Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES • WINTER 2016 • sai-national.org 30 I J K N O P T U X Y Z On Friday, October 9, 2015, the Sigma eta Chapter at the Eastman School of Music initiated Ms. Kristin Chenoweth into Sigma Alpha Iota as a Distinguished Member. e ceremony took place during Eastman's Meliora Weekend and the Sigma eta Chapter's 90 th anniversary, and both alumnae and collegiate students were present at the event. Sigma eta president, Ms. Jennifer Lawrence, led the ritual and was assisted by the chapter. Ms. Chenoweth's numerous achievements span the realms of Broadway performance, film, and TV acting, as well as voiceover, solo con- certs, and charitable partnerships. Her Broadway credits include the premiere of Glinda in Wicked, her performance in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, for which Ms. Chenoweth won a Tony Award, and her portrayal of Lily Garland in the Roundabout eatre Company's On the Twenti- eth Century. Ms. Chenoweth's film and TV accomplish- ments include an Emmy Award for Best Sup- porting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on Pushing Daisies and her depiction of Angel Rhodes on Glee, for which she was nominated for two Emmy Awards and a People's Choice Award in the category of "Favorite TV Guest Star." Ms. Chenoweth also appeared as Annabeth Schott on e West Wing, Maleficent in the Disney Chan- nel's original movie Descendants, a poisonous frog named Gabi in Rio 2, and alongside Jennifer Lopez in e Boy Next Door. As a solo concert performer, Ms. Che- noweth has sung in esteemed venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, the Sidney Opera House, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera House. Notable highlights include her performance of classic Hollywood movie songs at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, her appearance at the Washington National Opera's 50th An- niversary Gala with Placido Domingo, and her performance in the Diva's on Donmar series at Sam Mendes' Donmar Warehouse. Finally, Ms. Chenoweth is a passionate advocate for helping those in need. In 2012, the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center (BA PAC) in her hometown was renamed the Kris- tin Chenoweth eatre at BA PAC. anks to Chenoweth's support, the BA PAC provides edu- cational outreach, offers performance opportuni- ties, and presents world-class productions and artists to the Broken Arrow community. In ad- dition, Ms. Chenoweth also supports the Kristin Chenoweth Art & Education Fund, e Red Cross, Broad- way Cares EFA, e Point Foundation, ASTEP, breast cancer awareness, adoption advocacy, and organizations supporting animal welfare. Ms. Chenoweth's talent and accomplishments made her a worthy candidate for Honorary Membership. As presented in the letter of invitation from SAI National President Dr. Leslie Odom Miller, dated August 1, 2015: "e sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota International Mu- sic Fraternity would be hon- ored if you would accept our offer for initiation as an Hon- orary Member upon your visit to the school. Formed to 'uphold the highest standards of music' and 'to further the development of music in America and throughout the world', SAI is an organization that promotes interaction among those who share a commitment to music. We are proud to include Renée Fleming, Leontyne Price, Joan Sutherland, Marni Nixon, and Dolly Parton in our list of Honorary Members. We would be proud to honor your achieve- ments while you are at Eastman as part of the Sigma Iota chapter's 90th Anniversary Celebra- tion. I was fortunate enough to attend Eastman as a graduate student and can affirm that at East- man, we are taught to not only focus on our cra, but we are also challenged to understand how to be successful musicians in a changing and chal- lenging environment. You are an inspiration and excellent role model to aspiring singers and mu- sicians, not only because you have excelled as a singer and performer, but because you constantly strive to reach new audiences through a variety of mediums." Please give Ms. Kristin Chenoweth a warm welcome to SAI! Chenoweth Initiated As An Honorary Member DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS FOR MORE INFORMATION about Kristin Chenoweth, visit officialkristinchenoweth.com Above, Chenoweth's latest album is a recording of her 2014 concert at the Kristin Chenoweth Theatre in the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center in her hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. officialkristinchenoweth.com photo

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