Announcing the Rachel K. Hallenbeck Lightkeeper Fellowship

South Shore Children’s Chorus is thrilled to announce the launch of the Rachel K. Hallenbeck Lightkeeper Fellowship, a new two-year position designed to support early-career music educators with teaching experience, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

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Honoring Rachel’s Legacy

This Fellowship is named in memory of Rachel K. Hallenbeck, a beloved educator and SSCC teacher, and the mother of SSCC's Executive Artistic Director and Founder, Kirsten Oberoi. Rachel taught music in the Braintree Public Schools for 30 years and directed the youngest SSCC ensemble prior to her unexpected passing on May 3, 2019. Rachel embodied warmth, joy, and care in every classroom she entered. She believed that music was for everyone, and she had a gift for making each child feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Her time teaching music in the South Shore left a lasting mark on the community.

By creating the Lightkeeper Fellowship, we carry Rachel’s light forward by intentionally building a space where a new generation of educators can learn, grow, and share the joy of choral music with young people.

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About the Fellowship

The Lightkeeper Fellow is immersed in all aspects of SSCC’s work, from classroom teaching to program administration. During the two years, the Fellow:

• Teaches in multiple SSCC ensembles with mentorship from our Artistic and Administrative teams.
• Gains hands-on experience in nonprofit leadership and arts administration.
• Receives professional development support, including memberships in professional organizations and access to continuing education.
• Contributes to building community across our growing programs.

This position offers a unique bridge into sustainable, joyful careers in music education.

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Welcoming Our First Fellow: Sona Minasian

We are overjoyed to welcome Sona Minasian (he/they) as the inaugural Rachel K. Hallenbeck Lightkeeper Fellow.

Sona graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor’s in Music Education, concentrating in piano and voice. Their work includes a specialization in collaborative piano and Armenian folk music, and they are an accomplished singer, having performed with ensembles such as the Southern Tier Singers’ Collective (NY) and Boston’s Coro Allegro. Sona has served as Choral Director at Forest Home Chapel UMC, as interim Co-Director for Transpose: Ithaca Queer Singers Alliance, and was most recently appointed Music Director at Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church in Danvers, MA.

Through the Fellowship, Sona looks forward to growing as a teacher and conductor while returning to work with youth in an ensemble setting. Their artistry, leadership, and commitment to inclusive, joyful music-making reflect the very spirit of Rachel’s legacy, and we are thrilled to have them join the SSCC community.

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How You Can Support the Fellowship

The Lightkeeper Fellowship is more than a job. This position is SSCC's way of investing in the future of music education and in the hundreds of students who find joy and belonging at SSCC each year. Sustaining this position ensures that Rachel’s legacy continues through the training of future educators and the vibrant, barrier-free programs we provide to young people.

By becoming a monthly donor, you create lasting impact:

• $25/month supports professional development opportunities for the Lightkeeper Fellow.
• $50/month contributes directly to Fellowship compensation, ensuring we can provide sustainable support.
• $100/month helps us grow the Fellowship so that Rachel’s legacy continues for years to come.

Every gift matters — but monthly giving is the most powerful way to sustain this work.

Give here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/trkhlff

Please join us in welcoming Sona and in carrying Rachel’s legacy forward by supporting the Lightkeeper Fellowship today.

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