Opus Participants: Waukee CSD Celebrates Students and Staff
Dozens of Waukee CSD students will join talented vocalists from across the state in the Opus Honor Choir, and one of our staff members will play a key role in guiding them to success.
Selected as Director: Jennifer Ghelf
The Iowa Choral Directors Association (ICDA) selected South Middle School teacher Jennifer Ghelf to lead the 5th/6th-grade mixed honor choir. It’s one of four distinguished choirs featured at the event, alongside the 7th/8th-grade bass clef, 7th/8th-grade treble clef, and 9th-grade mixed choirs.
“The ICDA community selects Opus directors. I received the invitation to direct in February, which came as a slight surprise to me at first but I quickly accepted it.”
Ghelf says she’s directed other premier choirs for the ICDA and the Waukee 5th Grade Honor Choir, but none of them are the scale of the Opus Honor Choir. Her ensemble of 180 singers includes some of the most talented vocalists from across the state.
Experiencing Opus
“It’s not an easy experience for kids to put themselves through and there is a high possibility of not getting to participate. However, I see more students grow into leaders as they go through the process of being part of the performance,” she adds.
Ghelf’s duties as director include selecting music, finding an accompanist, assisting with audition selections, and leading rehearsals.
“I love connecting with people through music and the stories that music can tell. Fifth and sixth graders have such a fun energy and are ready to work hard to collaborate with other singers that they would not get to meet otherwise.” Ghelf shares.
In addition to working with some of her own students, Ghelf says she’s thrilled to have other familiar faces in her group.
“Another thing that stands out about this year’s event is that I am directing some young singers whose parents are current or previous coworkers,” Ghelf says.
Selected Students
The choir festival gets underway on November 21. That morning, Ghelf will lead the rehearsal and the students will perform the concert that afternoon. Below are all the students selected for this year’s Opus event.
Trailridge Opus Participants
Neil Bhattarai
Reid Bodine
Lola Brown
Brooks Giles
Brayden Griesel
Sarah Leon
Layne Ostrander
Kael Oswald
Rohan Paturi
Reese Taggart
Delaney Van Bruggen
Waukee Middle School Opus Participants
Athena Beaty
Brenna Cline
Ellie Crowe
Ethan Eddington
Mya Esbeck
Liliana Haaland
Adhya Jeelugula
Grace Kerndt
Hannah Martens
Beau Militello
Parker Nye
Mckinley Quam
Sofia Sheeler
DJ Simmons
Leyton Trudeau
Marshall Truong
Evie Walker
Prairieview Opus Participants
Colten Becker
Makenly Bertrand
Jaylee Cooper
Mario Garcia
Eli Irvin
EV Kipp
Miller Kolk
Sasha Lenis
Uliana Lenis
Srinika Makal
Hattie Nimmo
South Middle School Opus Participants
Jai Bhagwat
Marshall Cooney
Stella Deutmeyer
Lucas Fitch
Cora Goemaat
Natalie Hudson
Lydia Irvin
Kushi Joshi
Victoria Kernes
Brooklyn Kurowski
Ailey Mcnatt
Evan Merrill
Evalyn Moritz
Akshaya Mayakrishnan
Rajika Pradhan
Laney Opsal
Ritesh Satapathy
Timberline Opus Participants
Colin Boyd
Manaia Courtright
Jovie Davis
Layla Destigter
Blake Dreckman
Cami Folsom
Ellie Freese
Calvin Helling
Jonas Joubert
Brody Kalb
Gargi Kant
Lizz Kratky
Kiernen Lily-Stevens
Ryan Mabuce
Andolynn Mims
Carter Moritz
Kailyn Mueller
Hiran Palaparthy
Joel Peterson
Aubrey Rozycki
Daniel Sailee
Cyndi Slycord
Bentley Strack
Princess Vergeon
