2021 The Songbook Academy Program book | Online Summer Music Intensive

July 17-2 4, 2021

Virtual Public Events: July 18-23, 2021 Virtual Showcases: August 6-8, 2021

The Great American Songbook Foundation Michael Feinstein, Founder

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Welcome from Michael Feinstein

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Virtual Events Schedule Meet the Top 40 Finalists

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Get Involved: The Songbook Academy® Guest Mentors

19-21

Music Directors and Vocal Coaches

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Thank you to our Partners

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The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation Mentor Champions

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Songbook Donors

26-29

Board of Directors and Songbook Foundation Staff

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Center for the Performing Arts Staff and Program Credits

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ABOUT THE SONGBOOK ACADEMY® Now in its 12th year, the Songbook Academy ® is a national summer music intensive for young singers who have an interest in the music of classic Broadway shows, jazz and the American Songbook. Forty talented high school students are invited to participate in a life-changing week of learning alongside music industry pros, award-winning singers and performers, and educators from top university music and theater programs. In this week of mentoring that culminates with a dazzling final showcase of performances, students form lasting connections with peers, alumni and professional mentors as together they celebrate and reinterpret the timeless repertoire of the Great American Songbook.

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WELCOME FROM MICHAEL FEINSTEIN “For this is my moment, my destiny calls me, and tho’ it may be just once in my lifetime, I’m gonna do great things.” – “Once in a Lifetime” by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse Dear friends, What an honor it is to gather once again to hear the bright young voices of tomorrow sing the timeless standards of the Great American Songbook. The music and lyrics you will hear this week represent a body of work that is at the very foundation of our musical history and heritage. Whether written in the height of the Roaring ’20s or the post-war Big Band Era, the enduring standards of this great catalog of music continue to find resonance with new audiences, as their stories and melodies are reinterpreted by artists of every style and musical background.

I begin this week filled with fond memories of the excitement and joy I felt last year as I experienced our first-ever Songbook Academy Online. Even through Zoom, the students’ expressions of gratitude and acknowledgement of insight that they can apply to their art was moving. I look forward to seeing this fulfillment on the faces of our students this year, as they once again participate safely from their homes from every corner of the country.

While we might say it every year, the level of talent continues to grow. If this is your first experience with the Songbook Academy, I can promise you that the sheer talent of these students, along with the variety of stylistic approaches you will experience throughout the week, will create an eclectic musical experience that will leave you confident in the future of our Great American Songbook.

I want to thank our amazing staff, production team, musical directors, dedicated coaches, special guest artists and teachers, along with our generous sponsors and Mentor Champions, who have made this week possible. They have all transformed the lives of so many young artists, and I feel fortunate to have all of them collectively creating this gift to the arts.

To our students, this is your moment. Thank you for your extraordinary passion and commitment to your artistry. My advice to you this week? Jump in, open yourself to every opportunity, and enjoy the journey.

Welcome to Songbook Academy Online 2021!

Gratefully,

Michael Feinstein 3

VIRTUAL EVENTS SCHEDULE – JULY 18-23 We invite viewers from around the world to access a selection of workshops, talkbacks, and masterclasses throughout Songbook Academy week. Listed below, you will find one activity a day that will be available for livestreaming on the Songbook Foundation’s YouTube channel (@greatamericansongbookfoundation). A free, one-time registration will provide access to all of the week’s publicly accessible events. Register here.

Artist Spotlight – Vuyo Sotashe Sunday, July 18, at 5:00 pm EDT The new Songbook Academy 2021 Artist Spotlight series offers interactive talkback opportunities with professional artists from across the music industry who are currently reinterpreting the Songbook in new and exciting ways. Our first Artist Spotlight features Vuyo (Vuyolwethu) Sotashe, a New York-based vocalist, composer, and performer originally from South Africa. He has performed with celebrated jazz artists including Dee Dee Bridgewater, George Benson, Barry Harris, and Wynton Marsalis, to name a few.

Songbook 101 – Michael Feinstein, Songbook Foundation staff and special guests Monday, July 19, at 11:00 AM EDT Back for the second year by popular demand, this hour-long livestreamed Songbook special will feature Michael Feinstein; family members and connections of legendary Songbook artists including Billy Strayhorn, Harry Warren, Shirley Jones, Jack Cassidy, Louis Armstrong, Jerry Vale and Sammy Nestico; and Songbook Foundation staff members in an exploration of the history and continued relevance of the Great American Songbook.

