HOLT, MICHELE M. (MENARD)
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Michele M. Holt, DMA, on July 6, 2018, surrounded by loved ones. Michele developed a deep and lasting passion for music in all its forms at a very early age. For Michele, encouraging, nurturing, loving, and mentoring people was of the utmost importance and she accomplished that through music education. Although her accolades are numerous, it was her enthusiasm, determination and passion that made her both larger than life, and so very dear to so many.
Having recently retired, Michele was a professor and Coordinator of Music Education at her alma mater, University of Rhode Island. She was on the Graduate Choral Conducting and Music Education faculty at Gordon College and Executive Director of Massachusetts Music Educators Association. She also served as both the Eastern Division and National President for the American Choral Directors association. Michele's dedication to music, care for her students and colleagues, and her deep passion for the highest level of professional development for all music educators are hallmarks of her life.
As a member of the Apponaug Harbor Yacht Club, Michele loved sailing and spent her summers with Barry and friends enjoying the coastal waters of New England. All of us who have been touched by Michele will carry her memory in our hearts forever.
She is survived by her husband Barry, their 2 children: Melissa Reynolds and Mathew Holt, his wife Kelly, grandchildren Grace and Dylan Reynolds, her mother Anna Sunness and sisters Christy and Susan Menard.
A memorial service will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, 237 Garden Hills Drive, Cranston, RI 02920, on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Michele Holt Music Educators Scholarship: www.gofundme.com/5l5damw.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Providence Journal on Jul. 11, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Michele Holt

19 Entries

Janet Galvan

July 5, 2025

You are still missed so much. Sal and I talked about you when I was conducting the New England Music Festival again this spring!

Janet Galván

July 5, 2024

I still think of Michele so often. I mentioned her in my acceptance speech for the Helen kemp Award. We were in Providence and memories of working with Michele for the conference when she was president of ACDA east filled my heart. Still miss my friend.

Alec Caldwell

September 5, 2023

May God's Grace ..if it weren't for Michele, I know that I wouldn't be where I am today with such thankful success. "Smile, the air's good for your teeth!"

Pam Rodgers

July 6, 2021

Miss you Michele. You were one of the best.

Janet Galván

July 5, 2021

I still miss Michele. She had the most generous spirit and did so much for so many. She was one of my most supportive colleagues. I am so grateful that I was on her conference planning committee for ACDA Eastern. It allowed me to spend a lot of time with this incredible woman. Remembering you, Michele.

Janet Galvan

July 5, 2019

Remembering Michele today. I think if her and her kindness often. And her amazing sense of humor. She was missed at this years ACDA conference. Eastern division ACDA will not be the same without her. But she will be remembered. Sending love to her family. Thank you for sharing her with her choral colleagues. She touched so many of us. She made the world better with her presence.

Melissa Garner

July 30, 2018

I'm terribly sorry to hear of Dr Holt's passing. She was my choral director at Providence College and I learned a lot from her.

Pam Rodgers

July 29, 2018

Michele was perhaps the first fellow choral director to introduce me to the profession as a first year choral director back in 1978. We shared many many festivals together over the years with CMEA in CT, NEMFA for many many years, ACDA at both the Regional and National levels, often as roommates. When I managed the NEMFA Choir, I invited her to conduct one of the NEMFA festival choirs. Michele was a delight. Always a smile, always welcoming and affirming, always busy as all get out. It's hard to believe she's no longer with us. I am been blessed to have been counted among her professional friends. Although only a few years my senior, she was a mentor in so many ways. I will miss her smile, her music, her warmth, her energy and her friendship.

Lynn Morin

July 16, 2018

When I taught in New England, I had the pleasure of seeing Michele doing what she obviously loved. I had great regard for Michele. Especially enjoyed watching her direct high school groups - she had such a beautiful connection with the kids and unending energy. Condolences to her family and friends.

Janet Galvan

July 16, 2018

Michele was one of the greats in choral music. She was inspiring, hard-working, fun-loving, artistic, generous, and kind. She was one of the most supportive colleagues that I have known in this business, and I feel fortunate to have been her friend and colleague. I loved her and feel certain that she is organizing some sort of choral event in Heaven. She was selfless and loving. She accomplished so much and inspired so many. I just heard the news and am deeply saddened for this loss. I am a better person for having known her.

Karen Hamm

July 16, 2018

To the Holt family,
I was privileged to work with Michele at Stonington High School. Her musical talent and devotion to her students were mesmerizing.
Being in Michele's presence at school and socially was like being in a "whirl-wind " of activity. She was entertaining and always knew how to keep the fun moving. I'll never forget her coming out onto a dance floor and getting my husband to "fast-dance". We still talk about chaperoning a music trip to Philadelphia where her chorus blew away the competition. My life was made better by knowing Michele.

JOYCE BONOMO

July 15, 2018

So sorry to hear of Michele's passing. I worked with her at Stonington High School. She was an inspiration to all!

John and Monika Dreslin

July 12, 2018

As one of the many who loved Michele, we are greatly saddened by her passing. Most of our children were students of hers, and I (John) worked on a great many musical projects with her. She will be forever in our memories.

Gail Dandurand

July 12, 2018

Iam so sorry to hear of Michelle's passing. She was my music teacher at Stonington High School. She introduced me to my husband who she was in a band with and most recently assisted me in finding a music teacher in the school I am principal in. Michelle was a great person...there must be more music in heaven today. Rest my friend.

July 11, 2018

Barry, Mat and Melissa,

We are heartbroken over the loss of Michele.
We have been blessed to have known and loved her.

With sympathy,
Leslie and Bob Lawrence

July 11, 2018

Melissa,
We are truly sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family.
Your friends of PMS

Carol LaPorte Ionata

July 11, 2018

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Michele. I knew her many years ago - she always had a loving passion for music and a beautiful voice. She has touched many hearts along her life's journey. She will be sadly missed, but we all have great memories of her forever. My thoughts and prayers are with Barry and your family.

Diane Macamaux Judd

July 11, 2018

I have known Michele since grammar school

Hilary Apfelstadt

July 10, 2018

Michele was an inspiring spirit such a force for Music education and a wonderful person. I treasure our friendship through ACDA and send my sincere condolences to the family. She has left a powerful legacy.

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