As a voice teacher, Missy Gardiner for years wished that the City of Mesa had a professional children’s choir which she could send her young singing students to further strengthen their developing talents.
Now, with the help of Aubree Fry, she has taken on the challenge of formally organizing such a choir herself. They are calling their choral program Sing School.
The two have a great love for both music and children, and feel this will be a great blessing for the children of Mesa. Missy feels, “Music has the unique capacity to touch and influence for good. Many of our youth are isolated with the technology and distractions of modern life. I see this as an opportunity to nurture, uplift and edify children and teens with the unique power of music.”
Aubree adds, “Singing together in a choir gives children a sense of belonging. We hope that along with amazing musical skills, the children learn important life skills and come away having made lasting friendships.”
Missy Lofgreen Gardiner is a native of Mesa. She has taught piano and voice lessons for more than 30 years. She has a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Arizona State University.
Missy has toured internationally with the Brigham Young University Young Ambassadors and has sung with many choirs including the BYU Singers, Arizona Mormon Choir, and the East Valley Millennial Grand Choir. Currently, she sings with the Vocal Resonance Ensemble.
Missy has won both the state and national American Mothers vocal competitions. She has served in her church as a choir director and music coordinator for much of her life.
Aubree Stradling Fry, a native of Mesa, earned her bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education from Northern Arizona University. She did her student teaching at three schools – Franklin Elementary School teaching general music, and Rhodes Junior High and Summit Academy as a choir director. She is a piano and voice teacher as well as a volunteer choir director for her church, where she has found great joy in helping to create uplifting music. Aubree has performed in several different choirs, most notably, NAU’s Shrine of the Ages Choir.
Sing School is for children and youth ages five to 18. There are four choirs divided according to age. Registration is now open.
Rehearsals begin in August and will be held on Thursdays after school at Love of Christ Lutheran Church.
For more information, and to register, please visit MySingSchool.com, Facebook.com/MySingSchool, or contact Missy directly at MelissaGardiner@MySingSchool.com.