Author: operachk19

This Fall, I was privileged enough to attend two higher education enrollment conferences – the NACAC Conference in Houston, TX and the College Board Forum in Orlando. Being in those spaces, surrounded by colleagues in the College Admissions profession, inspired me to seek out additional professional development opportunities. I’m pleased to announce that I was selected to be a member of the third cohort for the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) Leads program. The SACAC Leads program is designed to develop informed, committed and qualified leaders for the organization and the broader profession. SACAC Leads prepares and motivates participants to provide intentional, dynamic leadership within the member states. There will be several virtual sessions over the course of the semester, and the program will culminate at the annual SACAC conference in April. I’m looking forward to getting more involved with my regional level NACAC chapter for Wake Forest, and further developing as a leader in college admissions!

It’s my pleasure to announce that on Saturday, December 18th, 2021, I graduated from James Madison University with my Doctorate in Voice: Performance, Pedagogy and Literature. In addition to successfully defending and publishing my doctoral dissertation, “Words, Music, Memory: An Exploration of Four Soprano Song Cycles by Lori Laitman on Poetry by Victims of the Holocaust,” I was also featured singing the National Anthem and the Alma Mater for the December Commencement Ceremony.

In January 2022, my family and I made the move to Winston-Salem, NC where I’ve recently started a new position at Wake Forest University in their Office of Admissions. As the Senior Associate Dean of Admissions with a focus on Operations I will manage the enrollment management system CRM Slate as well as serve as the Territory Manager for applicants from Florida. I’m looking forward to all these new adventures!

On December 5th, the Words, Music, Memory exhibit will be in residency at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University. The opening of the exhibit will coincide with the lecture recital “Words, Music, Memory: An Exploration of Four Soprano Song Cycles by Lori Laitman based on Poetry by Victims of the Holocaust.” The exhibit will conclude during James Madison University’s International Holocaust Remembrance programming as a part of a 2-day residency with composer Lori Laitman on Friday, January 28th.

To learn more about the genesis and evolution of the Words, Music, Memory project, check out Episode 23: Interview with Sheena Ramirez and Adina Langer of Conversations at the Cohen Center: A Podcast featuring Graduate Students and Faculty in Conversation.

It is my distinct pleasure to invite you to a free streaming event, “Words, Music, Memory: (Re)presenting Voices of the Holocaust,” where I will be performing a voice recital with the incredibly talented Dr. Jeanette Zyko (oboe/English horn) and Jeremiah Padilla (piano) for the opening of the Museum of History and Holocaust Education’s newest travelling exhibit.  I will be performing selections from four soprano song cycles by composer Lori Laitman.

“Words, Music, Memory: (Re)presenting Voices of the Holocaust”

This concert is the culmination of nearly two years of work with my fellow Oberlin alum, Adina Langer, and will prominently feature the work I’ll be presenting for my final DMA lecture recital at James Madison University (local friends – December 5th in the Recital Hall, more details soon!)