Meet the 2021 Seniors!

Abby Beacom - 5 Year SCS Singer 
- Homeschooled 
​How has Summit Choral Society impacted your life?
It has been a place where I can go to escape whatever stress was in my life and just enjoy the music and friendships that I have found here. I have grown in my knowledge of music and in love for the people I have gotten to work alongside.
​What is your favorite Summit Choral Society memory?
We have went to Carnegie Hall during our 2018 tour! We performed a song called Snow by Morning there and I remember just how amazing it was to stand where so many other performers had sung before and to hear the beautiful sounds of the songs I got to be a part of.
What are your plans for the future?
​I plan to go to Kent State University and pursue a degree in Non-Profit Organization. I hope to run my own non-profit one day and create programs where kids can come and learn, develop and grow together through whatever their interests may be. I plan to keep singing throughout college.

Angelina Cocchiola -7 Year SCS Singer  
- Bio Med Science Academy 
How has Summit Choral Society impacted your life?
Summit Choral Society has offered me opportunities I never would have experienced in my life without joining. Every moment is filled with music and fun. I can not describe how thankful I am for having Summit Choral Society in my life.
What is your favorite Summit Choral Society memory?
I have a lot of favorite memories with this organization, but my favorite one was made during the Carnegie Hall Tour. I forgot my concert black shoes. I had to put my black socks over my shoes to wear for the concert. I remember our bus was late, so my choir and I had to quickly walk through Times Square to get to our destination - slipping and trying not to fall over. During one of the most beautiful, astonishing performances I have ever done, I had socks on my shoes.
​What are your plans for the future?
​After graduation I am planning on becoming a cosmetologist. 

Cecilia West - 3 Year SCS Singer 
- Wadsworth High School
How has Summit Choral impacted your life?
Summit Choral Society has let me see a part of a community of kind and talented people who love to make music as much as I do. It has made me feel welcome and given me the opportunity to grow in my musicality and experience many new valuable things.
What is your favorite Summit Choral Society memory?
​My favorite Summit Choral Society memory was the tour to Tennessee when we all stood on different floors of our hotel and sang out to the people below. It was so fun to share our music with others in such an interesting way. That whole trip was full of amazing experiences I will never forget.
​What are your plans for the future?
After graduation I plan to attend a small liberal arts college in northeast Ohio.
I am undecided as to what I want to
​major in.

David Gentile - 5 Year SCS Singer 
- Western Reserve Academy
How has Summit Choral Society impacted your life?
Summit Choral Society has impacted my life by giving me a group of people that are like me; people who love to sing and learn, but also know how to heave a laugh. It's also given me a place to learn music skills and parts of languages that I never thought I would learn.
What is your favorite Summit Choral Society memory?
My favorite Summit Choral Society memory would have to be the Washington D.C. trip during my 8th grade year. It was my first and only weekly trip that I had been on and I made lifetime friends as well as some friends that I have not talked to since, I will always cherish the memories with them.
​What are your plans for the future?
​I plan to get a degree in Psychology and volunteer when I have time. I would like to become a school psychologist. 

Elaina Letso - 6 Year SCS Singer 
- American Academy
How has Summit Choral Society impacted your life?
Summit Choral Society has given me great opportunities that I never would have had otherwise. Not only have I been able to practice a skill I love, but I have been able to grow closer to peers from many different places and backgrounds. I've been able to travel and see sights I could have only dreamed of. I've been able to grow, laugh and cry. I've found a family that I'll cherish forever.
What is your favorite Summit Choral Society memory?
​My favorite Summit Choral memory was my first year being in Performance Choir. I was in the 8th grade and we were touring to Washington D.C.. My roommates and I were looking out our hotel window, standing on the ledge and watching the people below. Mrs. Cooper knocked on our door which startled me, causing me to grip the curtain and it came down on me. The two girls were distracting Mrs. Cooper while we were trying to fix it.
What are your plans for the future?
​My plan after graduation is to go to college. At this time, my major is undecided. I hope to someday own my own coffee shop and to share a calm atmosphere with others. 

