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Janet A. Westrick
Founder and Artistic Director
Director, Concert Choir and PGC Ensemble
I recently received an email from a young woman who was in
Girlchoir during the mid-90’s, and who traveled with us to Italy
on our very first PGC tour. Jessie is currently finishing a
Master’s at Yale, and this is what she wrote. "I wanted to
let you know that I’m still singing! It’s been a long
time since my Girlchoir days, but I have wonderful memories of my
Girlchoir experience. This is my fourth year singing with the Yale
Glee Club, and unfortunately also my last, since I’m graduating
in May."
The fact that there are countless other bright, emerging, successful
young women out there, who still love to sing, and who have happy
memories of their "Girlchoir years" gives me a sense of
humble satisfaction. It is the reason I am so committed to this
wonderful work.
Janet Westrick has been an accomplished music educator and choral
director for over thirty years. She is an honors graduate of Capital
University in Columbus, Ohio, has done graduate work at Western
Michigan University and Westminster Choir College, and is certified in
both Kodàly and Orff instruction. She recently retired from her
position as the Chair of the Music and Performing Arts Department at
Princeton Day School. A life member of the American Choral Directors
Association, Ms. Westrick has served that organization in committee
and conference work. She has presented workshops at Westminster Choir
College and was a presenter at the American Boychoir National Choral
Conference in 2002 and 2003. Her peers recognize her as a specialist
in drawing out the very best from children's voices. Ms. Westrick
currently serves as parish musician at Christ the King Lutheran Church
in Kendall Park, New Jersey. She was the 1997 recipient of the Women
of Distinction Award for the World of the Arts presented by the
Delaware-Raritan Valley Girl Scout Council, and a recipient of the
2005 Princeton YWCA Tribute to Women Award.
Melissa Keylock
Director, Grace Notes
"Most of my favorite childhood memories include singing. Choirs
provide an outlet for children's love of singing while simultaneously
providing training and music education needed to develop discipline
and attention to detail. Most importantly, choirs nurture a sense of
community from working together to make beautiful music. My
participation in choir had a huge impact on my life. I treasure
sharing that joy with the young singers of the Princeton Girlchoir."
Melissa Keylock is the Director of Choral Music at Moorestown Friends
School in Southern New Jersey, where she directs middle school and
high school choirs, teaches general music/theory and serves as Music
Director of the annual musical. This fall she joins the Princeton
Girlchoir as Director of the Grace Notes. Previously, Miss Keylock
worked with the Indianapolis Children's Choir as the Director of
Satellite Programs/Assistant Education Director, taught public school
for five years, and worked with the Lawrence Children's Choir in
Kansas. She holds a Master's of Music in Conducting degree from Butler
University where she conducted the BU Women's Glee Club, and holds an
undergraduate degree in Music Education from Wheaton College. Keylock
is currently pursuing Kodaly certification from Capital University and
is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Music
Educators National Conference, Organization of Kodaly Educators, and
Pi Kappa Lamba. She is listed in the 2007 edition of "Who's Who in
American Women."
Miss Keylock is a successful choral clinician and published
composer/arranger in Ruth Dwyer's series with Colla Voce.
Rebecca Elpus
Director, Semi-Tones
Directing the Semi-Tones has afforded me the invaluable opportunity
to help the girls identify and express their innate
musicality.
Rebecca Elpus earned her Bachelor of Music degree,
with honors, from The College of New Jersey where she studied choral
music with noted composer/conductor Michael D. Mendoza. She received
her Master of Music degree from Northwestern University in Evanston,
Illinois, where she studied choral conducting and pedagogy with
Northwestern’s esteemed director of choirs, Robert A. Harris, and
internationally-known children’s choir specialist Judith Willoughby.
Rebecca is an active member of the American Choral Directors
Association and was a delegate to the International Federation for
Choral Music’s Sixth World Symposium. In addition to her duties with
the Girlchoir, Rebecca is the director of choral music at Timberlane
Middle School in Pennington, NJ.
W. Bryce Hayes
Director, Cantores
"Creating choral music is all about building community. To make music
our girls must be acutely aware of and sensitive to the people around
them. Choral music provides us with the rare opportunity to create
something far greater than the sum of its parts."
W. Bryce Hayes maintains an active career as a conductor, teacher,
church musician, pianist, accompanist, and singer. He received a
Bachelor of Music in music education summa cum laude from
Westminster Choir College where he studied voice with Thomas
Faracco. Mr. Hayes is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in
Choral Conducting at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA where he
studies with internationally known choral technician Alan Harler. He
also serves as Director of Music at the Presbyterian Church of
Lawrenceville where he conducts the Adult Chancel Choir, the community
ensemble, The Lawrenceville Concert Singers, and the
Choirs of Children and Youth. He was the former Director of
the Upper School music program at Princeton Day School, where he
taught voice, music theory, and history, and conducted the Princeton
Day School Choir and Madrigal Singers. Currently, Mr. Hayes sings as a
featured soloist with the professional ensemble, The Princeton
Singers and works as a guest baritone soloist in the Princeton
area.
Shawn Michael Condon
Accompanist, Concert Choir and Semi-Tones
Shawn Michael Condon holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The College
of New Jersey where he studied choral music and piano. In addition to
his duties with the Princeton Girlchoir, Mr. Condon is Director of
Choral Music at Eric S. Smith Middle School in Ramsey, NJ. As an
accomplished collaborative pianist, he has accompanied at The College
of New Jersey, Rutgers, and performed in the recital series at St.
Paul's Chapel at Ground Zero in New York. He is Choir Director and
Organist at All Saints Episcopal Church in Leonia, New Jersey and
maintains an active piano studio in Bergen and Rockland counties.
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