INDIANAPOLIS — Thousands of students have been inspired by Cynthia Hartshorn, longtime choral director at Arsenal Technical High School. Hartshorn has spent the last 42 years as a music educator for Indianapolis Public Schools, and she recently took her final bow before the retirement at the end of this school year.
Hartshorn — known to her students as “Mrs. H” — spent her first 12 years in education at John Marshall High School before transferring to her alma mater. Long before she began her work in education, she knew she was meant to share her love of music with others.
“When I was 11, my parents bought a piano,” said Hartshorn, “and I decided right then that I wanted to be a music teacher. I attended Tech, and when I was here I had a teacher by the name of Sandra Fanning and she really inspired me and validated my dream. I don’t think I ever wavered from wanting to be a music teacher since I was 11.”
In her first year as Tech choral director, Hartshorn started The Technicians, the school’s touring show choir. In their three decades of performing, The Technicians have become musical ambassadors for IPS in the community. She also leads the Techoir and directs the musical theatre productions at Tech. Hartshorn said it’s been rewarding to see the positive impact her work has had on students throughout the years.
“Some of the kids in my choirs, their whole lives have changed because of these groups,” Hartshorn said of the way music can inspire engagement in students. “Working with these kids every day and sharing their energy…feeling like you’re making a difference for them is a tremendous thing. The coolest thing is that I have a lot of students who have gone on to be music teachers — to share and pay it forward.”
Hartshorn’s dedication to her students shows in their joyous performances and their success after high school. Many of her former students have gone on to become professional performers, including Steven Taylor, who currently plays Mufasa in “The Lion King” on Broadway.
“Steven continues to be an important part of my life,” said Hartshorn. “He comes back to Tech and addresses the kids in a very inspiring fashion – really builds their confidence. It’s great to see my students give back.”
As an avid fan of The Beatles, Hartshorn is excited to celebrate her next step with a “When I’m Sixty-Four”-themed retirement party at the end of the year.
“It’s been a great run – an awesome production, 42 years long. It’s been wonderful, but I’m ready to bring the curtain down and see what the encore is going to be!”
Hartshorn put on her final ATHS faculty musical; she took the stage as Jan – one of the Pink Ladies – in “Grease” Friday night, April 8 in the Tech Auditorium. Every spring, Tech’s teachers and staff members take their talents to the stage for a fun performance of a popular musical. A great crowd cheered her — and her fellow faculty — as they hand jived their way across the stage.
