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The Girls Choral Academy Studio Series:
Broadway and Beyond Summer Intensive

A One-Day Music Bootcamp for Girls

July 22, 2026 | Girls Choral Academy Headquarters​

New friends. New skills. New confidence.

Whether your child has years of performance experience or simply loves to sing around the house, Girls Choral Academy invites girls in grades 6-12 to spend a day discovering the joy of music, creativity, and performance in a fun, welcoming environment where every girl has the opportunity to discover her voice.


Throughout this interactive experience, participants will write songs, explore storytelling through lyrics, learn movement for the stage, build audition confidence, work with experienced teaching artists, and perform in a community showcase to end the day.

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In partnership with:

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Learn from Music Industry & Broadway Professionals

Participants will take part in an exclusive master class led by a cast member from the National Touring Production of The Great Gatsby, coming to Grand Rapids later this summer!

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They will learn professional performance techniques, build stage confidence, and gain insight into what it's like to perform in a Broadway national tour. It's a unique opportunity to be inspired by a working Broadway artist while discovering new skills and confidence on stage.

Create & Collaborate

Discover the art of songwriting through hands-on workshops in music composition and lyric writing. Participants will work together to transform ideas into original songs while exploring the power of storytelling through music.

Learn from the Pros

Build confidence with interactive sessions focused on stage presence, movement, and audition skills, then take part in an exclusive Broadway Master Class led by a cast member from the National Touring Production of The Great Gatsby.

Rehearse & Perform

Throughout the day, girls will rehearse with their peers, strengthen their performance skills, and prepare for an exciting community showcase where they'll share what they've learned with family and friends.

Build Confidence & Community

More than a music workshop, this experience is an opportunity to make new friends, express creativity, and discover the confidence that comes from finding your voice in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Meet Your Instructors

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Broadway Audition Masterclass 

Senzel Ahmady

Senzel Ahmady (Daisy Buchanan) is paralyzed with happiness to be bringing Daisy around the country for the first time! She most recently spent time outside of the country playing Daisy in the original Seoul production of The Great Gatsby. Other credits include Aladdin National Tour (Jasmine) and The Prince of Egypt at OFC Creations (Tzipporah). Endless love and gratitude to her family, friends, CGF, the Gatsby team and all the children of immigrants whose dreams know no limits. 

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Lyrics & Storytelling

Lauren Michelle Acoba

Lauren Michelle Acoba is a Los Angeles–based music teacher and songwriter. Her work has been featured as guest director for Community Vocals LA (a premiere community choir in LA), music directing the Season 2 finale of the viral vertical series Eavesdropping, and writing an original Christmas song for Joe Serafini (from “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”) She is the founder of a music and mindfulness studio in Santa Monica called “Berkeley Street Music,” where she teaches technical mastery and emotional expression as inseparable skills that enrich her students as artists to lead meaningful and musical lives. A recent participant in the Johnny Mercer Songwriting Project, her original musicals including “The Girl, the Ghost, the Piano, and the Moon” (workshopped in Hollywood in 2023) tell powerful feminist stories about how to heal. Across her teaching and writing, Lauren creates spaces where people discover presence, connection, and the joy of expressing a life worth remembering.

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Song Composition

Henry Koperski

Henry is a composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans stage, screen, and live performance. His music has appeared on Netflix, Showtime, PBS, and Audible, and he has performed on Broadway, at Carnegie Hall, and at venues worldwide; The New York Times once described him as “the connective tissue” of the NYC music/comedy scene. A frequent collaborator with Alan Cumming, Ari Shapiro, Matt Rogers, and Matteo Lane, he made his Broadway debut as music director for Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age at Studio 54 in 2024 and previously produced and hosted Downtown at the Kennedy Center Cabaret. In addition to piano, he performs and records on saxophone and accordion—his saxophone appears on Troye Sivan’s 2023 song “How To Stay With You”—and he has appeared on The Today Show, The Late Show with Seth Meyers, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Most importantly, he releases original music under the name Henki Skidu. Search Henki Skidu on any streaming service to listen to his album "Spring Water".

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Audition Masterclass Panelist

Vanessa A. Allen

Vanessa A. Allen has directed music for more than 30 musical productions at various theatres over the years, including Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Circle Theatre. Vanessa's credits include The Color Purple, Knight at Dawn, Once On This Island, and Black Bold and Beautiful. Her passion for music is evident. She absolutely loves people and creating music with them. She is grateful for the opportunities.

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Audition Masterclass Panelist

Lisa Knight

Lisa Knight has been performing since the young age of 4 and has always had a passion for music and performance. So her move into leading Girls Choral Academy, was a natural fit.

 

Beyond her business ventures, Lisa’s creative essence is evident, as she is an accomplished performer, playwright, and director, with a respected reputation that spans both local and national stages. Her artistic endeavors are matched only by her commitment to family as the proud mother of 11 adult children, grandmother to 13, and great-grandmother to 3. Lisa’s belief in the power of connection is at the heart of her philosophy.

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Movement & Music

Hannaniah Whitley

Hannaniah Whitley is a Chicago-based fitness and wellness professional who’s spent 15+ years believing that music and movement were never meant to stay in separate rooms. She’s built her career — and her passion project, House of Niah — around the idea that a beat can turn a room full of strangers into a community, and a body in motion can be its own kind of song. She works with young voices to explore how music lives not just in the throat, but in the whole body — in posture, breath, energy, and rhythm. Because when you teach a girl to move like she sings — freely, fearlessly, and in full voice — you’re not just building performers. You’re building confidence that lasts. For Hannaniah, it always comes back to the same idea: bring people together, make it joyful, and make it feel like home.

