Welcome from the Upscale Singers ! 

 

The Upscale Singers is a local singing group of 30 members who live in North Scottsdale, Carefree, Cave Creek and Phoenix, AZ.   Under the direction of Margaret Watson, the group presents live entertainment twice a year:  an annual Christmas concert; and then in April, a cabaret-styled dinner show, complete with costumes, choreography, and lively musical medleys. 

It’s a mixed-age group with singers from their 40s to their 70s.   The singers come from all parts of America and Europe, and include a banker, a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse, accountants, psychologists, teachers, pilots, business people and community volunteers.     


The group has a dual mission: To have fun while making great music, and then to pass on to the next generation their joy and musical wisdom.  The Upscale Singers do this in three different ways: 

  • They award music scholarships to local students in an annual competition.  This fall, over 40 students participated in the auditions, and ten junior and senior high students received over $3000.   The moneys go directly to the vocal music teacher of the winner’s choice.  (See Scholarship Profiles) 
  • They support the Arizona Magic of Music and Dance, a summer program for physically-challenged youth.  The Upscale Singers contributed $2000 this summer, allowing four campers to participate in a program that also involves high school volunteers as individual mentors and friends.
  • They perform regularly with the Upscale Kids, a group of young singers that makes every concert a multi-generational happening!    

The Upscale Singers is a 501(C)-3 non-profit organization.  Funds raised from ticket sales and the annual silent auction and raffle held in spring support operational costs and the youth scholarships. 

   

Margaret Watson - Director

Margaret Watson, director of the Upscale Singers, has evolved over her decades from a talented award-winning singer in her school days …  

 

She grew up in the Los Angeles area where she received her undergraduate degree in Music Education and her Masters of Vocal Arts degree from the University of Southern California …

 

to a touring professional singer …

 

For several years Margaret performed in the western states doing various musicals.  She also toured with the Gilbert and Sullivan repertory company “Opera A La Carte.”

 

to a music educator and community activist …

 

She lived in Sun Valley, Idaho, where she directed a community children’s choir and musical theater workshop and taught music in a local private school.

 

to a wife, mom, and still professional musician, teacher, and director of musical programs in Scottsdale, Arizona.  

 

Besides teaching in her private vocal and piano studio, Margaret directs the children’s theater and choir program at North Ridge Community Church … teaches and directs the show choir at Notre Dame Preparatory …   and directs both the Upscale Kids and

 

 The Upscale Singers         

 

 

 

PS  If you get a chance, ask her what her golfing index is!  Or how many tennis trophies she’s accumulated?!?