Nadine Vasquez and Isbell Chorus Director Donna Nelson are seen on the tour boat to the Statue of Liberty. Nadine was selected for the 2015 Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall.  She performed as an Alto with the Honors Junior Choir.

Nadine Vasquez back from
Carnegie Hall performance

July 24, 2015
Santa Paula News

Isbell Middle School student Nadine Vasquez, the daughter of Stephen and Francis Vasquez, has returned from her trip to New York, where she performed with a middle school junior honors choir at Carnegie Hall.

She flew to New York with her mother and Isbell Chorus Director Donna Nelson. Rehearsals started the day after she arrived from 8:00 am to 12 noon and from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The 160 singers had two days to memorize and practice the seven songs they were to sing, under the direction of Greg Giltin who wrote one of the songs. An honors orchestra and honors band also performed. Speaking of Giltin, Vasquez said, “He made us very comfortable.”

She said performing was, “Really nice.” She noted that she understands what an honor it was to perform at Carnegie Hall. “I wish I could have the experience to go back.” She’s not sure she’ll get that opportunity because Nelson is giving up leading the choral program at Isbell. 

Vasquez said she’s been singing since kindergarten and she’ll be in the eighth grade next year. She noted that she’d like to pursue music as a career.

Her mother said it was an amazing experience. She said that Miss Donna, as she’s referred to, is very, very dedicated to what she does and she added, “She’s just awesome. She’s been very supportive.”

Nelson has followed Vasquez since her elementary school days at McKevett School. Nelson said, “She appeared in numerous shows and has great support from her parents.” Nelson noted that, while in the sixth grade, Vasquez attended the Heritage Music Festival at Fullerton College. She was chosen to perform a short solo after the judges picked her from a group of 25 children and received a special award.

Nelson said, that after her 16 years at Isbell, the music program lost the funding they always received from the Rotary Club Pumpkin Patch, which is no more since the Club lost the Faulkner Farm location.

The middle school honors program showcases the most talented middle school performers from across the United States, Canada, and select international schools. Through an individual nomination and selection process, accomplished middle school students are brought together in New York City. Several days of rehearsal under the direction of the renowned music conductors culminate in a life-changing performance at Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall represents excellence in musical performance, making it the perfect venue for the Honors Performance Series to showcase its elite student performers.





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