Melaina Uhrig - 10 Year SCS Singer 
- Theodore Roosevelt High School
How has Summit Choral impacted your life?
Summit Choral Society has made me who I am as a singer today. It has improved my confidence greatly, and I would not have had the conviction to try out for school plays and solos without it. I have made so many friends and figured out that my true passion in life is music. Summit Choral is what made me decide to pursue a career in music education. This program has made me who I am in so many ways, and I can’t imagine where I would be without it. When I become a choir director, I hope I am half as good as the choir directors I have had inSummit Choral.
What is your favorite Summit Choral Society memory?
Choir tours—the feeling of making beautiful harmony on the amazing stages we have sung on is unmatched, from the Kennedy Center, to Carnegie Hall, to the RCA Studio B Recording Studio. Making music surrounded by some of your best friends is magical.
What are your plans for the future?
​I am going to Kent State University to pursue a degree in music education so that I can become a choir director. Who knows? Maybe I’ll end up teaching with Summit Choral Society! 

Michael DuPlaga - 4 Year SCS Singer 
- Waterloo High School
How has Summit Choral Society impacted your life?
Within the short period of time that I have been with Summit Choral Society I have had more experiences as a musician in high school then most people have had in a lifetime. Knowing this I feel accomplished and value myself as a musician. In short, Summit Choral Society has been a major influence on the person I am today.
What is your favorite Summit Choral Society memory?
My favorite memory is standing on stage at Carnegie Hall. I remember being worried sick just before the performance but as we entered the stage I felt all my worries disappear. Instead of trying to recall my music, the words simply came off my tongue effortlessly like a subtle breath. This is a memory that is difficult to put into words due to the magic I experienced that day.
​What are your plans for the future?
​I plan on becoming a Mechanical Engineer, starting a family and joining the Metropolitan Chorus. 

Spencer Jones - 10 Year SCS Singer 
- Revere High School
How has Summit Choral Society impacted your life? 
Summit Choral Society has given me the chance to have many amazing opportunities such as the Danube River Tour in Europe, Carnegie Hall performance, Christmas Candlelight concerts and many more great experiences. Summit Choral Society is also a very positive and loving group where I am always excited to meet friends there every Monday night.
What is your favorite Summit Choral Society memory? 
Getting locked out of the balcony during the Christmas Candlelight performance.
​What are your plans for the future?
​I plan to major in Mechanical Engineering at The Ohio State University. 

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Meet the Singers

Baleigh B.

10 Year SCS Singer!
Children's Choir Program
Baleigh is a Junior at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. She is a majorette with the high school’s Marching Band, Lacrosse Team and School Ambassador. During summer drama camps, she sharpened her skills performing short plays and is a cast member of the theater program at school. For the past nine years, her beautiful voice has been fine tuned by SCS. With Summit Choral Society’s Performance Choir, Baleigh was thrilled to travel to New York City to perform on stage at Carnegie Hall. During Easter Break last year, she performed at The Grand Ole Opry. When she is not singing or acting, Baleigh enjoys drawing, hiking and Netflix.

Elaina L.

6 Year SCS Singer!
Children's Choir Program
Hey, I'm Elaina! I'm a senior at Field High School and I've been studying music, voice and theatre for eight years now! This 2020-2021 season will be my sixth and last year, and I can't wait for the memories I'll be making.

Bonnie M.

3 Year SCS Singer!
Metropolitan Chorus &
​Akron City Gospel Singers
Currently doing the card ministry at my church. Enjoy crocheting and my cats

​

Jayde L.

3 Year SCS Singer!
Children's Choir Program
I am a Junior and homeschooled. I have 3 older brothers who introduced me into the world of singing, I have enjoyed singing since I was little. I thank my parents for giving me the opportunity to be apart of such a great organization.

Megan C.

3 Year SCS Singer!
Children's Choir Program
​This girl loves to sing! Other fun activities include dancing, playing the piano, and learning about animals. Her favorite animal is the cheetah!

MaryAnn B.N.

