At the end of the 2024-25 school year, Hayes High School’s choir director Dara Gillis retired after 23 years of teaching. Her expertise can be seen in years of superior ratings, exquisite concert performances, and professional-looking musicals from Hayes.

Stepping into Gillis’ position is another greatly experienced choral director, Tracy Cinereski. Because she is a piano major and has previously taught at an elementary and middle school level, she is beyond qualified for the job.

Even with years of experience, starting in a new position is a daunting task for anyone.

“I have the benefit of stepping in behind Dr. Gillis, who has done a tremendous amount of work already that I don’t need to do,” Cinereski said.

“The students are so capable,” assistant choir director Abby Jenkins said.

Gillis left her students with astounding skill sets, making them ready to take on any challenges they may face in choir going forward. The students are so excited to work with a new director to further develop their skills and make new music together.

After having worked with Gillis for four years, Jenkins is learning to work with someone new.

“Co-teaching is kind of unusual and we’re really lucky to be able to do it,” she said.

The pair work well together and students can tell they put in a lot of effort for the betterment of the choirs.

Additionally, because most of the choirs at Hayes are auditioned, the passion for singing is already well established.

“When you have a room full of students who actively made a choice to be somewhere, that changes the entire attitude of the class,” Cinereski said.

The school’s show choir, Hayes Singers, consists of twenty of the most passionate singers the school has to offer. These students have to audition twice to make their way into the group. Hayes Singers has many unique traditions, some more than 50 years old, that members look forward to.

Entering her 7th year of choir, Hayes Singers president Violet Weber said that she was a little bit nervous some traditions may not continue with a new director.

“I have spent 75% of my years in choir with Dr. Gillis,” so she was wondering what would be different.

Traditions are an integral part of being a Hayes Singer, and none of them will be going away any time soon.

“I respect and honor the traditions we have… hopefully we can just add some new ones along the way as well,” Cinereski said.

In terms of changes to be made, though, Weber pointed out a shift towards more modern pieces as opposed to Dr. Gillis’ predominantly older repertoire. Generally, young singers connect better with contemporary pieces that speak to their own experience or struggles.

Overall, Cinereski aims to build on the excellence of choirs at Hayes, and with so many talented and passionate singers, the program is in good hands.

“When you’re passionate about something, it’s what you have to do,” Cinereski said.