Scholarship Program

Soprano Katharine Langstaff has been selected as the 2010 recipient of Summit Chorale’s Christine Z. Muller Scholarship. A senior at New Providence High School, Miss Langstaff was a general finalist at Westminster Choir College’s Classical Singer High School Competition. She  was named to the Eastern Division Honor Choir, under the auspices of the American Choral Directors Association, in 2010. Her high-school honors also include participation in the All-Eastern Honors Mixed Choir, New Jersey All-State Mixed Chorus and New Jersey All-State Women’s Chorus. While at NPHS, Miss Langstaff performed in the Jazz and Women’s Choirs and appeared in three musical productions. Miss Langstaff also shares her love of music with senior citizens in the New Providence community. During the holiday season of 2007, she and a friend visited area nursing homes to spread some musical holiday cheer. Since then, their efforts have grown into a NPHS-sanctioned club, with 15 students spending time every other weekend with the nursing homes residents.

Soprano Mia Pafumi was awarded the 2008 Christine Z. Muller Memorial Scholarship by Summit Chrorale. A graduate of Westfield High School in June 2008, Mia will attend Montclair State University's John J. Cali School of Music to major in Vocal Performance. Mia has recieved numerous honors, including acceptance into the N.J. State Women's Regional Chorus and All-State Women's Chorus, an appearance in Die Zauberflote at the Rome Festival Opera in Italy, and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress by the Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for her Hedy LaRue role in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Mia hopes to eventually perform solo recitals in Italy and Germany.

Melissa Fajardo was awarded the 2007 Christine Z. Muller Memorial Scholarship by Summit Chorale. A graduate from Hanover Park High School in June 2007, Melissa will attend Westminster Choir College of Rider University in the fall. The selections submitted by Ms. Fajardo were John Eccles' The Jolly Jolly Breeze and Pergolesi's Se tu m'ami. Melissa Fajardo was the Alto Section Leader of the Hanover Park High School Choir, directed by Helen de Britez, who describes her voice as "rich, clear with superb intonation and a wide usable singing range." Her private voice teacher is Barbara Cornelia of Morristown.

Leigh Emery was awarded the 2006 Christine Z. Muller Memorial Scholarship by Summit Chorale. Graduating from Jefferson Township High School in June 2006, Leigh, a resident of Lake Hopatcong, won because of her outstanding achievements as a soprano, exemplified by her submitted performances of Stefano Donaudy's Come l'Allodoletta and Richard Strauss' Breit über Mein Haupt. This fall she will attend Westminster Choir College of Rider University to begin studies in voice performance and music education.

Alexandra Roth was awarded the 2005 Christine Z. Muller Memorial Scholarship by Summit Chorale, Chorus in Residence at Drew University. Graduating from Princeton High School in June 2005, Alexandra won because of her outstanding achievements as a vocal musician. She has been an outstanding member of the Princeton High School Choir, Chamber Choir, and "Around 8," an a cappella group. She has taken a number of college music theory courses at Westminster Choir College. This fall she will attend Oberlin Conservatory to major in voice performance.

Benjamin Bouton was awarded the Christine Z. Muller Memorial Scholarship by Summit Chorale, Chorus in Residence at Drew University. Graduating from Millburn High School in June 2004, Benjamin won this scholarship because of his many accomplishments, including student conductor for the Millburn High School chorus, North Jersey Regional Chorus for four years and Regional Orchestra for two years, New Jersey All-State Chorus for three years, and roles in musical productions at the High School, including the lead in Harvey. Benjamin will be studying Vocal Performance and Music Education at Rider University's famed Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, in the Fall of 2004.

Jennifer Tillson was awarded the Christine Z. Muller Memorial Scholarship by Summit Chorale, Chorus in Residence at Drew University. Graduating from Mt. Olive High School in June 2003, Jennifer won this scholarship because of her many accomplishments, including Mt. Olive High School Chamber Choir, North Jersey Region I Chorus, New Jersey All-State Chorus, and All-Eastern Mixed-Choir Honors Chorus. Jennifer will be studying Music Education in Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, in the Fall of 2003.