Sharon Hackney of Durham, 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.

Sharon Hackney is a Durham, NC native and a senior at William Peace University. She is a veteran, four-year member of the glee club, where she is also Co-Manager. As a Simulation Game Design major and Communication minor, she has focused her studies in Visual Art. She is also currently the Secretary for, and a soprano member of, Vocal MasterPEACE, the University's a cappella student vocal group. Hackney recently had the opportunity to accompany Broadway star Carolann Sanita on guitar for their version of the Beatle's classic "Blackbird" during a Broadway Comes To Peace concert in October at WPU. Hackney is also a member of the Gaming, Anthropology, and Ebook clubs and participates in various volunteer opportunities provided by WPU, as well as on her own. She was cast in the spring V-Day Monologues for Eve Ensler's "And Then We Were Jumping" (2014), and again as the Bosnian Women Refugee's "[My Village]" (2015). In High School, she performed in several productions including pit vocals for "Beauty and The Beast," a dancer in "Prom the Musical," and multiple dance productions. As a member of the glee club since its inception, Hackney has performed as part of the Singer's Trio, in a Quartet, and as part of the former club's Sextet. She often accompanies those groups on her guitar.

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.