Susquehanna Young Women's Chorale
The Susquehanna Young Women's Chorale provides a focused rehearsal and performing opportunity for young female singers within the Susquehanna Valley.
Like the Susquehanna Youth and Children's Chorales, the Young Women's Chorale was formed to complement existing school music programs, by giving talented young female singers the opportunity to rehearse and perform with other highly motivated students at an advanced level of artistic excellence, specializing in music specifically written for women's voices.
Students are auditioned for membership and are required to pay a membership fee. A scholarship fund has been established to provide financial assistance for any deserving young musician who has auditioned successfully for the Chorale.
The Chorale rehearses one hour each week for ten weeks during the fall. Rehearsals focus on a Scholarship Benefit Concert and the annual Youth Choral Festival in November. The program's repertoire includes pieces from many periods of music history and encompasses a wide range of styles, from sacred music to folk songs. Emphasis in rehearsals is on fine choral literature and developing good vocal habits through choral techniques.
Elizabeth Lins-Shoenfelt, Conductor
Elizabeth Lins-Shoenfelt graduated from Messiah College with a degree in Music Education. She has been the choral director and general music teacher at West Perry High School and has worked as the Assistant Chorus Master for the Harrisburg Opera Association. In 2007 she received her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from The Pennsylvania State University. Ms. Shoenfelt is currently pursuing her DMA in Vocal Performance from the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia. She is a member of the music faculty at Shippensburg University and Wilson College and has taught at Messiah College. Ms. Shoenfelt is a frequent choral adjudicator and guest speaker for collegiate chapters of MENC and ACDA.
In addition to teaching and conducting, Ms. Shoenfelt maintains a private voice studio and is a frequent recitalist and soloist throughout the midstate. She has recently appeared in principal roles with several opera companies in Philadelphia and Harrisburg. She has sung for opera legend Frederica von Stade and for Robert Page, and has been a member of the Susquehanna Chorale, where she served as a soloist and soprano section leader.
Stephen Smith, Accompanist
Stephen Smith is a 1986 graduate of Messiah College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education with a concentration in voice and piano. For the past twenty-three years he has been the Director of Choirs at Middletown Area High School. He has served as an accomplished accompanist for soloists throughout the Harrisburg area as well as for ACDA Honor Choirs, Harrisburg Singers and the Harrisburg Opera Association. He also maintains a voice and piano studio in Middletown.
Mr. Smith is an active member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, the Music Educators National Conference and the American Choral Directors Association.
