FORMER STUDENTS


WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Some of my former students now have careers in music, continue to study music or participate in the performing arts. Others simply share memories of their experiences in my chorus or music class. I thought I would share some of them with you.

JENNIFER RENNER was Manager of Development for the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. from 2001 to 2010.
* Studied private voice and piano with me while in high school - Somerset, KY
* I prepared her for a vocal audition, securing a scholarship to the University of Lousville.
* Played Lucy in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" for which I was musical director

BENJAMIN BLACK is a Music Composition Major at Western Washington University
* Nancy Elementary Music Student & Chorus Member - Nancy, KY

JENNY CLEBERG DENNEY is Middle & High School Band Director / 11th Grade Arts & Humanities Teacher at Casey County High School in Kentucky.
Jenny emailed: When I was at Oak Hill and we had choir, I remember a song we sang and I can still sing it today but I can't find it anywhere. It was some kind of arrangement of Pie Jesu.
I replied: The song you asked about IS a setting of the "Pie Jesu," written by Mary Lynn Lightfoot in memory of children who died in the Oklahoma City Bombing.
Jenny: You have no idea how long I have tried to find that!!!!!!! I even sang it to my choral methods teacher at Western who recognized it but couldn't tell me anything. That song meant a lot to me when I was younger (and even now) and I was beginning to believe I just made it up in my head. It's funny the things that stick with you. Thank you sooo much.
* Oak Hill Elementary Music Student & Chorus Member - Somerset, KY

JOSH JONES emailed in 2008:
I remember being in chorus and singing "Music is Fun." I just wanted to tell you that you have been a huge influence in my life. ...I'm not the best of singers, but I love to be on the stage acting. I just participated in my first play... and needless to say I have been bitten. I absolutely love it. I just wanted to say thanks and good luck in all you do.

Josh continues to perform with the same local theatre group I enjoyed for many productions.  He now knows the wonderful director and several actor friends with whom I worked while I was teaching him in school.  "The circle of life!"
* Oak Hill Elementary Music Student & Chorus Member- Somerset, KY

KASEY BLAIR is now a P.E. teacher in Hindman, KY.  She emailed in 2007:
I must tell you that I was thinking about you last night because I was looking through my old yearbooks from days at Oak Hill!  And it was funny... I remember all the numbers we did for chorus. ...I even remember the words to some of the songs!  That's so crazy. ...Can you believe that was like 15 years ago???  Wow!  Miss you!
* Oak Hill Elementary Music Student & Chorus Member- Somerset, KY

KRISTEN MINGRONE posted in 2009:
Mr Salyers!  :]  How are you?  I'm still involved with music, still playing the piano!  I now play bass, drums and guitar too!   :]  I'm also singing in Foran High's choir.  Hope you are doing well!  :] ♪ ♫

* Calf Pen Meadow Music Student- Milford, CT