Shirley Lemon’s forty-six year teaching career began in West Branch, Michigan and continues at Grand Rapids Community College. At GRCC she serves as an adjunct, conducting the Concert Choir, College Choir and Madrigal Singers. The majority of her career was spent in the Grand Haven Area Public Schools. During her thirty-three tenure at GHAPS, her choirs earned superior ratings at all District and State Choral Festivals. The Grand Haven High School Choral Ensemble performed numerous times at the Michigan Music Conference and were chosen twenty-five times as one of the top ensembles in the state, enabling them to perform at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. The Chamber Choir was chosen three times as the Outstanding Choir in Michigan.
Ms. Lemon conducted the Michigan School Vocal Music Association’s 7-8-9 Honors Choir in 1989, High School SSAA Honors Choir in 2003 and the high school SATB Honors Choir in 2015. She served MSMVA in every office including President. She served as secretary to American Choral Directors Association of Michigan. Ms. Lemon has presented sessions at the MSMVA Summer Choral Directors Workshop, Michigan Music Conference, and ACDA Fall Conference. Ms. Lemon was selected by the Grand Haven Community for the Excellence in Service Award in 1990 and her MSVMA colleagues honored her as Vocal Music Teacher of the Year in 1995. The Michigan Music Educators Association honored her in 2014 with the Award of Merit. Ms. Lemon has served on the faculty at Hope College, Western Michigan University and Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College. At the university level she conducted choirs, taught secondary choral methods, and choral conducting. She has conducted the High School SSAA Choir and the International Choir at Blue Lake Fine Arts Music Camp where she currently serves as Department Chair of the Choir Program. She currently sings with the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus and serves as their President. Ms. Lemon serves as a mentor for many teachers and is in constant demand as a clinician throughout the state.
