Mrs. Haldeman is the beloved chorus director here at the high school. She has accomplished many things in the time she has been at Manheim Township. This includes directing the spring musical, being the director of two vocal ensembles: Bella Voce and Troubadours and, most recently, getting chosen as employee of the month.

“Mrs. Haldeman has always been a positive influence in my life,” said sophomore Molly McCardell. “She will forever be a light on a dark day and will always be able to cheer you up when needed. She is so good at what she does, and is such an amazing woman to have as our choir director.”

Students say that Haldeman always makes an effort for learning music to be fun, and is always willing to help out the students in the choir, teaching them to be the best singers they can be.

“She has a great sense of humor that can make singing and learning music so much fun,” freshman Olivia Kilby said.

Those who have her also say that she ensures her room is a safe place where everybody is welcome.

“Mrs. Haldeman has created an environment that is extremely warm and welcoming. We always feel that we can be ourselves,” freshman Cienna Kamanda said.

Mrs. Haldeman is such a positive and encouraging teacher to all of her students, and she makes sure that every day is fun and filled with joy.

Q: What is your favorite part about being the director of the musical?

Mrs. Haldeman: I guess just seeing kids shine in a different way, especially kids that are doing something new. Like last year, we had a whole pile of kids who had never tap danced before, so seeing them be successful, and the crew, watching the crew come together and work, and do what needs to be done in order to get the job done. One of our stage managers last year was lying flat on her belly holding two hoses together to save the rain scene because there was some sort of mishap backstage, but it’s just cool to see everybody step up and work together.

Q: What is your favorite part about teaching at Manheim Township?

Mrs. Haldeman: I literally have the best job in the whole world. I legitimately love my job. Our kids in the music department are the best kids. My colleagues in the music department are the best, and our administrators are super supportive, and everybody’s parents are super supportive. It’s just a beautiful place to teach music, and I have the best job.

Q: What inspired you to be a chorus teacher?

Mrs. Haldeman: Being a music teacher was the only thing I ever wanted to do. I knew I wanted to be a music teacher since I was 9. I had a lot of really wonderful teachers who were great examples, and I feel like I tried to learn the best parts of all of them. I think choir is a really magical thing where we can create something that you can’t create in any other musical ensemble, and I think that makes it really special.

Q: What is something really special about each musical you’ve directed at the high school?

Mrs. Haldeman: I mean, in “Singin’ in the Rain,” I loved the rain. That was magical. The first time that happened, watching it rain and watching [senior] Tim [Cruz] dance around in it, was pretty magical. When we did “Mary Poppins” for the first time, when she flew, it was pretty magical. Watching the “Fame” set go up and the band be on it was pretty incredible. And “Beauty and the Beast,” you know, it was Disney Magic. There were fun things about all of them, and there were hard things about all of them.

Q: Do you have a dream show you would love for the high school to do someday?

Mrs. Haldeman: “42nd Street.” Some year, I want to do “42nd Street”.

Mrs. Haldeman contributes so much to this school, especially to the music department here. She works very hard to make sure that everything is at its very best.