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Welcome to the Choral Department!Hello! My name is Michelle Howisen and I am the Choral Director at Michigan City High School. This is my nineth year of teaching at Michigan City. Prior to joining the faculty at MCHS, I held the position of Choral Director at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois for 8 years. I earned my Master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College in 2010, and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education from DePauw University where I received the Leah Curnutt Prize in 2005 for Outstanding Student in Music Education.Under my direction my choirs have been asked to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City, EPCOT in Walt Disney World, and the Illinois Music Educators State Convention. Both the City Singers and Treble Chorale from Michighan City High School performed the World Premier of Johann DeMeij's Symphony #5 in 2018 under the direction of the composer. My choirs have received gold ratings at both the Illinois and Indiana Organizational Contests for the past 15 years and, my students have received gold ratings in both solos and small ensembles at the Illinois and Indiana District and State Solo and Ensemble Contests.
I have participated in various community theaters throughout northwest Indiana since I was seven years old. In 2006 I was nominated as the "Best Featured Actress" in a musical for my portrayal of Yonah in the Steven Schwartz musical "Children of Eden". I have also performed with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus for the 2006/2007 season, singing the solo Come Unto Him from Handel’s Messiah.
I am very excited about this school year and all of the vocal and performing opportunities it holds for our students. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Go Wolves!
