As a teacher at Milken, I've had the pleasure of seeing many students who went through my classes go on to bigger a better things. I suppose if you've been here as long as I have, the odds are pretty good! One particular student took a path very similar to my own high school/college journey. Rebecca Schatz ('05) was a student dedicated to music. She played the violin, she sang in my choirs and she performed in our musicals. When she entered my class for the first time as a 10th grader, I traumatized her by having her sing something by herself! Somehow she lived through that experience and was able to excel as a singer and performer.

As she neared graduation, she began looking at Indiana University, my alma mater, as a possible place for her undergraduate studies. I was really happy when she decided to go to IU. I knew from my own experience and from knowing Rebecca, that it would be a great fit for her. After her first semester as a General Studies student, Rebecca auditioned for and got into the Jacobs School of Music at IU. This is no easy feat, as Indiana's School of Music has been and continues to be one of the top music programs in the world. I was also pleased to know that she would be earning her Music Education degree through the school as her course of study. Yes, Rebecca was turning into a 'lil Shep!

Rebecca helped form and now leads HooShir, Indiana's premier Jewish A Cappella group. Although I didn't do anything quite like this when I was at IU, I did lead groups and productions while I was there.

The uncanniness continued.... She began studying voice with the wife of my voice professor when I was there. Then, she auditioned for and joined the famous Singing Hoosiers. This 120 person show choir (Think Glee x's 10!) performs songs that celebrate popular American music. So, anything Broadway, Pop or Jazz is fair game for repertoire. Of particular importance are two major Indiana composers, Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael. The Singing Hoosiers perform around the country and around the world. They've recorded several Grammy nominated and awarded CD's. They perform with orchestras and at major cultural events every year. I had the pleasure of being in this group when I was at IU, and I had the joy of hearing about all of Rebecca's experiences, too!

Rebecca is about to graduate from IU with her degree in Music Education. Last month, I had the pleasure of traveling back to Indiana to see her perform in her last Singing Hoosier concert. It was two and a half hours of wonderful music, great dancing and quintessential Singing Hoosiers. It was like I had never left! I had perhaps one of the greatest moments in my teaching career when I got to walk onto stage and participate in the long-standing tradition of singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic with all the current and former members of The Singing Hoosiers. When they asked that all Singing Hoosier alumni come to the stage, I walked up along with about 250 other audience members! The stage was filled with about 350 Singing Hoosiers past and present! I made my way up to the top row to stand with my Milken alumna and together we held hands and wailed away singing "Glory, Glory Hallelujah!" It was such a proud moment of my life to know that I had had such a profound impact on Rebecca, but to also know that she has been so instrumental in shaping me as a teacher, too.

After the concert, I was treated to an impromptu performance by most of HooShir, some of whom were in the concert with Rebecca and most of whom had come to see the concert. I had seen and heard this group from its inception and the progress they've made under Rebecca's direction has been astounding. Another proud moment! I'm glad to say that Rebecca isn't a 'lil Shep! She has followed a strangely similar path to mine, but she has excelled be being herself and forging her own paths. Now she continues on to the American Jewish University, where she will begin her graduate studies. She has gone from student to protege to colleague with me. I believe the saying is, "My children surpass me." This makes me happy. :)

Kelly Shepard, Department Chair of Performing Arts, Milken Community High SchoolSinging Hoosier - 1988-1992