5 Year SCS Singer!
​Metropolitan Chorus
My life is always happiest when I am part of a musical group. I grew up in SEOhio, making music in church and school. This includes my 4 years at Ohio University. After college sang with a Sweet Adeline choir ( ladies singing barbershop style harmony), which also sang at my wedding. When I married and moved to our NEOhio family farm, I did 8 years with Ravenna Community Choir. When I retired from teaching in 2016 I was delighted to have time to begin singing with Summit Choral Society. Am also part of the Akron Symphony Chorus and the annual concert of Gospel Meets Symphony. For me, one of life's greatest pleasures is having an excellent piece of music, a skilled leader, and a choir of terrific voices around me, making the magic that only live music can do.

Jamie T. 

7 Year SCS Singer!
Children's Choir Program
Jamie enjoys drawing, and has three pet fish. She is part of the academic challenge team at her school and has reached national levels in multiple categories. She is looking forward to joining her school’s soccer team in years to come.

Jane M.

2 Year SCS Singer!
Metropolitan Chorus
I've always been involved in music - playing piano solo and as an accompanist, playing percussion in band, singing in church, school, and community choirs, participating in musical theater. I'm excited to have found a musical family in our "new" home of Akron since we moved here a few years ago.

Ellie O.

4 Year SCS Singer!
Children's Choir Program
Ellie is an upcoming Junior at Copley High School. She loves musicals, singing, drawing, painting, and being with her family and friends. Being in this group has made Ellie very happy over the few years she as attended. Lastly, she hopes that everyone will stay healthy and safe out there! 😊

Tim L.

15 Year SCS Singer!
​Metropolitan Chorus
A child of the '60s, my path to Beethoven, Brahms and Bach was via the Beach Boys, Beatles and Byrds. Time spent in Borromeo Seminary and as a counselor at Camp Christopher deepened my appreciation of joining voices in song whether it was in chapel or around a campfire. Married to the most patient Patti Longville for 45 years, retired from the Summit County Board of MR/DD, I have relished my time participating in the programs of the Summit Choral Society with such gifted singers. Can't wait to point my young grandsons in that direction in a few short years. Personal goal as a singer? To someday make it through an entire concert without my bow tie becoming crooked.

Amber C.

9 Year SCS Singer!
Metropolitan Chorus
Children's Choir Program Alumnus
Pursuing a bachelors of science in digital sciences at Kent state university

Loretta S.

​Akron City Gospel Singers
Got to sing twice with ACGS, looking forward to doing it again.

Alyssa C.

7 Year SCS Singer!
​Children's Choir Program
​I am a Sophomore at Bio-med Science Academy in Rootstown, Ohio. This year will be my seventh year in the Children's Choir Program. Outside of choir I enjoy drawing, painting, photography, and travelling.

Meredith S.

6 Year SCS Singer!
​Children's Choir Program
I am a junior at Revere High School and a three year Performance Choir member. My younger sister, Avery, joined me in the group last year too. Outside of choir, I participate in marching band, speech and debate, Revere Players, and mock trial. On the few days I’m not busy with school and extracurriculars, you’ll likely find me brunching with friends or reading a book (I am an avid fan of “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and just about any poem written by Emily Dickinson).

Eden D.

4 Year SCS Singer!
​Children's Choir Program
Eden D is a upcoming year 4 Summit Choral Society Member in Performance Choir. She is inspired by Social Justice and uses music as an outlet of creativity and empowerment. She is currently enrolled in Portage Lakes Career Center in the Cosmetology and Early College High School programs where she will earn her cosmetology license and her Associates degree when she finishes High School.

Laralie S.

Year 2 Singer!
​Children's Choir Program
I loved my first year in SCS! I can't wait to learn more about music and make more friends.

Emily A.

Year 3 Singer
Children's Choir Program
​My name is Emily Anderson and I will be a 6th grader this year! This is my third year with SCS. My favorite part of being in SCS is our combined numbers. I love my family, my friends, and my new puppy Milo. My favorite book is Artemis Fowl, and I am obsessed with Pentatonix. I am very excited about the upcoming singing season!

Angelina C. 

​8 Year Singer!
Children's Choir Program
I absolutely love SCS!  It has provided me with so many opportunities I would not have had anywhere else and I have made lifelong friends!