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Audition Masterclass Panelist

Trevor Straub

Trevor Lee Straub is a proud alumnus of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy; BFA 2014. On-stage credits include: Civic Theatre's The Rocky Horror Show (Dr. Frank-N-Furter), Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), Newsies (Race), Disney's The Little Mermaid (Scuttle), Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Lefou - Grand Award nominee), Circle Theatre's A Chorus Line (Gregory Garnder), STAGE-M's Mary Poppins (Bert). Professional credits: Camino Real (Kilroy) at Ansonia Theatre, One Thousand Words (Luke) Underscore Theatre. Production credits include: CATS with Civic Theatre (Ast. Director), Willy Wonka with STAGE-M (Co-Director), Moon Over Buffalo with STAGE-M (Ast. Director). Straub works professionally in film/print and is Founder/CEO of Michigan Drag Brunch.

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Audition Masterclass Panelist

Mary Kate Murnen

Mary Kate Murnen is thrilled to join this intensive as both a GCA staff member and a theater lover. Audiences may recognize her from recent roles such as Elsa Alternate in Frozen (Grand Rapids Civic Theater), Shelley in The Prom (Circle Theater), Grizabella in CATS (Grand Rapids Civic Theatre), Maleficent in Descendants The Musical (Grand Rapids Civic Theater), the Narrator for select performances in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Circle) and Hildy in On The Town (Circle Theatre). As Director of Development and Communications at Girls Choral Academy and a proud Grand Valley State University theatre alum, Mary Kate loves sharing the magic of storytelling with audiences of all ages.

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FAQs

What makes this different from other summer camps?

At Girls Choral Academy, we believe music is about more than learning notes and rhythms. It's about discovering confidence, creativity, and community! During this one-day experience, girls won't just rehearse songs. They'll write music, tell stories, explore movement, learn performance techniques, collaborate with new friends, and finish the day by sharing what they've created with family and friends. It's a day designed to inspire every participant to find her voice, both on stage and beyond.

Who Can Attend?

Girls in grades 6-12 and of all experience levels are welcome.
Whether your child dreams of Broadway, enjoys choir at school, or simply loves music, she'll find encouragement, creativity, and community at Girls Choral Academy.

Does my child need singing or performance experience?

Not at all! This event is designed for beginners and experienced performers alike. Our instructors create a supportive atmosphere where every participant can grow at her own pace.

What will my child do during the day?

Participants will enjoy a full day of interactive music experiences, including:

  • Songwriting and music composition

  • Lyric writing and storytelling

  • Movement and stage presence

  • Audition and interview techniques

  • A Broadway-inspired master class

  • Group rehearsals

  • A community performance for family and friends

Every activity is designed to help girls build confidence, creativity, and teamwork while having fun.

What should my child bring?

We recommend bringing:

  • A water bottle

  • Comfortable clothing suitable for movement

  • Comfortable shoes

  • A positive attitude and willingness to try something new!

All learning materials will be provided.

Can parents stay during the event?

To help participants build independence and fully engage with the day's activities, parents and guardians are welcome to drop off their child after check-in and return for the community performance at 5:30 PM.

Will my child perform by herself?

No one is required to perform solo. Throughout the day, participants will work together in groups and perform as an ensemble during the final showcase. Girls interested in solo opportunities will have the chance to participate in a supportive audition activity, but participation is completely optional.

I still have questions. Who can I contact?

We're happy to help! If you have additional questions about the Summer Music Experience, please contact Girls Choral Academy at info@girlschoralacademy.org and a member of our team will be glad to assist you.

Find Your Voice

Whether your child dreams of performing on Broadway or simply wants to become a more confident singer and performer, this master class offers an unforgettable opportunity to learn from prefessionals who have firsthand experience in the performing arts.

This Event Is Full - Thank You!


Registration for the Broadway & Beyond Summer Intensive has reached capacity! We're so grateful for the incredible response to our first Girls Choral Academy Studio Series event.


Don't miss what's next!

join our email list to hear about future workshops and special events, and explore fall enrollment to continue your child's musical journey with Girls Choral Academy.


✨ Explore Fall Enrollment


📩 Stay Connected


Register for
The Girls Choral Academy
Broadway and Beyond Summer Intensive

Please complete the information below. All information will be kept confidential and used only for event and program communications.


Event Date: Wednesday, July 22

Location: Girls Choral Academy Headquarters

Parent/Guardian Info
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Participant Info
Is your child...
A current Girls Choral Academy member
A former GCA member
New to Girls Choral Academy
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Liability & Medical Authorization

In the event of an emergency, I authorize Girls Choral Academy staff to obtain emergency medical treatment for my child if I cannot be reached immediately.

Emergency Contact

In the case you cannot be reached, please provide an emergency contact we can communicate with:

Pick-Up Authorization
Photo & Video Release

Throughout the event, Girls Choral Academy may photograph or record participants for use in promotional materials, publications, social media, fundraising, and marketing efforts. by signing up for our Summer Studio Intensive, you give permission for your child to be photographed and/or recorded during this event and understand these images may be used by Girls Choral Academy.

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