Soleil Laurel Canyon Singing Group Hits High Note with Residents

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The Soleil Singers, a group of talented active adults from the Canton community of Soleil Laurel Canyon, perform at venues all around Cherokee County.

CANTON, Ga. – From professional singers to those who have never performed before, Soleil Laurel Canyon’s Soleil Singers are making sweet music throughout Cherokee County.

The group, formed by Sandy Schnee, a former performer in New York City who has collaborated with artists such as Vic Damone, Dianne Carrol and Alan King began the group just more than a year ago.

“I initially invited people to my home that enjoyed singing,” said Schnee, also the community’s photo historian. “We met at my house once a month for the first six months, but we kept adding more and more people and eventually needed more space.”

Finding more space was no problem for the Soleil Singers, who now rehearse in Soleil’s expansive 28,000 square foot clubhouse, located on the 330 acre active adult masterplanned community.

Since its inception, the group has performed throughout Cherokee County at various nursing homes and senior centers often to the delight of its audience. Upcoming engagements include Thursday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Terrace at Riverstone and Dec. 16 at 3:45 at the Lodge at Bridgemill.

For members such as Ken Loftice, who joined the group with his wife, Connie, the group is a creative outlet, one of many available at the resort-inspired community located in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains.

“Connie and I delight in singing with the Soleil Singers,” said Loftice, who along with the group, recently performed at a senior center in Canton. “It is a learning experience for me. I have always loved to sing, but have never been trained in music before. Credit goes to the tremendously talented and dedicated leadership of our director and accompanist, Sandy Schnee and (pianist) Ralph Russell, respectively. The Soleil Singers is a fun group!”

For others like Dick Rubant, who regularly performed in his church’s choir over the years, the group is a way for him to reconnect with one of his passions.

“It’s been a sensational year,” said Rubant. “Sandy knows how to get the best out of people. We initially started a men’s group at Soleil, but when we saw what Sandy was doing we fully committed. To see us improve every week is amazing.”

Far from the traditional active adult community, Soleil Laurel Canyon includes activities and clubs for every lifestyle. With a clubhouse that is equipped with a full-time, on-site lifestyle director who helps coordinate the community’s more than 50 social clubs, there is always an activity that meets the needs of the residents.

Nestled in Soleil Laurel Canyon’s expansive property are walking trails, bocce ball courts, six lighted clay tennis courts, a greenhouse and horticulture center and an outdoor amphitheatre. Soleil Laurel Canyon’s 50 social clubs which are organized by the residents, include three cooking clubs, a singing group, a garden club, quilting society and many more.

About Soleil and ALC
Active Lifestyle Communities (ALC) is a partnership between Southeast Capital Companies (formerly Southeast Capital Partners) and Patrick Malloy Communities. The Company purchased Soleil Laurel Canton in an all-cash transaction with the plan to invest $28 million. Residents of the neighborhood’s 248 homes enjoy exceptional amenities including a 28,000 sq. ft. clubhouse with a heated indoor saline pool, billiards parlor, gourmet teaching kitchen, fitness center and aerobics studio, library, card rooms and an arts and crafts studio. A performing arts center, outdoor amphitheatre, outdoor lagoon-style pool, tennis courts, walking trails and greenhouse complete the resort-style environment. To learn more visit: http://www.SoleilLaurelCanyon.com.