Scholarship Program

Soprano Mia Pafumi is going this fall to Montclair State University's John J. Cali School of Music to major in Vocal Performance.

Ms. Pafumi has sung with the Westfield High School Concert Choir, Mixed Choir and Chorale/Choraleers, under music teacher Sharon Reynolds, and received honors in N.J. State Women's Regional Chorus and All-State Women's Chorus. Her achievements include appearing in Die Zauberflote at the Rome Festival Opera in Italy, solos of “Ariel” and “I Need a Hero” from Footloose at Westminster Choir College Musical Theatre Camp, and 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.

Her vocal teacher and accompanist, Jeanette Ferrell, has guided Ms. Pafumi’s vocal development since the first grade and says that "her love of music, her determination and her talent prevail."  Ms. Pafumi 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.