Harmony Celebration Chorus Awards 2018 Scholarship

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (June 2018) -- Sara Vaccaro from Ridgewood, New Jersey, is the 2018 recipient of the Renee Craig “Music in Motion” Scholarship, conferred by the Harmony Celebration Chorus. In the fall, she’ll start her Bachelor’s Degree at Syracuse University. According to Steven Bourque, Ridgewood High School Choir Director, who recommended Sara for the scholarship, Sara is hardworking, dedicated, talented and a serious performer. Mr. Bourque also said that Sara shows excellent potential and has demonstrated growing musicianship and a strong work ethic. He is confident that she will do very well in college.

Sara was a member of the Ridgewood High School choir program during all four years of her high school career. During her sophomore year, she encountered a unique scheduling conflict that only allowed her to fit the Chamber Choir, Ridgewood High School’s most advanced curricular ensemble, into her schedule. At first, she was not quite at the level necessary to be placed into this ensemble, but her teacher encouraged her to work hard on improving her sight-reading, and she did. She also worked hard to keep up with her peers, and proved to be a valuable asset to the ensemble. She has also been a member of the Ridgewood High School a cappella program for three years.

In addition to being a member of the choir program, Sara was also in several musical productions during her time at Ridgewood High School, including obtaining leading roles in “Hamlet” and “The Pajama Game”. She always approached her challenging roles with seriousness and dedication. Harmony Celebration Chorus is excited that Sara is pursuing the performing arts at the collegiate level and as a career, and we wish her the best of luck!

The $1,000 Music in Motion scholarship recognizes the lifetime contributions to the craft of barbershop and a cappella music made by Renee Craig -- the legendary director of New Jersey’s now-retired International Champion Ramapo Valley Chorus, a brilliant arranger and quartet champion with the Cracker Jills.

Harmony Celebration Chorus, based in Ridgewood, N.J., is an all-women’s a cappella ensemble that will be competing in the upcoming international competition in St. Louis, Missouri.

Funding for this scholarship was made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historical Affairs.