Education

Educating young singers not only inspires them to set higher goals, but it ensures the future of choral music; this is a core value for Harmonia as an organization. We continually strive to bring enriching experiences to the students of Niagara County and beyond.

For the 2019 Rise Up! concert with special guest conductor Stacey V. Gibbs, student choirs from the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (directed by Karen Saxon and George Davis), Frederick Law Olmsted High School (directed by Monica Stankiewicz) and Charter School for Applied Technologies (directed by Harmonia singer Sara Martinez) participated in the performance and in pre-concert workshops with Mr. Gibbs.

In May 2016, Harmonia invited guest conductor and composer, Steven Sametz, for a brief residency in Western New York. On May 20, Dr. Sametz, director of choral activities at Lehigh University, and members of Harmonia led a choral workshop with students from Niagara Falls and Sweet Home High Schools. That evening, we presented a concert at Historic Holy Trinity in Niagara Falls, NY. On May 21, Harmonia invited the students for the 10th Anniversary Concert, held at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo, NY. The entire event was a great success!

On April 22, 2015, Harmonia led a choral workshop with students from the Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda High School music departments. Members of Harmonia worked in separate sessions on important vocal and choral fundamentals. Students gained valuable insight into the art of singing and achieving a professional sound. That evening, all three groups performed at a special concert. At the end, we combined to present a spirited rendition of Jai Ho!, arr. Ethan Sperry.

There programs were made possible with funding from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; administered by Arts Services Initiative of Western New York.