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Thursday, November 12, 2026
GLC Live at 20 Monroe | Grand Rapids, Michigan
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Join Girls Choral Academy for A Night in Emerald City, our 2026 Annual Benefit Gala and a celebration of 30 years of empowering girls through music, education, and performance.
Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked, this unforgettable evening will bring together music, community, storytelling, and celebration in support of the next generation of girls finding their voices.
Honoring Debra L. Perry
2026 Gala Honoree
Girls Choral Academy is proud to honor Debra L. Perry, an extraordinary music educator, musician, composer, mentor, and community leader whose impact has been felt throughout Grand Rapids and beyond. For more than 26 years, Debra has inspired generations of students through her work with Grand Rapids Public Schools while building an extraordinary career as a performer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and recording engineer.
As we celebrate 30 years of empowering girls through music, we are honored to recognize someone whose life's work reflects so many of the values at the heart of GCA: artistic excellence, education, mentorship, leadership, and a deep belief in the power of music to transform lives.
Join us as we celebrate Debra's remarkable legacy and the generations of musicians, students, and community members she has inspired.
Your Evening in Emerald City
Doors Open | 7:00 PM
Begin your journey with cocktails and special experiences before the gala celebration begins.
Gala Celebration | 7:30 PM
Follow the Yellow Brick Road into an unforgettable evening of music, celebration, and impact.
Live music and Broadway-inspired performances
A curated silent auction
Stories and performances celebrating 30 years of GCA
A special tribute to our 2026 Gala Honoree
Become Part of the Journey
Help make this milestone celebration possible while investing directly in the future of Girls Choral Academy.
Event sponsors play an important role in creating opportunities for girls through music, education, mentorship, and performance. Sponsorship opportunities offer meaningful recognition while demonstrating your organization's commitment to empowering the next generation.
A Journey 30 Years in the Making
A Night in Emerald City is more than a celebration of where we've been. It is an investment in where we're going. Every ticket purchased and every gift made helps ensure that more girls have the opportunity to find their voice.