News and Performances
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NVMTA Musical Theatre Competition Results
The 2025 Musical Theatre Competition of the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association (NVMTA) was held Sunday, October 19, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Annandale. Congratulations to my students who participated, and especially to those who placed in this very competitive event.
Div. 1 - grades 6, 7, 8
- Aria Song, 8th grade, Sidwell
The 2025 Musical Theatre Competition of the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association (NVMTA) was held Sunday, October 19, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Annandale. Congratulations to my students who participated, and especially to those who placed in this very competitive event.
Div. 1 - grades 6, 7, 8
- Aria Song, 8th grade, Sidwell Friends School - Third Place
Div. 2 - grades 9, 10
- Griffin Harris, sophomore, Langley High School - Honorable Mention
Div. 3 - over 11, 12
- Eleanor Campione, junior, Langley High School
- Grace Shaffer, senior, Thomas Jefferson High School
Pictured above: Division 3 participants; Eleanor Campione and Grace Shaffer are shown in top row, far left and fourth from left, respectively.
Jude Hassan (freshman, Woodson High School), prepared for but was unable to participate.
Edrie Means Weekly Leads Musical Theatre Masterclass
On Sunday, October 5, Edrie Means Weekly led a free masterclass, which was designed to coach students who plan to participate in the NVMTA Musical Theatre Competition on October 19. Edrie is one of Peggy's former students, and she is on the faculty both of Shenandoah Conservatory, where she is a Musical Theatre Styles Specialist; and of G
On Sunday, October 5, Edrie Means Weekly led a free masterclass, which was designed to coach students who plan to participate in the NVMTA Musical Theatre Competition on October 19. Edrie is one of Peggy's former students, and she is on the faculty both of Shenandoah Conservatory, where she is a Musical Theatre Styles Specialist; and of George Mason University's Dewberry School of Music, where she specializes in teaching Musical Theatre and Voice.
Pictured above (left to right): Griffin Harris, sophomore at Langley H.S.; Eleanor Campione, junior at Langley H.S.; Jude Hassan, freshman at Woodson H.S.; Edrie Means Weekly; Peggy; and Grace Shaffer, senior at Thomas Jefferson H.S. Not shown: Aria Song, 8th grader at Sidwell Friends School.
Peggy Performs at Homecrest House
On April 5, Peggy performed at the Homecrest House senior living community in Silver Spring, Maryland, with Amy Rothstein (above, left) as pianist. The program included pieces from Peggy's favorite operas, musical theatre, and classical and contemporary songs.
Marshall Choir Presents "Broadway Bound"
In March 2025, Peggy attended "Broadway Bound," presented by the George C. Marshall High School Choir department. Sophia Rader, senior at Marshall (above, right), performed in the concert, which featured songs from some of the biggest Broadway musicals through the eras.
2025 NVMTA Voice Achievements
2024-25 Honors Choir and Competition Achievements
The 2025 Voice Achievements Competition of the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association (NVMTA) was held Saturday, March 15, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Annandale. I'm very proud of all of my students who participated. The following students placed in their respective categories:
Division 1 - grades 6-8
Sebastian Rudd (sophomore,
The 2025 Voice Achievements Competition of the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association (NVMTA) was held Saturday, March 15, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Annandale. I'm very proud of all of my students who participated. The following students placed in their respective categories:
Division 1 - grades 6-8
Sebastian Rudd (sophomore, Flint Hill School) - Honorable Mention
Division 2 - grades 11-12
Clelia Benedetti (senior, Langley High School) - 3rd place
Division 3 - over 18
Donna Hamilton - 2nd place
2024-25 Honors Choir and Competition Achievements
2024-25 Honors Choir and Competition Achievements
2025 VANATS
The Virginia National Association of the Teachers of Singing (VANATS), held their 2025 student auditions at George Mason University on February 22. Congratulations to the following students who participated:
Clelia Benedetti, senior, Langley High School
Ellie Fox, senior, Langley High School
Anju Advani, junior, Oakton High Schoo
2025 VANATS
The Virginia National Association of the Teachers of Singing (VANATS), held their 2025 student auditions at George Mason University on February 22. Congratulations to the following students who participated:
Clelia Benedetti, senior, Langley High School
Ellie Fox, senior, Langley High School
Anju Advani, junior, Oakton High School
Jude Hassan, 8th grader, Robert Frost Middle School
Ellie Fox received Honors in the older High School Womens' Classical category.
Jude Hassan placed 3rd in the Youth category.
2025 VDCA DISTRICT CHOIR
The following students were selected to participate in the 2025 Virginia Choral Directors Association (VDCA) District XII Choir event, which was held February 13 - 15 at George C. Marshall High School:
Sophia Rader, senior, George C. Marshall High School
Ellie Fox, senior, Langley High School
Eleanor Campione, sophomore, Langley High School
2025 ALL-VIRGINIA CHOIR
Sophia Rader, senior, George C. Marshall High School, has been selected for the All-Virginia Choir as an alto. The All-Virginia event will be held April 24 - 26 in Richmond.
2024 VMEA SENIOR HONORS CHOIR
Ellie Fox, senior at Langley High School, was selected to participate in the 2024 Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Senior Honors Choir event, which was held November 21-23, 2024, at the 2024 VMEA Conference in Norfolk.
Peggy Visits with Former Students
Peggy visited with two former students in January 2025: Tracy Waagner (left), who will graduate from Oberlin Conservatory in May as a voice major; and Aneesha Singh (center), who is a freshman at the New England Conservatory in Boston.
Peggy Visits with Ana Gasteyer
During a recent trip to New York City, Peggy attended a performance of Once Upon a Mattress. After the show, she met with her former student, Ana Gasteyer, who played one of the leads. Ana studied with Peggy years ago, when she was a student at Sidwell Friends. Also pictured with Peggy is her daughter, Maureen (far right), and granddaught
During a recent trip to New York City, Peggy attended a performance of Once Upon a Mattress. After the show, she met with her former student, Ana Gasteyer, who played one of the leads. Ana studied with Peggy years ago, when she was a student at Sidwell Friends. Also pictured with Peggy is her daughter, Maureen (far right), and granddaughter, Miranda (far left), who studies at New York University (NYU).
Peggy Visits with Former Student
Peggy Visits with Former Student
During her recent trip to New York City, Peggy met with former student Camila Maric, who attended Langley High School. She graduated as a music major from James Madison University and is pursuing a singing career in NYC!
Barns of Wolf Trap Masterclass
Peggy Visits with Former Student
Peggy and current student Eleanor Campione attended a masterclass given by famous mezzo soprano, Jamie Barton, at the Barns of Wolf Trap last week.
Peggy Attends Former Student's Performance
Former student Madeleine Chalk, graduate of Langley High School, recently performed at Blues Alley in Georgetown with the Eric Felten Band.
Cynthia Hu Senior Recital at Peabody Conservatory
Cynthia Hu recently presented her absolutely stunning graduation voice recital at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore! She studied voice with Peggy for many years, during both her middle school and Langley High School years. She was an excellent student and never missed participating in a workshop, competition, or recital. She will continue
Cynthia Hu recently presented her absolutely stunning graduation voice recital at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore! She studied voice with Peggy for many years, during both her middle school and Langley High School years. She was an excellent student and never missed participating in a workshop, competition, or recital. She will continue her voice studies as a scholarship student at Northwestern University next year.