Holly Steed, Founder and Artistic Director
For the past 10+ years Holly Steed, the Choir’s Director and Founder, has been intimately involved in choral conducting in Clark County. In 1999, immediately after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Choral Education from Utah State University, she moved to the Las Vegas valley. For over three years she worked as a choral director in the Clark County School District: first at Basic High School in Henderson, and finally at the Las Vegas Academy where she served as the head of the Choral/Vocal Department. In addition to full time teaching she also served as a choral director for her church, a private music instructor, and a guest adjudicator at many local and state events. She also sat on the executive board of Nevada ’s Chapter of Music Educator’s National Conference (MENC) for over two years. Since resigning from full time instruction she has dedicated her time to realizing her dream of the Clark County Children’s Choir.
The dream begins:
While teaching high school Holly had the opportunity to attend the American Choral Director’s Association Convention in Hawaii. While there she was privileged to attend performances of some the nation’s finest choirs. She watched the collegiate choirs in amazement for they were so refined and musical; the high school choirs impressed her with their mature sound and repertoire. However, it was not until the Sacramento Children’s Choir performed that she was moved in a way she will never forget. There was something powerful in those young musicians she has rarely felt with other choirs. It is from this experience, coupled with her experience with Cache Children’s Choir during her undergraduate work, that Holly has developed the dream and belief in the power of children’s voices.
Clark County is an ideal location for such a program to exist and thrive. Not only does it have over 300 public schools within a 45-minute radius, but private schools and home-schooled students abound. What better way to combine the strength of each of these types of students than through an all-encompassing community music ensemble?
The Clark County Children’s Choir is an amazing opportunity that brings talented youth of all backgrounds throughout Clark County together to develop musicianship and experience musical excellence in a creative, professional, and positive environment.