ABSECON – The Holy Spirit High School community recently came together to celebrate Claire Collins on her retirement as longtime music teacher and musical director.
On July 21, alumni, students, staff and friends enjoyed an evening of hors d’oeuvres and trips down memory lane before some of Collins’ protégés took to the stage to display the talents influenced and developed by their beloved teacher. Some guests made donations in her honor to help support the high school’s Performing Arts and Music programs.
Amy Evans, who teaches World Language and is English Department chairwoman, helped organize the event. “The night was filled with gratitude, nostalgia and celebrations of Claire’s contributions to the performing arts and music programs.”
Collins began her teaching career at Holy Spirit High School in 1997 as the part-time music teacher, splitting her efforts between the school and Blessed Sacrament Parish, Margate (now part of Holy Trinity Parish). She soon took on the role of director for the high school musical program, helping to build it from the ground up. During her 27-year tenure at the school, she became a full-time music teacher, helping to expand the music program to include a part-time instrumental teacher and several classes in different musical instruments.
Collins’ impact has since reached beyond Holy Spirit’s walls. Many of her students have won prestigious awards in music and theater including the student-driven Cappies, the annual Esther Weil Student Music Competition (Ocean City Pops), and Teen Arts NJ. Many of her students took their music and acting talents to the collegiate level, earning acceptances to Berklee College of Music in Boston and The Juilliard School in New York City.
Andrew Clare, Class of 2005, performed in two musicals under Collins’ direction, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Les Misérables.”
“She showed me what it was to love her students and still be tough when she needed to,” Clare said of Collins’ mentorship, which continued over the years. After Clare graduated high school, Collins invited his college acapella group back to perform at the school’s Spirit of Music fundraiser for four consecutive years.
After earning his degree, Clare was asked to direct the high school’s student acapella group. “I was incredibly proud of my students, and I loved teaching them music – the same things that Mrs. Collins had done for decades,” he said.
Michael Bress is communications and marketing manager for the diocesan Office of Catholic Education.
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