Public Masterclass – Michael Feinstein and Broadway’s Telly Leung Tuesday, July 20, at 8:00 PM EDT Shifting to a new evening time, the ever-popular Songbook Academy Public Masterclass will be led

by Founder Michael Feinstein and Broadway star Telly Leung (Aladdin, Allegiance, Rent, Godspell, Wicked and TV’s Glee), who will be joining us all the way from Japan! Michael and Telly will hear five talented students sing live, offer their expert feedback, and host a Q&A for students and online viewers at the end of the session.

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Guest Lecture – Women in Musicals from Guys and Dolls to Wicked with Stacy Wolf Wednesday, July 21, at 12:00 PM EDT From Adelaide in Guys and Dolls to Elphaba in Wicked, female characters in Broadway musicals have belted and crooned their way into the American psyche. Princeton’s Stacy E. Wolf, one of America’s foremost scholars on musical theater and author of the popular A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical, will deliver a 40-minute lecture illuminating the women of American musical theater – performers, creators, and characters – from the start of the Cold War to the present day.

Artist Spotlight – Mandy Barnett Thursday, July 22, at 5:00 PM EDT In the second Artist Spotlight of the week, join students for an interactive talkback with Mandy Barnett – a renowned pop/country singer who has just made her debut into the Songbook genre! Mandy Barnett, a world-class vocalist and actress, has been called “a song’s best friend” for her interpretive skill and her devotion to classic country, R&B, and Songbook standards. Barnett recently released her eighth studio album, Every Star Above, recorded with a 60-piece orchestra in celebration of Billie Holiday’s Lady in Satin and arranged by legendary jazz maestro Sammy Nestico.

Guest Lecture – The Business of Being a Performer with Jonathan Flom Friday, July 23, at 12:00 PM EDT Join international theater educator and author of books including Act Like It's Your Business: Branding and Marketing Skills for Actors, Jonathan Flom, as he hosts an interactive session with students on how to start thinking about the business side of pursuing a career as a performing artist. The most recent past President of the Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance, Flom has directed, taught, and presented from the US to Norway to Taiwan, and his books are used as text resources for branding skills and audition technique all over the world.

VIRTUAL SHOWCASE SCHEDULE – AUGUST 6-8 Get ready for THREE jam-packed evenings of music with this year’s Songbook Academy Virtual Showcases hosted by founder, Michael Feinstein. Taking place the weekend of August 6-8, 2021 at 8:00pm EDT each night, these Virtual Showcases will feature forty of the most talented high school singers from across the country singing the Songbook in every tempo, setting, and style! Register to watch here.

• August 6 – The Best of Broadway and Hollywood: Featuring songs from beloved musicals and Hollywood films including Hello, Dolly!, Guys and Dolls, and Funny Girl, this selection of Songbook standards will take you on a journey from early 1920s Gershwin hits to Rodgers and Hammerstein classics from musicals like State Fair and The King and I. • August 7 – Songbook Hall of Fame Serenades – Featuring songs by Songbook Hall of Fame songwriters including Cole Porter, Jimmy Van Heusen, Duke Ellington, George and Ira Gershwin and even 2021 inductee Sammy Cahn, enjoy an evening of unforgettable melodies and standards made popular by honorees from Doris Day to Nat King Cole.

• August 8 – The Timeless Melodies of Jazz and Pop – Featuring hits that topped the Jazz and Pop charts including “Orange Colored Sky”, Miles Davis’ “Four,” and “Beyond the Sea,” to name a few, enjoy an evening of timeless standards ranging in style from bossa nova to swing.

Featured students, guests and showcase order are coming soon! Follow @songbookacademy on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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INTRODUCING THE 2021

ACADEMY

®

TOP 40 FINALISTS Forty talented high school students are invited to participate in a life-changing week of learning alongside music industry pros, award-winning singers and performers, and educators from top university music and theater programs.

Eve Begelman, 17 • Greenville, South Carolina | South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Future Plans: In the future, I would love to have a career in musical theater. I am striving to be a performer, but I would love to teach and mentor in my later years as well. I want to share my love of music and storytelling with others, and allow them to feel the same joy I do while singing.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

I had very limited knowledge on the Great American Songbook. After my experience in Songbook, I was so inspired by my peers and teachers and looked into this era of music much more. With each song I learn, I fall more and more in love with this era.

