Introducing Michelle Angeli

I grew up and still live in Gambrills, Maryland, just north-west of Annapolis. At a young age, I experienced the local history. Many school trips were to Annapolis and many other local historical places. So now it's exciting to be working in the Sylvia Gaither Garrison Library. I have had many interests since I was little. I'm an avid reader; I sing; and play the violin. Right now, I sing in my church choir and praise band, "Whatever". I've been singing most of my life, but I was also interested in dance for 13 years, even performing in the Nutcracker annually. Finally, I've always had an interest in History. My love for history started in the elementary school. My teachers and later my professors always taught history with so much enthusiasm that I wanted to learn more.

After graduating from South River High School in 2003, I continued my education at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), where I continued Music and History courses. I performed with the AACC Orchestra and the Choir. I did well academically with being on the Dean's list from 2004-2005 and became a Phi Theta Kappa member. With an Associates of Arts degree in general studies, I transferred to University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). At UMBC, I started to concentrate on a major and realized I was taking enough history courses to get a history degree. While I was there, I was lucky enough to get a chance to study abroad in Ireland for a year at University College Cork (UCC) from 2006-2007 where I learned the history of the Early Christians, Women in Irish Society, Marriage, Vikings and the Ancient Celts. I continued to sing and learn the fiddle there. I received an award as runner up in RAG Idol, a singing event at School, in 2006. When I came home, I took as many European and Asian History courses as I could. At UMBC, it was required to take United States History courses, so I took a wide range of classes from Native Americans, Early American, the Founding Fathers, Women in European and Colonial Societies, the History of the Paintings, Architecture, Places and People during the Renaissance of Italy and Northern Europe, Japanese History through Film, and Western Civilizations. Finally, I graduated from UMBC in December 2008 with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in History.

My history lessons did not end there. I've been able to travel to places I learned about in school and church. I went to Vienna, Salzburg, Prague and Budapest in 2006 with a Collegiate Laureate Music Delegation program. We learned about the Cathedrals, Opera theaters and music schools. In 2008, with the Ecumenical Church Choir (POP ETC), we went to Germany where we sang in the Cathedrals of Leipzeig, Halle, Dresden, Wittenburg, Munich and Franfurt. I had the opportunity to sing a solo over Bach's grave. Awesome musical history! I love when my two favorites, history and music go hand in hand. In January 2010, I went to Egypt with my parents and in May 2011 we went to Turkey. We plan to go to Peru in October 2011. I loved the travelling experience and learning the history of the places I visit. I plan to have many more of these experiences.

Pictured: Michelle Angeli