Aspiring Vocalist Katie Collins Wins HCC's Scholarship

Part of the 2014 graduating class at Pascack Valley High School, Katie's academic and musical achievements are impressive. She is a member of the International Thespian Society, the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and the National Honor Society. What's more, Katie was the 2012 winner of Chemagination, a state chemistry competition at Princeton University. She also won notice this year in the role of Yum-Yum in a production of Mikado produced by the Ridgewood Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company.


Katie plans a career in classic vocal performance, but she embraces many other styles of music. "I feel just as influenced by a 14th century madrigal as I do by a contemporary jazz piece," she wrote in her scholarship application. "Additionally, I feel myself very drawn to and influenced by the music of the world. Whether it is the strums of a Japanese floor harp or the clacking of castanets, the combination of music and culture opens my mind to a wealth of possibilities."


In her letter of recommendation, Pascack Valley High School Music Director Argine Safari expresses admiration for Katie's talent, hard work, consistency and determination. "For many students, their junior and senior years are extremely stressful as they take numerous standardized tests and work on their college applications," Safari writes. "Not only did Katie continue to do very well academically, but also seemed to manage the stress level with remarkable grace. Katie continued to be actively involved in every choir concert/show and theater event, becoming an integral part of every major event sponsored by our music and theater departments."


The Harmony Celebration scholarship committee was struck not only by the thoughtful maturity of Katie's application essays but also by the clarity of her soprano voice. 


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 the 2013 Midsize Chorus Champion for Region 15 of Sweet Adelines International. The all-women's a cappella ensemble is a Wildcard Competitor for the upcoming 2014 international competition in Baltimore, Maryland.

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.