Mya Bodnick, 18 • Delray Beach, Florida | Oxbridge Academy Future Plans: I aspire to be a performer for my entire life (Broadway, film, TV, etc.). My dream is to originate a few roles in a new work musical on Broadway.

I am hungry for the challenge of being a part of a creative process that invites my originality and imagination. I will be entering my first year of college at Rider University and will be pursuing a BFA in musical theatre!

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

Natalie Cole is my favorite Songbook performer. Her music hits close to home as my grandfather’s favorite singer was Nat King Cole and he used to sing “Unforgettable” all the time. Her tone is incredibly soulful.

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Hannah Bonnette, 18 • New Orleans, Louisiana | Mount Carmel Academy Future Plans: My largest goal would be to become an icon and a household name. That is something I have always wanted for my future. I want to be a celebrity who does it all: songs, movies, Saturday Night Live, and Broadway shows. I will be attending Rider University and getting a BFA in Musical Theatre.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

I pretty much grew up with the American Songbook with composers such as Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Gershwin. In New Orleans at the National World War II Museum, they host a singing competition called Stage Door Idol in which contestants sing songs from the 1940’s. I got to be in the show in 2017 and 2018!

Madeleine Burnette-Caballero, 16 • Dothan, Alabama | Laurel Springs School Future Plans: Although I admire and respect many artists, I would like to find my own style, my own way of communicating through music. I believe that every artist is unique and different, and my only wish is to discover my uniqueness and share it.

When did you begin singing?

My grandfather was a simple man, with a big passion: music, and because of this, we had a bond that could be matched by no other. He was a true inspiration, and I only wish I had more time to share it with him. I began singing for him. One Christmas, I decided to sing him his favorite holiday song, Silent Night. This simple home video ignited a fire within me that I never dreamed I’d experience.

Charlie Castro, 18 • Miami, Florida | New World School of the Arts Future Plans: I would love to be an inspiration and advocate for others. It can be difficult to find someone who represents you or resonates with you, and it would be an honor to be that for someone someday. I have also always dreamed of conducting a full orchestra, perhaps playing an original musical theatre score or film score. I will be a freshman at Elon University majoring in musical theatre.

What do you love most about music and singing?

I can firmly say that nothing else has ever brought me more joy than music because of the tingly and sparkly feeling I experience as I step out on stage to sing or place my fingers on the keys of a piano. Music also helps me in times of personal crisis. I reach towards my headphones, lay flat on my bed, and breathe into the deep and elegant orchestration at the start of Madonna’s “Frozen.” Everything feels fine.

Natalie Chavez, 18 • Los Angeles, California | Van Nuys High School Future Plans: I would love to be in any role where I can teach others my passion, for example, a theater teacher or mentor. I will be a freshman at Glendale Community College to pursue a degree in theater arts and psychology.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

My favorite Songbook performer is most definitely Nat King Cole. Not only is he a musical genius, but we share the same first name! I also absolutely love his music and voice. He’s always lovely to listen to.

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Lily Cross, 18 • Zionsville, Indiana | Zionsville Community High School Future Plans: I hope to eventually go to law school & live in a big city. I aspire to keep music in my life whenever I can, & take music courses in college. I hope to have two big dogs & travel the world, especially Europe. I plan on attending University of Wisconsin-Madison & studying international affairs & Spanish.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

I had listened to artists from the Songbook era growing up, especially from the Golden Age of Broadway. Being a part of the Songbook Academy last year allowed me to listen to such talented performers and mentors and learn more about the era and all of the wonderful artists and composers.

Grace DeCroix, 16 • Middleton, Wisconsin | Middleton High School Future Plans: I am still trying to figure out where my path will lead me, but I know that I will keep music in my life. I want to be able to bring joy to the people around me, and I know that music is a wonderful way to do that.

When did you begin singing?

My first time that I sang before an audience was when I was five years old for a summer musical theater program. When I entered high school I was given the opportunity to be a vocalist with one of the jazz bands in our high school jazz program, and that was when I started in earnest to become familiar with and sing jazz standards.

Lydia Diekmann, 17 • Pittsford, New York | Pittsford Sutherland High School F uture Plans: I want to inspire people. I have struggled with mental health, as well as watched my close friends struggle. I have had moments where I struggle to keep moving toward my dreams. I want to be the person that somebody looks at and says, “She did it, so I will too.” In the fall, I am attending Rider University studying Musical Theatre.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

In terms of writers I think I’m going to go with Rodgers and Hammerstein because it’s so sentimental and brings me to my childhood days of listening to Songbook music.

