Kalia Page and Leisha Nissley were recognized for excellence in the performing arts at Bridgewater College.
Page was presented with the Nelson T. Huffman Award for Musical Excellence. Selected by the music faculty, this award is given to seniors who have excelled both musically and academically. The award honors the late Nelson T. Huffman, longtime professor and chair of the Department of Music. It includes a cash prize, and the winner’s name is engraved on a plaque that hangs in the Department of Music.
Page, a senior music major from Ruckersville, Va., is a member of several Bridgewater ensembles, including the Oratorio Choir, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Screamin’ Eagles marching band, pep band, Handbell Choir, Chorale choir, percussion ensemble, Concert Choir and Chordially Yours a cappella group. Page is principal percussionist for the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, percussion ensemble and pep band. She is also a drum captain for the Screamin’ Eagles and chapter president for the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME).
After graduation, she plans to teach high school band in Virginia.
For the second year in a row, Nissley, a junior music major from Mount Crawford, Va., received the Margie John Garst Music Scholarship for $1,000 for the 2022-23 academic year. The award is presented to music majors who plan on teaching or conducting music and whose studies place an emphasis on the organ and/or piano.
Nissley is a member of the College’s Flory Honors program, and she completed an honors project titled “The Ultimate Academic Planner,” for which she researched self-regulation techniques, benefits of a paper planner, surveyed the BC student population and compiled her research into a personalized academic planner for students at BC. She is a member of the Concert Choir, Chorale, treble choir, NAfME and the BC Commuter Engagement Club. She also accompanies the choirs and Symphonic Band on the piano.
After graduation, she plans to teach in the surrounding area and/or pursue a master’s degree in piano performance or music education.
Media Contact:Â
Logan BogertÂ
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lbogert@bridgewater.eduÂ
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