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Ms. Phelps
holds a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from
the University of Massachusetts, a Bachelor of Science
degree in music education from Hartwick College in Oneonta,
NY, and has
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earned
certification from the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
She began her professional teaching career as the high
school choral director in Salem, New Hampshire, prior to
teaching at Mt. St. Mary High School in Nashua. She is
a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing
and the American Choral Directors Association. She has
been the director of the Merrimack Chorus since 1995.
Ms. Phelps is the Director of Music at the Congregational
Church of Amherst as well as being the Musical Director for the annual musical productions at Merrimack Middle School.
As a soprano soloist, Ms. Phelps has appeared with the Nashua
Symphony, the New Hampshire Philharmonic, the Souhegan Valley
Chorale, the North Parrish Choral Society, Montage Chamber
Singers, and the University Glee Club of Providence.
Additionally, she is a Licensed Nurse’s Aide employed by Living at Home
for Seniors, Amherst, NH, and serves as a volunteer for Home, Health,
and Hospice. |
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Kimberly
Whitehead graduated cum laude from the University of New
Hampshire where she received her BA in Piano and Organ
Performance, and completed her masters degree in Organ
Performance at Boston University as
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a
student of James David Christie.
Ms. Whitehead is Organist,
Accompanist, and Handbell Choir Director at the Congregational
Church of Amherst, NH, as well as a private piano and organ
teacher.
She is a member of the Merrimack
Valley Ringers, a regional auditioned handbell/handchime
ensemble. She has performed
with various ensembles including Manchester Choral Society,
Nashua Chamber Orchestra, Boston University Chamber Chorus
and Repertory Chorus, and a twelve-member a cappella choir
in Boston called Tempus. She has been accompanist for the
Merrimack Chorus since 2000. |
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A native
of New Jersey, Mr. Varga earned a Bachelor of Music degree
from Rutgers University in 1994 shortly after completing
a four year enlistment in the United States Navy. He relocated
to New Hampshire in 2002 after acquiring a
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Master
of Arts in Music Education degree from Rowan University.
He currently holds the position of orchestra director at Concord High School and Performing Arts Coordinator for the Concord School District in addition to serving as an adjunct instructor for Franklin Pierce University. Concurrently he is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education at Boston University. He has been director of the Merrimack Concert Band since 2007.
When not in the classroom or behind the baton, Mr. Varga has appeared both onstage and in the orchestra pit as a double bassist with the Raritan Valley Orchestra of Central New Jersey, The Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey, Mainstage Center for the Arts Orchestra, Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, and RB Productions. |
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Ms. Ludvigsen
studied theater arts at Emerson College, Boston, MA and
interior design at the New York School of Interior Design,
New York, NY. At Okaloosa Walton Jr. College, Ft. Walton
Beach FL, she completed a series
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of
humanities courses which included art and music history
and the elements of art and music. She lived in Europe
for eight years and, while there, traveled extensively.
She also completed courses in art and music appreciation
at the University of Maryland, European Division, Stuttgart,
Germany.
Ms. Ludvigsen has been the Merrimack
Concert Association’s Executive Director since 1996 and
Artistic Director since 2000. Under the auspices of the
New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, Ms. Ludvigsen
was a 2001 Governors’ Arts Award finalist for Distinguished
Arts Leadership. |
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