Cameron Sullenberger Overture Series honors beloved music educator

Shawndell Young can’t help but think about Cameron Sullenberger every day.

Young’s office was once where Sullenberger held court in the same position at McKinley STEAM Academy. The late Sullenberger, who served as the cofounder and musical director of Revival Theatre Company and senior director of worship, music and creative arts at Noelridge Christian Church, was a beloved voice instructor who left an indelible mark on Young, who is McKinley’s director of choral activities.

“Cameron and I go way back,” Young said. “When I was a sixth grader at McKinley STEAM Academy, which was then known as McKinley Middle School, I met him at a summer camp. He was such an excitable and joyful man. He came up to me and said, ‘You’re going to be a star. I can’t wait to have you at McKinley.’ He was the middle school choir director, same job, same school as me. He was amazing. He was not just a mentor. He was family.”

Sullenberger died in February 2023. Young and Alicia Monèe will perform in his honor Friday, Nov. 21, at CSPS Hall for the third annual Cameron Sullenberger Overture Series.

Young, 28, and Monèe, 36, will sing songs from a mix of genres.

“There will be some funk, some Broadway and songs from the Great American Songbook,” Young said. “You’ll experience theater favorites. Alicia and I will be performing together and separately.”

Young didn’t think twice when he was asked to perform at this year’s benefit concert.

“As soon as Brian (Glick) called me to do this, I jumped into action to honor a man who had such an impact on my life,” Young said. Glick is Revival Theatre Company’s executive and artistic Director. “I’ll be there to honor his legacy and share the joy. I look forward to collaborating with Alicia. I look forward to raising money for a good cause.”

The event supports RTC’s yearly programming and education classes and workshops.

“The Cameron Sullenberger Overture Concert and Gala is a cherished evening where artists, patrons and donors unite to celebrate RTC’s passion for musicals and theater,” Glick said. “It’s all in memory of our beloved cofounder Cameron. This fundraiser is a crucial source of funding for our annual programs, educational workshops and classes. The support from this event allows us to secure the finest local talent and artists from across the country, which is essential to our mission of producing top-tier musical theater in Cedar Rapids, one of the few professional theaters in the state. We are eagerly looking forward to attendees experiencing the exceptional performances of Alicia Monèe and Shawndell Young. They are two remarkable artists who trained under Cameron’s guidance.”

Monèe is counting the days until the event commences.

“This is all for a good cause and it’s for Cameron,” she said. “I loved Cameron. I’m overwhelmed with excitement. I can’t wait to do this with Shawndell. We both feel so strongly about Cameron. It’s so crazy since sometimes I forget that he’s not here. He had a personality that just lifted you. When he walked into the door, you knew he was there. He could sing those notes like nobody else, and he just brought great joy to everyone every day.

Monèe worked with Sullenberger on such RTC productions as Effie in “Dreamgirls” and Shug Avery in “The Color Purple.”

Monèe, who has two sons — Duronte Strong, 17, and Prezzi Strong, 6 — just left for New York for a callback to possibly play Effie for the Broadway production of “Dreamgirls.”

“I’m so excited about this,” Monèe said. “There’s no place like New York. There is this incredible sense of freedom in New York with art and theater.”

As much as Monèe, loves the Great White Way and New York City, the Chicago native is all about Cedar Rapids.

“It’s home here,” she said. “I am a proud Cedar Rapidian. It’s a great place to raise kids. My kids love it here.”

Monèe has an album on the horizon, “Yella and Babylove,” and she also recently announced that she is engaged.

“It’s such a great time for me,” she said. “My big dream is to be on Broadway. I’m so excited to see what happens next. I just wish Cameron was here so I could share all that’s happening with him. He was such a big part of the community in Cedar Rapids. He wasn’t from here but he realized how great it is here.”

Sullenberger, a music educator, pianist, singer and choral conductor, was from Texas and graduated from North Texas University.

“But Cameron loved Cedar Rapids,” Monèe said. “Just like me.”

Young has the same type of civic pride.

“It’s great here,” Young said. “I met my wife here, and we’re starting a family. We’re staying. I’ll continue to do what I do and I’ll keep Cameron’s legacy alive. It’s imperative for a teacher to carry on the work of another teacher. What I do is about seeing the potential of students and doing what I can to make them think. Cameron stimulated us through good teaching and with music that was from all over the world. The music was a mosaic. We experienced music from all over the world from a diverse perspective. That’s what it’s all about.“