Lauren Effertz, 16 • Los Angeles, California | Chaminade College Preparatory Future Plans: I hope to continue on to college to study voice, music, and drama.

My goal is to be able to perform professionally and make my living as an artist.

What do you love most about music and singing?

Music for me has always been a way to express my emotions and feelings while creating something beautiful at the same time. During this time of quarantine, I have been especially grateful to be able to turn to music as an outlet; listening to music, singing and playing guitar have all been a way for me to keep my mind and emotions on a creative and positive path.

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Ethan Flores, 18 • Los Angeles, California | La Cañada High School Future Plans: While I do not have a specific goal at the moment, I hope to obtain a clearer understanding as to what that goal may be through this summer intensive experience. I will be attending Pasadena City College and pursue a degree in Business Administration.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

Frank Sinatra is most definitely my favorite Songbook artist. Once I first discovered Sinatra in 9th grade four years ago, I was forever changed. I absolutely loved crooning along to “Summer Wind” or “Call Me Irresponsible” and was completely engrossed in searching for more songs that he sang.

Annie Flowers, 18 • Indianapolis, Indiana | Park Tudor High School Future Plans: I would love to become an international peacekeeper ― whether that’s concentrating on how music can bridge societal divides, focusing on tribal disputes, etc. I will be a freshman at American University in Washington, D.C., majoring in Communications, Legal Studies, and Government (CLEG) in the Politics, Policy and Law Scholars (PPL).

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

My current favorite Songbook performer is Chet Baker. His voice is so crisp and smooth – it instantly transports me to the inside of a smoky speakeasy. The mix between his trumpet playing and vocals in his music is seamless. He truly lives up to the title of “Prince of Cool.”

Vincent Gerardi, 18 • Hauppauge, New York | Hauppauge High School Future Plans: I seek to tell stories both as a performer and a writer that are impactful and explore what it means to be human. And I hope to do all this while being happy – we only have so much time alive so we might as well enjoy it! I will be a freshman in college pursing a BFA in English and Theatre at Princeton Univeristy.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

I was familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook. My music theatre background made me privy to the parts of the Songbook that also make up the Golden Age of Musical Theatre, while my study of the saxophone gave me a love for the jazz side of the Songbook.

Jonathan Grimes, 17 • Avon, Indiana | Avon High School Future Plans: My goal in life is to be a music teacher and choir director. Music educators like Angela Lee, Erin Slavens, Leah Trigg, Sarah Hassler, Ruth Dwyer, and Joshua Pedde as well as teachers like Caitlyn Spires have been major influences in my life.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

My favorite Songbook performer would have to be Ella Fitzgerald. I have early memories of listening to “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” with my grandmother. Last summer with Songbook Academy, Michael Feinstein shared with me a memory of him meeting Ella. Hearing firsthand how kind of a woman she was definitely made me even more of a fan.

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Lydia Herrera, 16 • Kennesaw, Georgia | Pebblebrook High School Future Plans: I plan on performing as much as possible, & if I make it to a place where I gain an audience of people who want to hear me, I want to use my platform to talk about human rights & promote positivity. I also want to teach & direct.

When did you start singing?

I’ve been singing my whole life kind of as a hobby. My parents are musicians as well, so they were also wary about my decision to pursue the arts. However, with the help of my dad being a composer, and my mom having studied voice when she was younger, I had all the materials I’ve needed to thrive in this area so far.

Edin Kebede, 16 • New Albany, Ohio | New Albany High School Future Plans: My greatest aspiration for the future is to become a singer/ songwriter and performer. I want to pursue a BFA in musical theater for college, and I’m also interested in going to Law School to become a lawyer.

What do you love most about singing?

What I love most about music and singing is how much it deeply connects us all. I feel that music is its own language that speaks to us all a little differently, but also similarly speaks to us by bringing people together in difficult times like these.

Jilayne Kistner, 15 • Zionsville, Indiana | Zionsville High School Future Plans: My greatest goal for the future is to be on a Broadway stage. I want to perform for a living, and going to school for musical theatre and singing and dancing for the rest of my life sounds like a dream.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

My favorite Songbook performer is Ella Fitzgerald because her style and arrangements are so incredibly creative, and every time a song of hers comes on, I can’t help but stop what I’m doing and listen to her soothing and beautiful voice.

