Heidi

My love for music has existed, well, ever since I can remember. When I was younger, I made music at least in part because it's what everyone around me did. I'm the youngest of four children, and my siblings all encouraged me, whether consciously or not, to make music an integral part of my life. Hymns in church and songs sung around the house made me want to embark on my own musical journey. So, I began by playing piano in early elementary school, although I'll be the first to admit it was not my strength. Soon I realized I would not be able to be in orchestra at EMHS (like each of my siblings, of course) by playing the piano. So, I quit piano (oh so willingly) so that I could play my brother's old cello. Still, my voice was my favorite instrument. It actually wasn't until I realized I could “sing” through my cello that it also became a passion of mine instead of just something I did to pass the time.

“I play music, that's what I do. When I sing I lose myself. There's nothing more I'd rather do.” -Rosie Thomas

So, choir after choir, I sang. In fifth grade I sang in Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir directed by Julia White. I began to comprehend to some extent the power music can have when I sang in Touring Choir with Jay Hartzler at Eastern Mennonite High School (1999-2000) and toured throughout the U.S. and also in Italy and Switzerland. I sang because I loved it. After I graduated from EMHS, I went on to Hesston College, where I sang in Bel Canto, directed by Jake Rittenhouse (2000-2002). It was at Hesston that I began to learn more about myself and my need to sing. When I graduated from Hesston and moved on to EMU, my love of making music was further developed in Chamber Singers with Ken Nafziger. What I realized when I began to sing with the women of Shekinah is that I need to sing.

There is something within me that cries out to make music. When words alone don't do a feeling justice, when peace remains somehow illusive, when the sky is deep blue or threateningly gray, when God is front and center or when He feels out of my periphery, there is always a song to sing.
So, I hope you enjoy our music. We sing because we love to. We sing because we need to. We sing because God calls us to.

“Praise bright blue skies and dark rain clouds. Lift happy voices upon the morning air. Murmur sweet words softly in the evening breeze.” -Maya Angelou