Home | Richard Nickerson Scholarship

2024 RNS Concert Performers

Aiden Day (2020)

Aiden Day, Windham High School Class of 2020, is excited to make his RNS Concert debut.
Day serves as a Cantor for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, singing for Masses,
Weddings, Morning Prayer, Evening Vespers, Eucharistic Adoration, and other holy occasions.
Day is a Cantor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, singing in the Cathedral Schola
Choirs and Cathedral Choir, for Holy Martyrs Church, and in his college campus ministry. He is
a Medical Biology major at Saint Joseph’s College with a concentration in Pre-Medical Science
in his Junior year, pursuing a Philosophy minor, and working as a Lab Assistant. Day also sings
in the Maine Music Society Chorale under the direction of Dr. Richard Nickerson. In his free
time, Aiden enjoys singing Gregorian Chant, reading, researching, snowboarding, and hiking.

Anna Giroux (2017)

Anna Giroux is an ICU RN at Maine Medical Center and a proud alumni of Windham Chamber Singers. She was most recently seen as a Silly Girl in Portland Player’s production of Beauty and the Beast. She wants to thank her family and friends for all of the love and support and hopes that everyone enjoys the show!

Cosmic

COSMIC, a four-piece musical constellation, features the talents of 2 Windham High School alumni. Bernie Tajonera (1990) and Talya Corsetti (1993). Talya, the voice at the forefront, owns an aesthetics business and works as a nurse at Maine Medical Center. Bernie, the band’s bassist, is an instructor at the Royal Academy. Cosmic plays throughout Southern Maine. You can also find their music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4pxRtFgbxdPoq47GieEACz

David Young (2017)

David Young is a 25 year-old Americana artist raised in Maine and currently based in Nashville, Tennessee.

Beginning in 2016, David formed and fronted his Maine-based band David Young & The Interstate Kings, releasing their first self-titled EP The Interstate Kings in early 2019. Following its release, many FM and college radio stations added the EP in rotation, and David Young & The Interstate Kings made multiple TV appearances.

In November of 2019, David set out to fulfill a lifelong dream of moving to Nashville to pursue his music career. Since his move, David has solidly established himself as active in multiple facets of the Nashville music scene, writing, recording and performing both as a solo artist and a musician, lending his talents on the guitar in bands such as Ridge Banks & The Wall of Sound. He has also joined as lead guitarist and vocalist with Savannah Jack, an established Nashville group fronted by Don Ellis Gatlin. David has traveled the world with Savannah Jack, headlining on luxury cruise ships.

On his own, David has garnered praise with multiple releases since moving to Nashville, beginning with the introspective single “Ocean" in 2020. In 2021 he released a collaboration with fellow Nashville artist Ashton Butler titled “Whiskey and Cocaine" and in 2022, released his first full all original album, Can-Am. Three singles were released ahead of the album: “Any Other Man”; “West to Denver”; and “The Ballad of Big Meanie”, a favorite in the Nashville songwriting scene. The album is doing very well on all major music platforms, with “The Ballad of Big Meanie” and “West to Denver” gathering over 15,000 streams each on Spotify alone in their first month of release. David released two official music videos on YouTube in support of the album, to much praise.

In December of 2022, David Young and The Interstate Kings recorded their second full-length album, which was released in 2023.

Eliza Watson

Eliza Watson w/ Jon Bolduc: Owner of my Heart from the Great American Trailer Park Musical
Eliza Ruth Watson is pleased to join so many talented friends in support of RNS. While not a graduate of Windham, she did sing with the Southern Maine Youth Chorale under Dr. Nick many moons ago and he was an incredible influence in her ongoing passion for music performance!

Ellie Joseph (2017)

Ellie Joseph is a 2021 Musical Theatre graduate from Marymount Manhattan College, currently teaching Vocal, Dance, and Theatre Arts at Biddeford High School! She graduated from WHS in 2017 as a 4 year member of the chamber singers, serving as the Assistant Conductor her senior year. In her free time, Ellie enjoys reading, while snuggled up with her 2 cats, practicing piano and guitar, and performing primarily at Karaoke!

Emma Chasse (2022)

Emma Chasse is a former member of the Windham Chamber Singers, and takes private vocal, dancing, and acting lessons. Now, Emma is a sophomore at the University of New England with a major in Dental Hygiene! You may have seen her perform as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, or Miss Honey in Matilda, at Schoolhouse Arts Center! Or, as Wednesday in Addams Family for the UNE Players, and Jovie in Elf the Musical at City Theater! Emma would like to thank her family, and her boyfriend for their constant support!

Georgia Noonan (2012)

Georgia Noonan was the 2012 recipient of the Richard Nickerson Scholarship. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Plymouth State University and a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University. Georgia graciously thanks you for supporting the arts and, most importantly, the beneficiaries of this scholarship for years to come.

Jazmin DeRice Miller (2006)

Jazmin DeRice, American Contralto, is a performing artist and teacher from Maine. Current projects include a residency at Colby College with librettist Arisa White and composer Jessica Jones on the “Post Pardon-the Opera” project. DeRice is an active member of the Amethyst Chamber Ensemble, Portland Rossini Club, and Maine chapter of NATS. She teaches voice privately at her home studio in Woolwich, and is an adjunct voice instructor at Bates College. She is also the lead vocalist for BobaFUNK and a lover of all creatures.”

Jean Thornton Horeth (2004)

Is a 2004 graduate. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. In 2015 she enlisted in the Army as a corrections officer at Fort Leavenworth and Camp Humphreys in South Korea. She enjoys traveling, but her favorite thing to do is spending time with her family which includes her husband James , daughter Phyllis and son Malcolm.

