On May 10, 2025, we hosted the 47th annual Pitzer/Weeks Vocal Competition at Tagney Jones Hall in the Seattle Opera House. We are grateful to the Seattle Opera, and especially Sara Litchfield, the Associate Director of Youth Learning Programs which includes Teen Vocal Studio, for partnering with us to provide the wonderful space for this year’s concert. Twelve local high school students competed for the chance to win one of three vocal coaching scholarships.
We were so impressed by this group of talented students! Congratulations to this year’s winner Autumn Helene Chociej who receives a $3,000 vocal training scholarship and to our two second place winners Kaitlyn Marie Callahan Naumowicz and Renda Naseem Tuffaha who each receive $1,500 scholarships!
By early March, we send application details to high school choir directors and private coaches in the Greater Seattle area, including the Seattle Opera’s Teen Vocal Studio. The event typically occurs in May of each year. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for this event, please send us a message using our contact form here.
2025 winner Autumn Chociej from Auburn High School with Kiwanis member and program lead Susan Bardsley2025 runner-up Renda Naseem Tuffaha from Holy Names High School2025 runner-up Kaitlyn Marie Callahan Naumowicz from Issaquah High School
History of this scholarship program:
Carl Pitzer was a Seattle School District teacher who taught for many years at Lincoln High School. He was also a University District Kiwanis member, a fine musician and generous man who mentored students throughout his years in many ways. One of the students he mentored was Norm Weeks.
Norm Weeks was also a University District Kiwanis member who taught music in the Seattle School District for 30 years, and was an internationally known teacher of the Kodaly method. Mr. Weeks had the same generous attitude as Mr. Pitzer when he met talented students who could not afford lessons, and he started the annual vocal competition in 1979 to honor his mentor and to help fund vocal coaching for talented young artists. Upon his death in 2010, the event was renamed Pitzer/Weeks in his honor.
One of the high school students Mr. Weeks mentored and provided with free piano lessons was University District Kiwanis member Susan Bardsley, who has been involved with the event since the 1990s, first as an event judge and later taking over for Mr. Weeks as event chair.
Upcoming Events
September 9: General Meeting 12:00 - 1:00 on Zoom. Guest Speaker Team Read
September 17: Board Meeting 1:30 - 2:30 on Zoom
September 21: Annual Retreat 10:30 - 12:00 Board and 12:00 - 1:30 AllMembers Lunch at Kim's
September 25: Healing Center 25th Annual Gala 6:30 pm at Tyee Yacht Club
October 11: Home Together Oktoberfest Family Dinner & Auction at St. Catherine's School 6:00 - 9:00 pm
October 14: General Meeting 12:00 - 1:00 on Zoom. Guest Speaker Elizabeth Gregory Home
October 15: Board Meeting 1:30 - 2:30 on Zoom
October 16: Operation Nightwatch Dinner 6:30-7:30 pm at Fisher Pavilion
October 18: University District Food Bank 30th Annual Auction Dinner 5:30 - 9:30 pm at St. Demetrios Hall
October 23: Immanuel Community Services Lunch 11:30 - 1:00 pm at Parkview Event Space
October 23: REST Gala 5:00 - 9:00 pm at Meydenbauer Center
November 8: We Heart Casey Gala 5:30 - 9:00 pm at Ballard Elks
November 12: General Meeting 12:00 - 1:00 on Zoom. **note this meeting moved to Wed* Guest Speaker The Genesis Project Seattle
November 15: Assistance League of Seattle Lunch Auction 11:00 - 1:00 at Sunset Club
Pitzer/Weeks Scholarship
2025 Scholarship Awards
On May 10, 2025, we hosted the 47th annual Pitzer/Weeks Vocal Competition at Tagney Jones Hall in the Seattle Opera House. We are grateful to the Seattle Opera, and especially Sara Litchfield, the Associate Director of Youth Learning Programs which includes Teen Vocal Studio, for partnering with us to provide the wonderful space for this year’s concert. Twelve local high school students competed for the chance to win one of three vocal coaching scholarships.
We were so impressed by this group of talented students! Congratulations to this year’s winner Autumn Helene Chociej who receives a $3,000 vocal training scholarship and to our two second place winners Kaitlyn Marie Callahan Naumowicz and Renda Naseem Tuffaha who each receive $1,500 scholarships!
By early March, we send application details to high school choir directors and private coaches in the Greater Seattle area, including the Seattle Opera’s Teen Vocal Studio. The event typically occurs in May of each year. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for this event, please send us a message using our contact form here.
History of this scholarship program:
Carl Pitzer was a Seattle School District teacher who taught for many years at Lincoln High School. He was also a University District Kiwanis member, a fine musician and generous man who mentored students throughout his years in many ways. One of the students he mentored was Norm Weeks.
Norm Weeks was also a University District Kiwanis member who taught music in the Seattle School District for 30 years, and was an internationally known teacher of the Kodaly method. Mr. Weeks had the same generous attitude as Mr. Pitzer when he met talented students who could not afford lessons, and he started the annual vocal competition in 1979 to honor his mentor and to help fund vocal coaching for talented young artists. Upon his death in 2010, the event was renamed Pitzer/Weeks in his honor.
One of the high school students Mr. Weeks mentored and provided with free piano lessons was University District Kiwanis member Susan Bardsley, who has been involved with the event since the 1990s, first as an event judge and later taking over for Mr. Weeks as event chair.
Upcoming Events