Some Quotes about Ellen!

"I am who I am due in no small part to Ellen Bowen's influence in my life. She taught me much more than a love for music. Ellen taught me about excellence, instilling my work with passion, and daring to compete. She taught me about teamwork and friendship. Those lessons served me as a student, as an aide to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, as a lawyer, as a citizen, and as a person." (Heather King, Esq., Class of 1992)

“John Artis, who once served as South's principal, now lives in Ohio where he has taken a job with another school district. However, his wife and daughter, Sloane -- who will be a junior in September -- plan to stay in Grosse Pointe until she finishes high school. The reason? Bowen. The Ohio school ‘doesn't have the vocal program like South,’ said Julie Artis, Sloane's mother. ‘It's hard to beat anywhere. We believe with Ellen's guidance you can't beat this.’” (Detroit Free Press August 3, 1999)

“The Grosse Pointe South High School Vocal Music Program, under the direction of Mrs. Ellen Bowen, has earned a national reputation for excellence in the performing arts education.” (Grosse Pointe South Choir Booster’s Association, 2007)

“Today's high school students have many choices, some with negative consequences. The vocal music program at Grosse Pointe South offers students a positive and productive opportunity to interact with professional musicians, actors and dancers in a celebration of the performing arts. While not all of these students will elect to pursue the arts as their life's ambition, this program teaches them discipline, teamwork and time management skills that will prepare them for an exciting and productive career in their chosen field.” (Grosse Pointe South Choir Booster’s Association, 2007)

“Mrs. Bowen has taken students of all sizes and shapes and guided them into becoming talented performers. In addition, she has always found a way to include students with special disabilities and other special needs. What is paramount to the parents of these students are the rewards that come far away from the footlights of the stage. The skills that these children acquire in this program are carried with them well beyond high school. The poise, confidence, organizational and communication skills they learn and develop will serve them well for the rest of their lives.” (Grosse Pointe South Choir Booster’s Association, 2007)