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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2018

 
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Meet two of our newest additions to the Music Department, who beautifully complement the musical talents of the department's faculty and instructors.

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IMPORTANT INFO & DATES

 

Admissions:

 

Schedule 8th Grade Visit

 

September-November:

Fall Sports

 

November 9th, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th & 18th

Fall Musical: Bye Bye Birdie

 

November 21st - 25th

Thanksgiving Break

 

 

 

 

Lyric Soprano Dr. Elizabeth Ann Murphy is an active performer and voice instructor. She is a native of York County, Pennsylvania and studied voice with Margaret Moul Carli. She later studied voice with Klara Meyers while earning both undergraduate and master's degrees in classical voice performance at Temple University in Philadelphia. She has studied with international soprano Tamara Matthews and Baroque expert Dr. Frederick Urrey. Elizabeth is the winner of numerous awards and competitions, including scholarships from the Pottstown Symphony Orchestra and the Kennett Symphony Orchestra. Elizabeth has sung in master classes with artists such as Michele Crider, Joan Dornemann, Richard Miller, Thomas Grubb, and Marietta Simpson. She was employed for nine years as the soprano soloist and section leader at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. Some career highlights include concert engagements as soprano soloist for Mozart's Missa Brevis in Graz, Austria, Handel's Messiah at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village, CO, Handel's Foundling Anthem with the Rutgers University Choir and the Chilcott Requiem in Jarrettown, PA. Her stage roles have included Serafina in Il campanello, Antonia in Les Contes D'Hoffmann, the title role in Norma, the Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel, Zweite Dame in Die Zauberflöte, Ann Putnam in The Crucible, Nerina, in Haydn's Le Pescatrici, (a U.S. Premiere), the role of Mrs. McLean in Susannah, Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte and Maddalena in Andrea Chenier. January 20, 2015, Elizabeth performed the National Anthem at the inauguration for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf. Elizabeth has been Professor of Voice at Arcadia University in Glenside, PA since 2002 and in August 2011 was appointed Assistant Professor and Program Director. She received her DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) degree from Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Brunswick, NJ in May 2012. In addition to her Classical expertise, she is certified in CCM (Contemporary Commercial Music) with certificates from CCM programs: Shenandoah University, the LoVetri Institute, Bel Canto Can Belto, and BOCO Boston. She is at home teaching Classical, Musical Theater, Jazz, and Pop styles. Elizabeth resides in North Wales, PA and maintains a private voice studio.

 

Principal Harpist for the Pennsylvania Ballet, Mindy Cutcher is an in-demand professional soloist, teacher and recording artist in Philadelphia. Her most recent collaboration, Principally Harps! is a duo-harp ensemble formed with fellow harpist, Janet Witman. Symphonic engagements include the Baltimore and Delaware Symphonies, the St. Louis Symphony, and Philadelphia's Chamber Orchestra.

Taught by world renowned Alice Chalifoux at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Mindy Cutcher received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Harp Performance. While still a student, Ms. Cutcher had already gained national exposure when she made her network television debut on NBC's The Tonight Show.

Ms. Cutcher has earned a truly international reputation, performing and traveling outside the U.S. She has traveled regularly to Japan, where she fulfilled several three month engagements in Tokyo and Okinawa. In addition to time spent in the Orient, Ms. Cutcher has entertained world travelers onboard Cunard and Holland America cruise lines.

Ms. Cutcher resides near Philadelphia with her husband Steve, also an accomplished musician and her two children, Jeff and Jane.

 

A HISTORIC WEEKEND FOR GWYNEDD CREW!

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In the wee hours of Friday morning, Gwynedd Rowing hit the road and headed to Cambridge, MA for the renowned and highly-competitive Head of the Charles Regatta. A few highlights from the remarkable experience for Varsity members of the fledgling team:

 

  • During the Head of the Charles Coxswains Clinic, Gwynedd coxswains, Hayden Tyrrell and Maria Mastoris, Stern pair Mary Cirelli and Aileen Murray, and Coach Ernst met Yaz Farooq, a former National Team and Olympic coxswain.
  • Rev. James M. DiPerri of Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted parish celebrated mass and offered a special blessing for Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Crew. The Church congregation welcomed the young ladies with applause and well wishes for today's regatta race.
  • Sunday morning, the team surprised President Marbach by unveiling their boat, named in her honor. Coach Ernst and the team thought it only appropriate to name the Varsity 8 vessel in honor of our fearless leader. Thanks to the relentless efforts of Mrs. Marbach and her husband Marty, who first dreamed of launching a Gwynedd Mercy rowing program in 2002, the dream has today been realized, and is providing amazing opportunities for our Gwynedd Mercy ladies.
     

A special thank you to Coach Ernst, Dr. Derstine, Mrs. Fasano, and all of the parents, faculty, staff, and supporters who made this weekend possible for the team. We are MERCY PROUD. 

 
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STUDENTS AND STUDIES

Chloe Finore Sun '08 visited with art students today in the art room. Chloe spoke about portfolio development and the college admissions process for Moore College of Art Design.

 

Mrs. Sun also discussed the Saturday class and summer program that Moore offers. They provide three tuition discount scholarships to our art students for the fall and spring sessions. Chloe also spent time looking at student art work and doing portfolio review with them.

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MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION CLUB

 

Students and faculty are invited to take part in short morning meditations each Monday and Wednesday before school. Offered by the Mindfulness and Meditation club, and led by Mrs. Steiert and Mrs. Naucodie, these meditations provide an opportunity to step back, breathe, set intentions, de-stress, and otherwise prepare growing minds and bodies for the day ahead.

 

Over 100 students are members of the new Mindfulness and Meditation club offered at Gwynedd.  In addition to optional morning meditations, students participate in a variety of stress-relieving activities during 9th period throughout the year.  Student leaders Georgia Cattie and Maddie Haase have done an outstanding job planning activities for members.

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FALL MUSICAL

Gwynedd is proud to present Bye Bye Birdie; a high-energy, hilarious musical featuring an amazing cast!  Set in the 50's, a teen heartthrob, who is drafted, chooses an All-American girl for a very public farewell kiss.  The show features hit songs including "Put on a Happy Face", "One Last Kiss", "Kids!" and many more.

 

Come and share in the joy and laughter on November 9, 10, 16 & 17 at 7pm, and November 11 & 18 at 2pm. Tickets on sale now!

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TENNIS

Congratulations to the Varsity Tennis Team for their 2nd place, Silver Medal finish at the District 1 2A Tennis Team Tournament.

 

Pictured left to right:

Olivia Urie '19, Audrey Keen '20, Isabella Kellner '20, Tess Flanigan '20, Bella Bauman '20, Jordan White '21, Kelsey Van Thuyne '19, and Gianna Troilo '21
 

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Congratulations to Kelsey Van Thuyne '19 and Isabella Kellner '20 who competed in the District 1 2A Doubles Tournament at Legacy Tennis Club on Friday, October 19th.   

Well done, Kelsey and Isabella!

 

CROSS COUNTRY

Congratulations to GMAHS Cross Country Team for their 5th place overall finish at the AACA League Championship Race. The team now advances to District 1 2A Tournament on Friday, October 26 at Lehigh University.

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©2018 | Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School

P.O. Box 902, 1345 Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437

(215) 646–8815

gmahs.org