The Progressive Women's Association has announced that Michelle Audia Palmer  will serve as the Keynote Speaker at the Women of Distinction Awards luncheon.  The luncheon will be held on Friday, Oct. 28 at noon at the Uptown Event Center in Clarksburg.

 

Those ladies being honored have all led successful careers but have incorporated many volunteer projects that have helped our community.  Palmer will speak about the difference it makes in a community to have these individuals volunteer efforts.

 

Palmer has built a successful career as a singer, musician, teacher, and advocate on her strong beliefs in working with children.  Ever since she started singing at Immaculate Conception Church at the age of 12 years old, she has dedicated her life to bringing beautiful music and music education to the people of West Virginia and abroad.

 

Michelle is currently on the Faculty of Pierpont Community and Technical College as the teacher of the PRIDE Academy.  She spent 17 years at St. Mary’s Grade School as the Artistic Director and music teacher having choreographed, produced, and directed 17 school plays in which every student in the school was cast.  She is a former music director at ICC and began directing the Children’s Choir at the age of 14.  She is the former music director of the Florence Chico Cann Children’s Choir and Show Choir that performed for numerous WVIH Festivals.

 

While attending Indiana University and West Virginia University, Michelle was cast in numerous roles in the opera productions of La Traviata, Faust, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Magic Flute. She has also acted in various community theater productions among her favorites are Hello Dolly, Music Man and Jekyll & Hide. 

         

Michelle is a former President of the Clarksburg League for Service, the West Virginia Choral Arts Foundation, and is currently on the Board of the Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library. 

 

Although there are many performance and teaching highlights in her career, Michelle gains the most joy and fulfillment from her family.  The mother of five children:  Christian (21), Nicholas (20), Nathaniel (20), Mary Claire (16) and Madeline (13), her role as wife, mother and daughter are most important to her heart.  She is married to Glen Palmer and the daughter of Michael and Betty (Castranova) Audia.  She shares in a rich Italian heritage and culture that has passed down food, faith, and family as the cornerstone of life. 

 

It is with great honor that Michelle is the keynote speaker for the Women of Distinction having received the award herself in 2017.

 

The luncheon is Open to the public but due to limited seating reservations must be made by calling 304 624 6881.

 

Stay healthy and enjoy the beautiful fall weather and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.