All of us have important people in our lives who have shared, taught or made music with us. It might be a teacher, a friend, a family member, even a famous musician.
As part of celebrating 25 years of music education at Upper Valley Music Center, we invite you to honor that important person with a ‘25 years’ gift – $2.50, $25, $125, $250, etc. Your gift will help us continue that work and allow someone else to have an important musical person in their lives too.
You will get a special certificate of honor that you can display, plus the option to have us mail or email your message to the person you are honoring.
Elizabeth Storrie
From: Jennifer Hansen
My mother, Elizabeth, taught and performed for about 60 years. She created a welcoming and beautiful home, a busy voice/piano studio, and a loving environment for her five children. She enjoyed hearing about my teaching and eagerly attended my performances.
Elizabeth Storrie
From: Kelly Stuart
My grandma was an amazing singer and piano player who encouraged the musical gifts of her whole family. Nearly every conversation I had with her she wanted to know if I was singing and “using my gift”.
Richard Van Vliet
From: Josh and Ben Van Vliet
Dad has been an inspiring example (sharing joy and beauty through music as a pianist, choir director, church organist, and banjo player) and a tireless champion for us to make the music that we love.
Caroline Nickerson
From: Josh & Ben Van Vliet
Mom has been a constant and unwavering supporter of our playing music. Her deep enjoyment of and enthusiasm for our musical pursuits has been such a gift, a boost in the times we needed it most.
Patricia and Tom Norton
From: Sue Deaett
Patricia has gently and joyfully coaxed me out of a deep hole. I am grateful that I now can give voice to my strengths, my fears, my frustrations and my delights. Tom’s strength is the bedrock for all of us.
Kathy and Brian McAlister
From: Emma McAlister
I am so grateful my parents brought me to concerts that sparked my love of music and signed me up for lessons! Thanks for your endless support!
Elvis Presley
From: Clint Burdette
A spiritual man, duty and service; Elvis lost
the battle with his darkness. He bound us to our humanity: the light/darkness. Every time I fire up “Burning Love” gives me consolation and hope, strength to carry on. We are not alone, The Wonder, The King!
Richard Lissemore
From: Julie Ness
If I have any success as a singer and teacher, it is because of Richard Lissemore and his inspired teaching. He is an incredible vocal technician, while never losing sight of the spirit of music and how it connects us.
Harold 'Grandpa' Bowles
From: Judy Wild
My Grandpa gave me a violin when I was 11. That was that start of it all! I will be forever grateful for the support of my family who never forced me to practice ….
Evan Harlan
From: Jeremiah McLane
Was my accordion teacher at New England Conservatory; wonderful composer, pianist and accordionist, and human being. He passed away in 2014.
Ben and Alicia and faculty over the years at UVMC
From: Barbara DeFelice
Nacio Levey’s music teachers and influencers!
Judith Rudiakov
From: Janet Saint Germain
Mrs. Rudiakov taught me how to read music when I was a child. It is thanks to Mrs. Rudiakov that I enjoy reading music today, decades later.
Dale Blanchard
From: Annie Hansen
Grandpa Dale was a musician and great supporter of his grandchildren’s musical lives. He flew cross country for recitals, and when our borrowed piano was reclaimed by its owner, he bought me my own. RIP Dale!
Jane Helms
From: Susan Downing
As a pianist and teacher myself, I felt the need to improve upon my own technique and also overcome my fear of performing publicly. Jane encouraged and inspired me with her articulate teaching and patience.
Annemieke McLane
From: Susan Downing
I had the honor of studying advanced piano with Annemieke for 2 years. She introduced me to some exciting 2 piano repertoire which we later performed together at UVMC’s Two Piano celebration! We also studied Bach together.
Patricia Norton
From: Judith Englander
“Graduating” from Patricia’s Vocal Explorations into Juneberry Community Chorus has been one of the great joys of my life. She has taken me–and all her singers–under her wing and nurtured us bird by bird.
Nancy Davis
From: Jay Davis
My mother’s love of singing was highly contagious in our home. Her husband and two sons have sung for decades, and now all four grandchildren will be singing and acting this summer. Happy birthday, Mom/Nana!
Alison Cheroff
From: Cynthia Crawford
Alison brings us a wonderful, inspiring and unique approach to playing the piano. She has enabled me to do what I never thought I could accomplish, Her loving, cheerful presence is always an inspiration. Thank you Alison!
Phyllis Dale
From: Lisa Piccirillo
Dr. Dale was my middle school music teacher known for her tough love and teaching us Beatles songs in choir. Here we are after our school’s production of the Music Man in 1996.
Cynthia Crawford
From: Alison Cheroff
Cynthia plays beautiful music, and she constantly encourages and supports our musical life in the Upper Valley and beyond.
Judi Vinar
From: Patricia Norton
Judi helped me listen to my own voice with humor, patience, curiosity, and accuracy.
Sandra Wiese
From: Frederick Wiese
She’s my wife,…she’s my life.
Catriona Parsons
From: Rebekah Hurford
My grandmother sings Gaelic songs throughout the day, while she goes about everyday tasks, and taught me that singing is a part of everyday life. She has been an inspiration to me and encouraged my love of music.
Laurie Bastian
From: Jennifer Turbes
Laurie was my viola teacher from age 4-16 and taught me how to practice, how to enjoy making music and, I suspect, how to teach!
Katie Kitchel
From: The Case-Coughlin Family
Katie is a master teacher, an extraordinary artist and person. She has been the Music Together teacher for both of our sons. She has brought such joy and learning into our lives and we are forever grateful. Thank you, Katie!
Murray Perahia
From: Lindsay Dearborn
Murray Perahia’s recording of the Bach English Suites was my go-to music when I needed some calm, some insight, some patience, some connection, some inspiration while working for almost 10 yrs in West Africa. He saved me! 🎹💓
Dorothy Carter
From: Jane Woods
Dossie was my piano teacher and church choir director in middle/high school. An inspirational pianist/organist/harpist. Musical experiences with her were the best part of those years. She revealed to me the deep joys of music.
Bob Mark
From: Louis Cornell
In my fifty-plus years of playing chamber music, it was Bob more than any other coach who taught me how to listen. For many of us, he was the best coach we’d ever had.
Jeri Bridwell
From: Erin Smith
Jeri was my first violin teacher, and I have such wonderful memories of our Suzuki program.
Olivier Demers
From: Judy Pond
This amazing guy inspired me to take up the fiddle (at age 69). I heard Le Vent Du Nord at LOH, and thus started a whole new obsession, a whole new life, and my wholehearted involvement with UVMC.
Cleo Morse McNelly
From: Deecie Denison
My mother was a piano teacher and she always let me choose “top or bottom” when we played four hands together. I loved listening to her practise. And I loved her!
Festival Sponsors
Thank you so much to our sponsors and partners who are making this event possible! Businesses can sponsor the Sing & Play Festival with in-kind publicity (no cost!) or a donation. Become a sponsor.
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