SINGER HELPS VALLEY STUDENTS GIVE OPERA A TRY.

Byline: DIANA PEYTON Community Columnist

Two Valley students hit a high note at the Marlborough School in November, singing with associate artist of the Los Angeles Opera Suzanna Guzman.

Maggie Gram, a Van Nuys resident, performed ``Sonata a Lagrimar'' by G.F. Handel with the singer in a master's level opera class.

``I'm definitely not aspiring to be a professional singer - I'm a choral singer - but when my teacher (Timothy Bruneau) asked for volunteers, I thought, How can I pass up a chance like this? She inspires you to be better, just by the way she sings with you,'' the high school senior said.

Stephanie Neely, also a senior, sang ``Dome Epais'' by Leo Delibes in a duet with the star. ``I'm an aspiring opera singer and I regularly attend the L.A. Opera, so I knew of Suzanna Guzman. It was wonderful singing with her, mostly because she is a real person. It was good to see a professional who has a real life. She brought her 8-year-old son. Someday I want to sing opera and have a family, too,'' she said.

The performance was given at a student assembly.

Canoga Park resident Sue McCoy is finding that her work touches very close to home this holiday season.

The manager of Bade Mortuary in Tujunga will help decorate the fifth annual Tree of Remembrance on Dec. 10, together with families who have lost loved ones.

``This year will be a little unique for me,'' she said, ``I lost my mother in April. I have spent all of my life (40 years) in this business, and you know when it comes to these things I'm just like everyone else.''

``Being with others for just an hour or so can make you feel that you are not alone, when you see them going through what you are feeling,'' McCoy said. ``On one hand it kind of opens up the wounds, but somehow it helps people get past that certain point - to be able to cope a little better.''

McCoy is a former president of the Canoga Park Chamber of Commerce.

Guests for the event will be provided with a clear tree ornament designed to contain a memento of the deceased person. After the holidays the decorations will be given to participants, or the ornaments may be stored by the mortuary and reused for future trees.

The 3 p.m. event will be held at 10177 Tujunga Canyon Blvd. and includes a time for sharing, refreshments and a brief devotional by a local clergy. To make a reservation, call [phone].

Readers of this column were introduced to Barbara Lombard of Simi Valley and her champion Shetland sheepdog, Turbo, a few months ago.

The pair were headed for Helsinki, Finland, to compete in the fifth annual World Dog Agility Championships.

As members of the USA Mini Team that included dogs and trainers from California, New Jersey and Washington state, the group won a Silver Medal, missing the gold medal won by Finland by just 0.24 second.

Doggone good job, Barbara and Turbo!

Eleven high school seniors in the Conejo Valley Chapter of the National Charity League have been honored at a Debutante Ball in the grand ballroom of the Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel in November.

Each of the young women dedicated six years to community service and cultural and social activities.

Award recipients and their parents include Emily Adamick, daughter of Bonnie and John Adamick; Jennifer Carlton, daughter of Cathy and Dana Carlton; Jaclyn Contos, daughter of John and Irene Contos; and Lindsay Fenton, daughter of Robert and Jan Fenton.

Other debutantes and their parents are Jennifer Geddes, daughter of Caroline and Robert Geddes; Rebecca Hill, daughter of Ronald and Cheryl Hill; Chandra Jacobs, daughter of John and Jody Jacobs; Ashley Millan, daughter of Scott and Debbie Millan; Heather Montgomery, daughter of Michael and Margo Montgomery; Erin Shuman, daughter of Charles and Deborah Shuman; and Allyson Trowbridge daughter of Allen and Ginger Trowbridge.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(ran in Bulldog edition only) Van Nuys resident Maggie Gram, a Marlborough School 12th-grader, sings with Suzanna Guzman, an associate artist of the Los Angeles Opera, during a performance at the school.