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GCA NEWS
Holiday Caroling Highlights: Spreading Cheer With GCA
Over the past two weeks, our Girls Choral Academy singers have been busy spreading holiday cheer throughout our community, and making memories along the way. Our first caroling stop brought us to Pridgeon & Clay, where our girls shared their voices with employees during a festive workplace gathering. The room was filled with warmth, joy, and music, and our singers rose to the moment with confidence and heart. We were deeply moved when the company’s leadership surprised GCA wi
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Behind The Scenes At The Grand Rapids Gold Game
Earlier this season, a group of Girls Choral Academy singers had the exciting opportunity to be part of a Grand Rapids Gold game: opening the evening with a performance of the National Anthem. Stepping onto the court, our singers delivered the Anthem with strong, confident voices, rising to the moment as the buzz of the arena filled the space around them. It was a proud, goosebump-worthy experience that showed our girls just how powerful their voices can be! But some of the b
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❄️ Storytelling Through Song: How GCA Development Director Mary Kate Murnen Channels Music and Leadership as Elsa
This holiday season, our Girls Choral Academy community has even more reason to celebrate: Mary Kate Murnen, our Director of Development & Communications, is lighting up the stage as Elsa (Alternate) in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of Frozen the Musical! We sat down with Mary Kate to talk about how her role as Elsa connects to her lifelong love of storytelling, music, and leadership, and how experiences like those at GCA shaped her journey as a confident performer.
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Join us at Advent Antiphons with Lisa Knight
Girls Choral Academy is thrilled to celebrate and spotlight our Executive Director, Lisa Knight, who has been invited to open this year’s O Antiphons Advent series with the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. Each year, the Sisters host a seven-night Advent experience filled with prayer, song, and contemplative reflection. This peaceful tradition runs December 17–23 from 6:00–6:45pm , and we are honored that our executive Director, Lisa Knight, was selected to lead the very fi
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GCA Performs at Salvation Army Red Kettle Kickoff
The Red Kettle Kickoff marked a joyful beginning to the holiday season. The Salvation Army Brass Band filled the air with festive favorites while the girls enjoyed pizza, donuts, and hot cocoa. As the opening act, the girls sang "The 12 Days of Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." At the end, one of the girls took the microphone and exclaimed, "That was so easy!" The awes and giggles from the crowd were truly heartwarming. After the ceremony, we went inside the A
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A Wonderful Evening at our 2025 Fall Benefit!
On Tuesday, November 11, Girls Choral Academy hosted its annual Giving Girls A Voice Benefit , and what a truly special evening it was! With an incredible turnout and an atmosphere filled with joy, gratitude, and community spirit, the night was a beautiful celebration of nearly 29 years of empowering young singers in West Michigan. We couldn’t have asked for a more meaningful way to honor our mission and the people who make it possible. Honoring Our Community We are deeply g
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Celebrating Our Executive Director, Lisa Knight: A 2025 “16 Over 60” Honoree
From the stage to City Hall, Lisa Knight leads with passion, creativity, and care, and we are thrilled to celebrate her recognition as a 2025 Senior Neighbors “16 Over 60” honoree!
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Steelcase Foundation is Investing in Girls, and Building Community Through Song
In 2023, Girls choral Academy was awarded a three-year, $90,000 grant from the Steelcase Foundation to support our neighborhood choirs...
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Stand With Us at Fund MI Arts & Culture Day
Together, we can protect Michigan’s arts and culture. Tomorrow, we’re joining voices at Fund MI Arts & Culture Day in Lansing to show that the arts matter. By attending, contacting your representatives, or offering financial support, you can help ensure the arts don’t just survive—but thrive.
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GCA Annual Spring Concert
GCA celebrated the end of the 2024/25 school year with our annual Spring Concert, "Girl Power," on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The girls...
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GCA at The Shelley Irwin Fun Run 2025
Girls Choral Academy was invited to open the first annual, Shelley Irwin Fun Run with the National Anthem at Millennium Park on Saturday,...
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GCA Performs In Circle Theatre Holiday Show
The Girls Choral Academy had the privilege of being invited back to the Holiday Soul Celebration, hosted by Circle Theatre on December...
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GCA Cookie Dough Fundraiser Update
For two weeks GCA staff and students sold cookie dough to raise funds for our annual excursion with the downtown choirs. Using virtual...
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Girls Choral Academy Holds Fall 2024 Concert at First United Methodist Church
The Girls Choral Academy held their annual Fall Concert on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at First United Methodist Church, featuring songs...
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Girls Choral Academy hosts their annual “Giving Girls a Voice” benefit
On November 12, 2024 at 6:00 pm , the halls of the Wege Ballroom on the grounds of the magnificent Aquinas College were filled with...
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Thoughts from Ms. Lisa:
The Harmonious Impact of Music on Child Development Music is more than just a source of entertainment; it plays a crucial role in various...
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GCA Popcorn Fundraiser Update
For four days GCA staff and students sold Double Good popcorn to raise funds for our annual excursion with the downtown choirs. Using...
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Girls Choral Academy performs at Play Soleil
The Girls Choral Academy had the honor of performing at the Playground GR's sold out event. Play Soleil: The Main Event October 3, 2024 -...
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GCA Internship Experiences
Bethlehem Shekanena's Internship experience
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GCA Internship Experiences
Abby Strand's internship experience
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