Cony’s newest addition to the music department sets the stage for showcase debut
By Reid DeJongh 3/10/23
Laura Whitney is the newest addition to Cony’s music department and she is this year's Showcase Director for the legendary Chizzle Wizzle.
Mrs. Whitney loves to travel. She has spent a couple of summers traveling and backpacking around the world. Currently she is really into pottery classes and renovating her house with her husband.
Her awe in the power of music stretches back to her own high school experience. During Mrs. Whitney's senior year she was in the Maine All-State Choir.
“While rehearsing with that choir, I was really struck by the sheer sound of 240 voices singing together, and moved by the music we made. Realizing we were creating something bigger than the sum of our individual parts was really powerful to me. It's also the reason I decided to major in music," Mrs. Whitney said.
Mrs. Whitney attended University of Southern Maine and received a degree in vocal performance and music education. While attending USM, she sang in the USM Chamber Singers.
After college, Mrs. Whitney taught at Grey-New Gloucester High School as a choir teacher for 13 years. She then taught elementary choir for one year. When she came to Cony, she said that it was nice to be teaching experienced singers again.
“I'm really excited to be here at Cony! I'm having a great time learning the different parts of this job and life at Cony: HS Chorus, Mads, MS Chorus, music electives, Calloway, special events, Cony traditions, and of course...Chizzle Wizzle! I am really loving it,” said Mrs. Whitney.
This year, Mrs.Whitney is the Chizzle Wizzle Showcase Director. She says that she is enjoying being a director and that she has learned a lot about the Chizzle Wizzle history as well as the ins-and-outs of Chizzle Wizzle itself.
“I'm glad to be part of such an honored tradition," she said.
Her directorial debut will be on March 14 when the 132nd annual Chizzle Wizzle curtains are set to open.