At Trinity Valley Community College, the music department’s choir is known for its vibrant energy and incredible talent. Among the fresh faces of the Cardinal Singers, is a voice with a story all its own: one of resilience, passion, and the enduring power of music.

For Sarah Simon, joining the Cardinal Singers wasn’t just about performing; it was about finding a place to belong again.

"I was unhappy with my choir," she recalled. "I needed more music in my life. Then I saw a little card about the choir opportunities through the Gold Card program, and I thought, 'God must have wanted me to see this. It was a sign.'"

A lifelong musician and choir member, Simon had spent years immersed in music. But after retiring for the fourth time, she craved a new challenge — something that would reignite her passion and allow her to keep learning.

Through TVCC’s Gold Card program, she was able to enroll in TVCC and in the Cardinal Singers choir group at discounted tuition rate.

“I don’t understand why more people aren’t taking advantage of this,” she exclaimed. “You are provided with so many opportunities at an incredible and affordable rate. It’s not about getting another degree. It’s about staying active, staying challenged, and finding joy in something you love."

Her journey wasn’t without hurdles. When Simon first joined the choir, her husband was battling cancer. In a show of solidarity, she shaved her head alongside him, walking into her first rehearsal bald and uncertain how she would be received by her much younger peers.

"They didn’t blink an eye," she said. "To them, I was just another singer joining the choir."

And what a singer she has become. Singing tenor among a sea of talented students, she is continually inspired by their skill and drive.

"I'm not the best singer," she said humbly, "but I've always been someone who helps keep others on key. Being surrounded by such talent, like my fellow tenor Chandler Andrews, pushes me to be better. With the Cardinal Singers, I’m part of something bigger than myself."

Soon, the joy of singing with the Cardinal Singers will carry her to an even bigger stage: Carnegie Hall. When news broke that the choir had been invited to perform there, Simon hoped she might be included—despite being the only Cardinal Singer enrolled through the mirrored course. The decision from TVCC administration was unanimous: a student is a student, and Simon deserved her place on that stage.

"I can't believe it," she said, beaming. "It’s a dream of a lifetime for anyone who sings."

Her journey to one of the world’s most iconic stages highlights what sets TVCC’s choir apart. Under the leadership of Dr. Kristen Huggins, Division Chair of Fine Arts and Kinesiology and Director of Choral Music, students train with university-level intensity, mastering complex works in multiple languages and styles.

“The training Dr. Huggins provides is incredible,” Simon said. “We’re learning challenging, beautiful pieces that stretch us as artists. And she doesn’t just see us as a group; she sees us as individuals. When it came time for uniforms, she made sure I had something that made me feel comfortable and confident. I didn’t feel like I had to blend in. I felt like me.”

Though chronic back pain sometimes limits her endurance, it hasn’t dimmed her spirit. Whether seated on a stool during performances or leaning on a fellow tenor for support, Sarah remains a vital part of the choir’s sound — and its heart.

If you see an opportunity, just go for it,” she shares. “If you love music, don’t wait to be a part of a Christmas choir that performs once a year. Find something that fills your soul all year long."

For Simon, TVCC didn’t just offer classes — it offered a lifeline back to her truest self. And when she steps onto the stage at Carnegie Hall next year, she’ll carry with her not just the songs she has learned, but a message she lives on every day: it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

The Senior Gold Card program is available to senior adults aged 60 and older who reside in Athens, Brownsboro, Chandler, Crandall, Cross Roads, Eustace, Frankston, Kaufman, Kemp, LaPoynor, Mabank, Malakoff, Murchison, Palestine, Scurry-Rosser, Terrell, or Trinidad. For a one-time fee of $10, participants receive a variety of benefits, including free admission to all TVCC athletic home games, as well as plays, concerts, art shows, guest lectures, and forums held on TVCC campuses. The Gold Card also grants library privileges (with some restrictions) and a 50% discount on tuition and fees for TVCC college credit courses, non-credit courses, and non-credit Learning for Living courses, based on space availability. For more information or to apply, interested individuals can contact TVCC’s ACE at 903-675-6212 or email conted@tvcc.edu.