Jennifer Michaud (2000)

Jennifer Michaud is a 2000 graduate from Windham High School, former member of The Windham Chamber Singers (1998-2000), and 2000 recipient of the Richard Nickerson Scholarship. Jennifer is a 2004 graduate of McIntosh College, graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. She is a 2016 graduate from the University of Maine at Fort Kent with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a 2019 graduate from Purdue University with a Master’s Degree in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner. Jennifer is currently pursuing a post-Master’s certification for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a Doctorate Degree in Nursing.
She is currently living in Denmark, ME with her husband Steve. She works as a Family Nurse Practitioner and nursing professor. Since being a student at Windham High School, Jennifer has not done any professional or organized singing. She has however performed in many competitions, sang to benefit the Macy’s Shop for a Cause event and was invited to participate in the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, sang to raise money for Maine’s displaced veterans, and sings at an occasional wedding or community event.

Jon Bolduc

Jonny Bolduc is so excited to join RNS this year! He's a 2011 Windham grad who currently works as a seventh grade writing teacher at Oxford Hills Middle School. A huge thank you to everyone who is a part of this wonderful production!

Kevin MacKaye (2006)

In high school Kevin was a member of the Windham Chamber Singers for three years, serving as assistant conductor his senior year. He also performed in many one-act plays and musicals. Since graduating he has performed music all over New England with his former band The Running Gags. Recently he worked for the Washington DC area School of Rock franchise teaching guitar, bass, vocals, drums and keys. He currently resides in Windham with his wife Kimberly and son Elliot.

Libby McBride (2018)

Libby McBride (she/her) is a 2018 graduate from Windham High School and is a past recipient of the RNS scholarship. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 2022, where she sang in the University Chorus and studied psychology and education. After graduating, she moved across the bridge to San Francisco where she currently works at the University of California, San Francisco, working in psychology research with the Juvenile inJustice Behavioral Health lab. She also volunteers with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in her free time.

Rachel Scala (2011)

Rachel Scala is happy to be back on the WHS stage after a brief hiatus. Rachel is a 2011 graduate from WHS where she stretched her passion for music as far as it would go. She credits many of the RSU14 music teachers (both past and present) for giving her the space to grow and the guidance to pursue a lifelong career in music. She has enjoyed the journey from student to colleague with Dr. Nick, and hopes to continue learning from him always. Rachel holds degrees in music education and vocal performance as well as wrapping up her graduate work under the tutelage of Dr. Malinda Haslett. Enjoy tonight’s performance and thank you for your support of our future musicians!

Sophie Koutalakis (2023)

Sophie Koutalkis studies environmental science and sustainability at Shenandoah University. When not in class, she is a part of the SSAA Shenandoah chorus. You may have seen her on the Windham stage as Ali in Mamma Mia, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Anelle in Steel Magnolias, or performing with the Windham Chamber Singers.

Tori Leavitt (2023)

Tori Leavitt is a first year student at the University of Southern Maine, majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Honors and Linguistics. At USM she is a member of the Osher Bella Voce and the Huskapellas.

Jameson McBride (2013)

We are excited to welcome 2013 WHS graduate, Jameson McBride. A past recipient of the RNS scholarship, Jamie graduated from Columbia University in 2017, where he sang in the a cappella group, Uptown Vocal. Following graduation, he moved to Oakland, CA, where he sang in the grammy-awarded San Francisco Symphony Choir, the Bach Society, and was a staff baritone in the Grace Cathedral men's choir. In May of 2022, he earned his masters degree in Technology and Policy from M.I.T.. He’s currently living back in Maine, working as a utility analyst for the Maine Public Utilities Commission. He and his fiancée, Rachel, are thrilled to be singing with Dr. Nick in the Maine Music Society Chorus.

Concert Program

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

The Richard Nickerson Scholarship Fund was started in the spring of 1997 by parents of Windham Chamber Singers. The scholarship is awarded each year to a graduating senior who plans to pursue choral music as part of his or her college experience.

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Scholarship Criteria

Awarded to Graduating Senior
Amount: $1,000

Eligibility:

Must be currently involved in a Windham High School Choral program.
Must be planning to attend a 2 or 4 year college program with choral music as part of their course of studies or extra-curricular activities.

See WHS Student Services office for additional criteria, information and application.

Deadline: May 19, 2024 at 2pm

Applications due in Student Services Office

How to Apply

Click Here to Apply

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one or more graduating Windham High School student(s) fulfilling the following criteria:

The student must file a complete application with the Richard Nickerson Scholarship Committee. See button above to apply directly from this site.
The student must be currently involved in a Windham High School choral program.
The student must be planning to attend a two or four year college program with choral music as part of their course of studies or extra-curricular activities.
Once awarded, the recipient must complete a minimum of three college courses with a passing grade. The recipient must supply proof of course completion and proof of choral involvement in college to the Student Services office before payment of the scholarship.

A complete application will consist of:

300-500 Word Essay that describes the influence that music has had on your life and what role it will play in your future citing specific choral experiences.
A listing of academic music courses and credits as well as extra-curricular musical endeavors and achievements (both school and non-school, ex: music camp, WCS, pep band, musical theater, etc.)
Name of college/university attending and musical activity intended

The awarding of the Richard Nickerson Scholarship will be based on merit, not financial need. The RNS Selection Committee will use the attached rubric to evaluate the applications and determine the winner.

Completed applications must be submitted to:

WHS Student Services Office

No later than May 19, 2024 at 2 pm

Concert Performers

The Richard Nickerson Scholarship Concert is held on the first Saturday following New Year's Day each year. If you are an alumni of the choral program at Windham High School you are eligible to perform at this event. Contact the committee to volunteer.

Contact Us

Donations can be made at anytime to the scholarship fund.
Click on the donate button below. Thank you for your support.

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