Nmc Children's Choir

The Northwestern Michigan College Children's Choir (NMCCC) is a distinguished choral program based in the Greater Grand Traverse Area, focused on providing high-quality choral music performance opportunities for students from Kindergarten through grade nine. Established in the fall of 1990 by founders Mark and Barbara Puchala, the NMCCC began as a single choir consisting of forty-five students. Over the past three decades, the program has seen substantial growth, now encompassing six choirs with more than one hundred fifty young singers. The NMCCC's mission is to foster artistic excellence in expressive singing and to enrich the artistic lives of the children involved, as well as their families and the community at large. Throughout its history, the choir has achieved recognition for its award-winning performances at state, national, and international competitions. It has also been featured at various choral conferences and festivals, contributing to its reputation as a leading children's choir in the region. The choir's most experienced ensemble has had the privilege of performing alongside esteemed groups such as the American Boy Choir and the Michigan State University (MSU) Children's Choir. It has also collaborated with notable figures in the choral music world, including James Litton, former director of the American Boy Choir; Henry Leck, director of the Indianapolis Children's Choir; and Emily Ellsworth, director of the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus. In the fall of 2022, Stephanie Schall-Brazee took over the leadership of the NMCCC following the retirement of Jeffrey Cobb. The leadership team also includes directors Joanna Aldridge, Ashley Larimer-Kelly, and Jamie Moreland, as well as accompanists David Husser, Margie Hunter, and Julie Gaubatz. Together, they continue the legacy of the Puchalas, ensuring that the choir provides exceptional choral training and performance experiences. Now in its 34th season, the NMCCC remains committed to the artistic vision set forth by its founders. It continues to be a nurturing ground for young talent, with many of its graduates going on to sing at both amateur and professional levels. The choir emphasizes singing as a powerful and personal form of musical expression, aiming to instill a lifelong appreciation for music in its members and to offer them social, educational, and skill development opportunities.