Caption: Pictured in the background with the Chorale Kids are, at back left:

Natalie Huizinga; Back center: Jean Poppen, Back right: Jean Westveer

A Holland Chorale Profile: Choreographer Natalie Huizinga

The Chorale Kid's "Big Kid" Moves the Music.

The sounds of glee echo down the hall from the practice room at the Holland Area Arts Council.

It is the kind of joyful noise that could only come from the lively spirits of boys and girls ranging from the ages of six to twelve. These particular kids are part of the talented musical group known as the Holland Chorale Kids, the junior division of the area's Holland Chorale. While these kids don't perform quite as often as their older counterparts, when they do, they are clearly a crowd favorite.

While Gary Bogle and a number of Holland Chorale "pros" direct the kids in understanding the music and assist in costumes and logistics, there is one energetic individual who has been at the center of this kinetic storm since the 1992-1993 performance season. That brave soul is Natalie Huizinga and she is responsible for connecting the "movement" of the Chorale Kids to the music.

A dancer with a jazz and tap background, Natalie got involved with the Chorale through husband Bill's family business, Dance Today, where Natalie taught kids classes. When the the Chorale called, Natalie stepped into the role of choreographer, while also filling in as a dancer with the Chorale "Show Choir." As the size and talent level of the group grew, so did Natalie's responsibilities. Over the years, her work has also included assisting in the choreography for the "big kids" Chorale.

While a veteran of the Chorale, Natalie has also deftly choreographed the balance between work and family life with husband and State Representative Bill Huizinga and five active children, Garrett age 9, Adrian age 8, Alexandra age 6, Will age 4, and Sieger, 1. And yes, she has been reminded that there are almost enough kids around the Huizinga household to start a Kids Chorale of her own.

Asked what she considers her most memorable moment over the last 15 years of working with the Chorale Kids, she is hard pressed, because every year has its special kids and special moments. Losing a Chorale Kid, who has been with the troupe for years, is always hard, but "What makes me realize the value of the years I've put into the group is when "old" Chorale kids in High School and College come back and tell me they're still dancing."

According to Natalie, perhaps the most difficult job every year is auditioning candidates from the vast pool of talented kids here in west Michigan, and having to narrow the great number of candidates down to just two or three new kids that the Chorale Kids group can absorb each year .

The greatest reward that Natalie experiences is watching the "Kids" work on a piece until the music and the movement "sink in" and become one. "Watching their faces light up is one of the most rewarding experiences of this job. All the hard work and effort are really, in the end, so worthwhile."

According to Chorale Director Gary Bogle, “Singing and movement is what defines the Holland Chorale Kids. It is a true blessing for me to be able to work with someone as talented as Natalie Huizenga. She has served as the Chorale Kids “spark plug” choreographer for the past 7 seasons that I have worked with the Chorale Kids. The "Kids" are captivated by Natalie’s personality and her creative approach to dance. She truly gets the most out of a mix of boys and girls who, in the end, look so good on stage!”

As long as Natalie is there, inspiring new Chorale Kids each season to reach higher and grow into a deeper understanding of the arts, the Chorale Kids will remain a crowd favorite for years to come.

Backgrounder: More About the Holland Chorale:

Our Mission in Serving the Community.

The Holland Chorale is a seventy member volunteer choral organization entering its 48th season in late August. The group performs a great variety of choral literature. Major works of the choral tradition as well as lighter fare are part of the group's wide repertoire . The chorale has commissioned new choral works by such luminaries as Norman DelloJoio, Daniel Pinkham, Francis McBeth, and Rene Clausen and Stephen Paulus. This coming 48th Season, the Chorale will perform a world premiere commission of a work by Gwenneth Walker, one of today's top composer/arrangers.

Chorale members are citizens of the greater Holland area. And they come from walks of life other than music performance…educators, nurses, auto repairers, computer technicians, bakers, lawyers, students, ministers, home makers…to name just a few of the many careers represented by volunteer members. Weekly rehearsals from late August to early May make the Holland Chorale a well tuned and blended Choral machine. The Annual Tulip Time show is in rehearsal from the middle of March to early May.

For the past 29 years the Holland Chorale Community Outreach Program (formerly known as The March Festival) has sponsored, ensured funding, and performed for school children and community members. This yearlong celebration of the arts involves over 13,000 people each year. The Chorale is excited about plans for its 30th year of educational outreach.

For information, underwriting opportunities, 2007-2008 season tickets or an audition appointment contact the Holland Chorale at Box 1513, Holland, Michigan, 49422 or www.hollandchorale.org or 616 494 0256.