By Heather Collins
Anne Weidner, a Zionsville native, is in perfect harmony with Miami (Ohio) University’s all-female a cappella group, Miami Misfitz.
The organization was founded 15 years ago by Zionsville Community High School and Zionsville Middle School drama director, Mikayla Koharcik. Weidner has been a key part of helping forge the Misfitz into a premier musical group.
Weidner describes Misfitz as a driven and classy group of women who perform any genre of music for the purpose of bonding and giving back to the community through performances on and off campus.
The group competed in the 2017 International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCAs), made famous in the movie “Pitch Perfect,” and placed third. The group also released its second album, “Soul Revival,” in November 2017. The album has been nominated by the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, popularly known as the Grammys of a cappella, for “2018 Best Female Collegiate Album.”
After the release of the group’s first album, “Fitz,” in late 2016, Weidner was selected as a nominee by the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards for “2017 Best Collegiate All-Female Arrangement.”
Weidner served as music director in 2016 and 2017.
This year, Miami Misfitz has been nominated for seven campus awards, including Organization of the Year. Weidner was nominated for Student Organization Leader of the Year.
The group, consisting of 12 members, covers a variety of a genres, including punk rock, folk, R&B, country, soul and pop.
“There’s a certain level of sass,” Weidner said. “We’re definitely a spark when we walk into a room.”
Weidner first heard of the group in middle school. Koharcik, a ZMS drama director and language arts teacher, was a founding member more than 15 years ago. Koharcik directed Weidner in her seventh- and eighth-grade play.
Koharcik said Weidner is her first former student to be a part of the group and is the third member from Zionsville. Koharcik said Weidner’s arrangements are beautiful.
“I’m beyond proud of her and what she’s done for the group,” Koharcik said.
Weidner said she enjoyed leading the group as music director and connecting with all the women through music.
“I have been so blessed by my Miami experience and have been so blessed by the Misfitz,” Weidner said. “They’ve shaped who I am today. They’re an electric group of women with full hearts for each other and for music.”
She said the friendships she’s made through the Miami Misfitz will last a lifetime.
“I’ve never met a more diverse groups of girls,” she said.
After graduation, Weidner plans to move to Chicago and pursue a career with West Monroe Partners, a business management consulting firm. She said she also wants to perform at local jazz piano and a cappella bars.
Academically, Weidner is an honors student with a cumulative GPA of 4.0. She has been on the President’s List all seven semesters and will graduate in May with degrees in business, psychology and music.
Weidner, one of several family members who have attended Miami, was recently awarded the 2018 President Distinguished Service Award and the Senior Service Leadership Award for exceptional contributions and service to Miami University’s campus life.
To listen to the group’s latest album, “Soul Revival,” search Miami Misfitz on Spotify.
View a preview of the album here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUXXnIPOdbM
