Erie High School Choir Department
Welcome to the official website for the EHS Choir Department! Here you will find information regarding our choirs, calendar, auditions, and more. Click through the tabs above to find what you are looking for!
Mrs. Burd
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The 2020-21 school year will be Mrs. Burd's thirteenth year teaching in Colorado and second semester at Erie High School. Originally from Loveland, CO, she graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Theater. She then continued her education at Colorado State University, earning a Master's degree in Music Education and Conducting.
Before joining the staff at EHS, Mrs. Burd taught general music at Sacred Heart of Jesus School for two years and then choir and theater at Holy Family High School for ten years, where she also served as the Arts Director and Department Chair. Mrs. Burd has an extensive theater background and directed the Fall Play and Spring Musical every year at HFHS in addition to founding a youth summer theater camp. In 2016, she had the privilege of working with renowned theater professionals in London, England at the Globe Theater, where she attended a Continuing Education program called “Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance.” An active member of NAfME and ADCA, Mrs. Burd frequently attends state and regional conferences and professional development clinics. Mrs. Burd is also a Northern Site Governor for the Colorado All State Choir Board, a position she has held for the past four years. In her free time, she enjoys singing with semi-professional choirs in Northern Colorado and has been a member of Rocky Mountain Chamber Singers and a founding member of Noco Singers. She lives in Loveland with her wonderful husband, Simon, and their “children” (2 cats and a dog)! |
Ms. Pernas
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Cara Pernas is a New Jersey native who moved to Colorado to pursue her career in music education. She has been teaching vocal music for 10 years, along with piano, guitar, and various music appreciation classes. Cara received her graduate degree in music education from Montclair State University in New Jersey. At Erie High School, Cara is the director of the all boys choral ensemble, Briggs Street Baritones. She will also be teaching AP Music Theory this coming school year! Outside of teaching, Cara is a Reiki practitioner who enjoys yoga, meditation, and the mountains. Upon entering her second year here at Erie High School, Cara is overwhelmed with joy with the opportunity to continue to teach, grow, inspire, and also learn from all of her students!
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Mrs. Bird
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Mrs. Bird taught as the Erie High School Choir Director from 2011-2020. She now serves as the St. Vrain Valley School's Fine Arts Coordinator, supporting the art, theater, and music programs in the district. Originally from Arvada, CO, she has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music Education both from the University of Colorado, Boulder. In addition to the SVVSD Fine Arts Coordinator, she is a Music Assistant for the Colorado Children's Chorale.
An active member of NAfME, Chorus America, and ADCA, Mrs. Bird frequently attends state and regional conferences and professional development clinics. Mrs. Bird is also a Northern Site Governor and Social Media Chair for the Colorado All State Choir Board. She has had the privilege of working with renowned choral/orchestral directors John Alexander (Artistic Director Emeritus of the Pacific Chorale, Professor Emeritus at Cal State Fullerton) David Hayes (Director of Orchestral & Conducting Studies at Mannes School of Music, Music Director of New York Choral Society), Duain Wolfe (Director of Chicago Symphony Chorus, Conductor of Colorado Symphony Chorus), Debbie DeSantis (Artistic Director of the Colorado Children's Chorale), and Lucinda Carver (Professor and Vice-Dean at USC, Music Director of Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra), to name a few. Before joining the staff at EHS, Mrs. Bird was a substitute teacher in Jeffco and St. Vrain Valley school districts. Her past performances include the role of Rosalia in CU Opera's production of West Side Story, featured dancer in Candide (CU Opera), as well as appearances with Opera Colorado's production of Tosca and Central City Opera's production of The Ballad of Baby Doe. She has a wonderful husband, Brandon, daughter Jacquelyn, and a puppy named Biscuit! You may recognize Brandon as the voice of the Erie Tiger Network. |
Our Program
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Our quickly growing choir program includes six choirs that perform a variety of repertoire throughout the year. We collaborate with our band and orchestra students, our area middle and elementary schools, as well as the other high schools in our district frequently. Our students love to give back to our school and community by sharing their music and volunteering their time.
Program Highlights These are in addition to the wonderful opportunities through our district and opportunities for individual singers! Performance Invitations
National/International Invitationals & Festivals
Local Invitationals & Festivals
Composer/Conductor Clinics
Choral Commissions for EHS
* indicates an alumni of Erie HS |