Los Angeles, CA (Top40 Charts/ AMAZON Marketing) America's leading youth choral institution, the
National Children's Chorus (NCC) has appointed American soprano Lisa Vroman to its honorary board of directors. She joins fellow NCC board members Mark Thallander (president), Grant Gershon, Paul Salamunovich,
Morten Lauridsen, and Frederick Swann as part of a distinguished team of music professionals who have contributed significantly to the organization's artistic and administrative growth, and continue to mentor its world-class educational programs.
A year ago, Vroman performed with 150 members of the NCC and a chamber orchestra in Los Angeles and New York concerts. Since then, she has continued to contribute to the NCC's growth and development, most recently leading a special NCC vocal masterclass for more than 100 guests at Schoenberg Hall at the UCLA School of Music. There, she critiqued the solo performances of four of the NCC's most advanced students, working with each to improve vocal and performance technique.
"Lisa Vroman's serving on the NCC's honorary board is a natural step in the evolution of our work with her, after our thrilling musical collaborations last year in both Los Angeles and New York," said artistic director Luke McEndarfer. "Since then, she has continued to share with the NCC her passion for youth music education, as well as her remarkable ability to convey artistic concepts to young singers."
Of her new appointment, Vroman said, "I'm honored to support the educational initiatives of the
National Children's Chorus in these meaningful ways. The NCC is an incredible youth arts organization and I'm so proud to be able to enrich the experiences of its gifted students. With so many arts and music programs facing hardship in today's tough economy, I am thrilled to see the NCC thrive, and to be a part of the exceptional benefits that result from its amazing programs."
Vroman is perhaps best known for her role on Broadway as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera. As Christine, she garnered Theatre Critic's awards for her performances in a record-breaking run in San Francisco, and a return engagement at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Vroman starred as Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella, making her New York City Opera debut with Paul Sorvino in the title role. She also played
Charlotte in A
Little Night
Music with Michigan Opera Theatre, starring
Leslie Uggams and Ron Raines. When she made her Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops, she starred as Lili Vanessi in Kiss Me Kate with Glimmerglass Opera.
Mark Thallander, NCC honorary board president, credited with putting together the initial group of board members in 2009, also commented on Vroman's appointment. "Lisa is a phenomenal artist, who truly understands the attention a singer must give to the text in order to deliver a powerfully moving performance. Her unwavering commitment to excellence in education is a perfect match for the NCC, as its programs expand on both coasts. We enthusiastically welcome her!"
The NCC recently moved the bi-coastal organization's Los Angeles rehearsals to Schoenberg Hall. In addition to serving as a new rehearsal location for the NCC, the Hall will be the new venue for the NCC's fall and spring showcases featuring the youngest Prelude Level chorus up to the Scholars, the most advanced group. In addition to the annual showcases, the NCC's senior division performs a full season of concerts at The Broad Stage in
Santa Monica . The NCC's East Coast students perform at The Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York . The 2013/14 concert season, entitled "Roots," begins in December.
