Youth Chorus Alum Celebrates Five Years with May Festival Chorus
Music has always been a major part of Megan Lawson’s life, from singing in church choir as a young girl to participating in school choirs. Her talent did not go unnoticed by her directors who often awarded her with solos. When she was in ninth grade at Monroe Schools, Megan’s choir director recognized her potential and encouraged her to join the May Festival Youth Chorus to broaden her musical horizons.
Megan (nee Christman) Lawson spent her first season with the Youth Chorus as a freshman in high school, and the experience brought her closer to downtown Cincinnati’s incredible arts culture and breadth of opportunities. She went on to enroll at the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in tenth grade as a piano and voice major, lending her talent to the school’s many theatrical performances.
Megan fondly remembers appearing as Jellylorum in the SCPA production of Cats, and the intricate set that allowed performers to move as if on a gigantic jungle gym, “like a huge McDonald’s Playplace.” But, it was the school’s production of Fame at the Aronoff that would change Megan’s life forever – in a wonderful way.
Providing extra vocal power as a pit singer, Megan was charmed during rehearsals by a particularly handsome young string player named Alan. Their relationship blossomed, and after the two graduated from SCPA (pictured at left), they stayed together as she pursued her degree from Wright State University, and he from the University of Cincinnati. She went on to teach elementary music at West Clermont Schools. In a few years, Alan popped the question, and of course Megan said, “Yes.”
Megan and Alan were married on July 20, 2019, at the Mill Stream Golf Course in Winton Woods, incorporating their May Festival extended family in the event. Megan’s fellow May Festival Chorus veteran, Sam Stover, who just celebrated his 30th and final season with the Chorus, officiated the ceremony. The couple honeymooned at Disney World – “the best vacation ever” (pictured at right) – and just celebrated their first anniversary.
After about five years, Megan decided that teaching wasn’t her calling, but she felt confident leaving that profession because she knew she’d be able to continue her involvement in music through the May Festival. Alan and Megan are now both employed with Total Quality Logistics on the city’s eastside. While their day jobs may not be driven by music, they continue to contribute their talents to Cincinnati’s arts community. Alan has appeared with the Cincinnati Pops, and Megan is a member of the (adult) May Festival Chorus.
Learn more about the opportunities available through the May Festival Youth Chorus here.
Listen to some of Megan’s favorite choral works on the May Festival’s Spotify channel here.