About the Music Director
Shellie Bentz, a South Carolina native, received her Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of South Carolina in 2008. While studying at USC, Mrs. Bentz performed numerous recitals and operatic roles. In addition, she studied vocal pedagogy and piano performance, taught at St. Peter’s Catholic School, and conducted research on music development in infants and toddlers. Some of Mrs. Bentz’s musical accomplishments include singing the Alma Mater at the USC graduation; representing USC in the National ACDA Undergraduate Conducting Competition, the most prestigious conducting competition for undergraduate music education majors; and presenting her research project, Recognizing Musical Behaviors of Young Children, at the 2008 SCMEA Conference. Prior to coming to Charlottesville Catholic School, Mrs. Bentz taught chorus and piano at Busbee Creative Arts Academy in South Carolina. While there, Mrs. Bentz took her Women’s Choir to compete in state and national competitions and festivals. Now as the music director at Charlottesville Catholic School, she teaches general music to Pre-K through 8th grade, directs the Worship Choir for Mass, and directs the Competitive Treble Choir. She also has a music studio, where several CCS students take private voice and piano lessons. In addition to her work at CCS, Mrs. Bentz is an active member of the Virginia Music Educators Association, the American Choral Directors Association, the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, and the Gordan Institute of Music Learning.