Christiane Newell of Raleigh, NC to Perform with the William Peace University Singers in a Fall Concert, Nov. 23, 2014

2014 Nov 10

William Peace University (http://www.peace.edu), a private four-year university located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, has announced the William Peace University Singers glee club will perform their fourth annual fall show on Sunday, November 23, 2014. With songs in genres ranging from sacred to secular, pop to Broadway, classical to Country, 40s to today, and acoustic to a cappella, this concert brings musical diversity to the audience, with some likening it to an old-time variety show. The performance is scheduled at 3:00 p.m. in the University's Kenan Hall. Tickets are available online for $5 for students/children and $10 general admission for everyone else.

Christiane Newell is a Wake Forest, NC native and a senior at William Peace University majoring in Communication with minors in both Psychology and Graphic Design. She is active on campus as a four-year veteran member of the William Peace University Singers where she is also a member of their PR and Ticket Sales Committee. Newell is Vice President for Vocal MasterPEACE, the University's a capella student vocal group, a writer and 2014-15 Advisory Board member and student representative for the University’s PEACE Bulletin (campus magazine), Assistant Editor and writer for the PEACE Times Online (student newspaper), and formerly an associate editor for The Prism (student poetry and creative writing book). In addition to her writing talents, Newell is active as a President’s Ambassador, a member of the WPU Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, Secretary of the Anthropology Club, the previous President of WPU’s business leadership society Phi Beta Lambda (2013), serves on the Peace And Community Together (PACT) student-led community service group, and is the Student Government Association Chief Administrative Officer. Newell completed an internship earlier this summer with the North Carolina Departtment of Agriculture for the NC State Fair and was hired there part-time this fall in orrder to continue her work. She recently was named the winner of the Boykins Pumpkin Fest Talent Contest (Fall 2013) and returned earlier this fall as an entertainer for the 2014 Festival.

Formed in 2011, the Singers are directed by Julie Ricciardi, Vice President for the Office of Engagement, with musical direction and accompaniment by B.F.A. faculty member Michael Santangelo, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Musical Theatre.

"We are grateful to the community for the support we receive throughout the year," said Ricciardi. "This concert is one way for us to give back to our friends and supporters through music. From first-responders, to local retirement centers and community events, we are always pleased when we can use our voices to inspire people."

"I am delighted to be part of the University's Bachelor of Fine Arts program as an assistant professor, but even more so to have been introduced to Peace through my accompaniment of the Singers for the past two years," said Santangelo. "It is incredibly rewarding to work with young voices that touch so many in our community. We hope everyone will come out and enjoy their show!"

The troupe's members represent a variety of majors and pre-professional programs. They perform throughout the state and the region, most notably for events such as the North Carolina Governor's Ball, Wake County First Responders Appreciation Breakfast, LGBT Center Awards Gala, Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Women's Luncheons, Heritage Calendar Gala, and more. They also often appear at retirement centers, churches, schools and for retail center openings.

The glee club members include: Deja Barber '16, Luis Beltran '16, Trea Brady '16, Micia Dove '17, Melvin Gray '16, Sharon Hackney '16, Patrick Harvey '18, Catherine Hewitt '18, Saquan Howard '17, Hannah Marks '17, Rebekah Meekins '17, Christiane Newell '15, Tarecka Payne '15, Erica Saraceno '15, Bobby Simcox '18, Ginny Taylor '15, Brigitte Tondeur '17, Rebecca Tshibambi '18, Joshua M. Walker '16, and Jay York '17.

For more information on registration, as well as details on purchasing tickets, visit www.peace.edu/events.

William Peace University Twitter: http://twitter.com/WPeaceU

William Peace University Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WPeaceU

William Peace University YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/WPeaceU

About William Peace University:

William Peace University is located in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina. It was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute, offering education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. Peace, an all-women's college, became a four-year baccalaureate college and graduated its first bachelor's students in August of 1996. Exclusively an all-women's institution for its first 152 years, Peace began offering coeducational evening courses through the William Peace School of Professional Studies in 2009. In 2011, Peace College transitioned to William Peace University and began admitting male students to its day program in fall 2012. Its mission is to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. On average, more than 97 percent of the university's graduates are placed in jobs or graduate school within one year of graduation. For more information, please visit http://www.peace.edu.