H e a d li n e rs
Sharing Songs of the Season Meet 10-Year-Old Aaron Hollenback, a talented Phoenix Boys Choir member balancing school and song.
Photos courtesy of the Hollenback family Caroline Slade, Aaron’s Nana. “I quit my job and decided homeschool was what would hen you’re out and about this holbe best for him.” iday season and joyful music fills the air, you might just be hearing Caroline took a more active role in the education of Aaron and his sisters, freeing up the voice of 10-year-old Aaron Hollenback. A member of the Phoenix Boys Choir, Aaron their mom, Kera, to focus on her growing business. “Kera really supports them being will be performing holiday concerts across able to grow,” Caroline says. the Valley this year.
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Fortunately, a flexible school schedule means Aaron can easily fit in all the practice and preparation that goes into being a part of the esteemed choir that spreads good cheer. Aaron, who has always loved to sing, joined the choir thanks to encouragement from his Nana, who was familiar with the mentorship, leadership skills and brotherhood the choir provides. Auditioning right before the COVID pandemic made for a unique introduction to the choir but getting to know his peers and practicing online ultimately paid off. Aaron is featured in the beginning of “Million Dreams,” which the Phoenix Boys Choir performed and published on YouTube for Christmas 2020. This season, Aaron is part of the Town Choir. He sings in seven languages and participates in performances throughout the Valley and beyond. He recently completed an audition with the American Choral Directors Association and will spend five days in Pasadena, California in March 2024, culminating in a grand performance with youth from across the nation.
Aaron is now a fifth grader at ASU Prep Digital, and his grades have steadily improved since the move from his previous school. “Every semester since I started at ASU, I’ve gotten Principal’s List,” Aaron says proudly. “I’m like, yeah, I’m sticking with this.” The school gives him the opportunity to learn at his own pace and the flexibility to attend choir performances, but it also provides the chance to spend quality time with family. Last year, when the kids were studying natural resources in school, Caroline planned some special stops on a family trip to Las Vegas. They visited solar panels, the Hoover Dam, and some windmills, letting the kids see the resources in action. “That’s what not being tied to a brick-andmortar school gives us,” Caroline says. “We get to do a variety of things. I’m not just having them learn from a book.” Aaron agrees. “It’s experiences and memories.”
Aside from singing, Aaron has one other important experience planned for this holiday season. He and his family host an annual toy drive with generous friends and Next year, his calendar will be even busier, as family to support the local foster care syshe’ll begin traveling and singing internation- tem and Child Crisis Arizona, all in honor of ally, and his flexible online school schedule his two adoptive sisters. will become more beneficial than ever. “Child Crisis Arizona is a cause he’s been Up until second grade, Aaron attended pub- learning to support,” Caroline says. “They suplic school, but the setting wasn’t a great fit. ported his sisters and that’s a big deal to him.” “I was not enchanted with what I was seeing and the ways he was being held back,” says 6 | DECEMBER 2023 | EPIC KIDS
Aaron Hollenback with the Phoenix Boys Choir
To contribute to Aaron’s toy drive, contact kera.wacker@pra.com.
Aaron sings in seven languages and performs throughout the Valley.
In honor of his two adoptive sisters, Aaron and his family host an annual toy drive. EPICKIDSAZ.COM
