part 2: Eight Strategies for Cultivating a Positive Rehearsal Space applies mindfulness strategies in choral rehearsals and music classes. The second part is going to be reprinted in the New Hampshire Quarter Notes, a journal of the state’s Music Education Association, and Elizabeth is working on her next article. 

She is excited to have been interviewed for a recent episode of the podcast “Boot Camp for Band Directors” with Lesley Moffat and to have presented at a social emotional conference through Northern Illinois University. Elizabeth was selected to take part in a national project called Connected Arts Network (CAN), a professional learning community for K-12 arts educators, focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

Elizabeth has been teaching general music and choir to Kindergarten through fifth grade students at Avoca West School in Glenview since 2008. Under her leadership, the choral program has shown tremendous growth. She has also taught elementary music in Highland Park and middle school choir in Kenosha, Wisconsin and Plano, Texas, where her non-varsity treble choir consistently received superior ratings at the annual University Interscholastic League (UIL) choir contest. 

Elizabeth received a masters degree in vocal performance from Roosevelt University in Chicago and bachelor’s degrees in music education and vocal performance from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She has taken a variety of post-graduate classes at Depaul University and VanderCook College of Music. 

In 2004, Elizabeth was selected to be the Intern Conductor of the Toronto Children’s Chorus in Ontario, Canada under the direction of Founder/Conductor Laureate Jean Ashworth Bartle. Elizabeth has been singing with the Chancel Singers and playing handbells with the Trinity Ringers of Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette for many years.

2024 Summer Tuition and Refund Policy

Tuition: $425

Registration Deadline is May 15, 2024.

If you register after May 15, 2024, there will be a $50 Late Registration Fee. Late registrations will be accepted for open positions only.

Summer invoices will be sent out by June 1, 2024. Full payment is due two weeks before the program start date. Cancellations made prior to this date will be refunded minus the $100 non-refundable deposit. Cancellations after this date will not be refunded. There will be a 10% monthly fee for late payments.

For questions or further information, please contact us at (847) 926-9898, or email mya@mya.org.