Jan Denise Hardison, 67, passed away on July 15, 2020. While still in high school Jan was selected for All-County choruses, NYSSMA All-State chorus, and earned the distinguished honor of being one of only two high school singers from New York State selected for "America's Youth in Concert," which toured Europe immediately upon graduation. Jan attended the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont., where she majored in Music (Voice Performance). Jan went on to sing for close to 40 years in numerous choirs and opera companies, and was often employed as the paid Alto soloist/section leader. Notable among these were Western New York Opera Theatre, Lancaster Opera House, St. Barnabas Episcopal in Scottsdale, Arizona, First Congregational church of Tempe, Arizona, and St. Bartholomew's Episcopal near San Franciso, CA. Jan also taught voice for two years at Niagara University in the 1970's. She worked as the Box Office Manager or similar positions at various theatres around the country, including Studio Arena (Buffalo), Artpark (Lewiston), Geva Theatre (Rochester), Connecticut Opera (Hartford), and ASU (Tempe). She especially enjoyed her work in these places when it meant working with students or young adults, as it did at Artpark and ASU. In addition to music and theatre, Jan loved nature and animals, especially horses, dogs, cats, and birds. Jan was preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her mother, a brother, sister, nephews, aunt and many cousins. Memorial contributions in Jan's name may be made to the Heart of Niagara Animal Rescue, 3652 Ewings Road, Lockport, NY 14094. (Source: Arizona Republic)