Jason Koch, 18 • Portage, Michigan | Portage Northern High School Future Plans: One of my greatest goals has always been to collaborate with as many different people and their styles as possible. Whether it be working with a director and fellow cast members in a musical, or composing with other aspiring musicians ― I can’t wait to work with like-minded people. I will be attending the University of Michigan for a BFA in Musical Theatre.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

Frank Sinatra, because I’ve grown up listening to him since my dad played him for me.

His style and sound will never die, and if I have half the voice he ever had, I’ll be content.

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Nathan Koon, 18 • Carmel, Indiana | Carmel High School Future Plans: No matter what I end up doing, my ultimate goal is to bring people together and have them set aside their differences to work towards something. I intend to study Political Science after graduation.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

I was! I’ve always enjoyed watching different Golden Age musicals like Kiss Me Kate, Singing in the Rain, and Anchors Aweigh.

Ellie Lauter, 17 • Larkspur, California | Redwood High School Future Plans: I hope to someday be a working performer who will participate in projects that I am proud of. I know that so many artists in musical theater and music have inspired me and, through their art, have brightened my days during the most difficult times. So if I do turn out to be a performer, I really hope that I can be that for someone else too.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

One of my favorite musicals as a kid was The Wizard of Oz, and Judy Garland’s effortless voice always left me in awe and wanting to someday be able to sing like her.

Scarlett Licina, 17 • Oswego, Illinois | Oswego High School Future Plans: My main goal is to be able to inspire and impact others through music and education. I am planning on majoring in Music Education when I go to college, and I hope that I will be able to instill a passion and love for music into my students the same way my past teachers have. I also plan to pursue a career in musical performance, in particular musical theatre.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

Nina Simone is by far my number one. Being a female singer with a low voice, I felt as though I had to completely change my range to be considered a “good” singer and fit the perfect soprano mold. Not only did she teach me that low voices are unique and beautiful, but she has constantly inspired me with her music.

Maggie MacKenzie, 18 • La Cañada Flintridge, California | La Cañada High School Future Plans: My greatest goal in the future is to create music and art that is genuine and honest, that really speaks to people. I hope to spend time performing within the realm of musical theater, as well as commercial music. I will be a freshman at Berklee College of Music, and plan on majoring in Vocal Performance.

Are you involved with extracurricular activities?

This year, I was glad to be a member of our principal's advising board for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We worked on ways to improve the curriculum and culture at our school to ensure that students of all races, religions, gender and sexual identities and socioeconomic statuses felt safe and welcome at our school.

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Oliviana Marie, 18 • Los Angeles, California | Laurel Springs High School Future Plans: I would love to be able to write and perform in my own musicals on Broadway or in movies. I'd like to be the best ME possible. I will be attending the Thornton School of Music at USC as a Freshman Composition Major.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

Yes, it's one of my favorite genres because of my godfather, Lew Spence, who wrote many "standards." He introduced me to this style of music and although he has passed, I still feel connected to him every time I sing one of his wonderful songs. I consider it my duty and honor to shine a light on these well-crafted compositions.

Annie Matot, 17 • Jupiter, Florida| The King’s Academy Future Plans: My greatest goal for the future is to become successful and enjoy my profession passionately. I want to raise a family and make a living for myself doing what I love, which is singing. Whether it’s performing on the stage at the professional level or teaching at the educational level, I would like to incorporate music into my career.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

It is so hard to choose one favorite, but right now Julie London is at the top of my playlist.

When I drive home from rehearsals at 9:30 p.m., I love to listen to her comforting songs as I cruise down the highway on my long drive home. Her smoky voice is smooth and distinctive, and resonates with me.

Graham Montgomery, 18 • Bossier City, Louisiana | Loyola College Preparatory School Future Plans: I aspire to make Broadway a career in the future. I'd like to be myself, however, I admire Brian Stokes Mitchell. After the summer intensive, I will be traveling and performing for a year. I want to gain some life experience before I attend college.

When did you begin singing?

My parents like to joke and say that I practically came out of the womb belting. When I was about six years old, I discovered the movie Hairspray. "Good Morning Baltimore" was a song that was consistently going through my head. I would play the movie on the TV in our living room, throw on my backpack, and walk around the house belting the song (pretending that I was Tracy Turnblad).

Quiana Morris, 18 • Ellabell, Georgia | Savannah Arts Academy Future Plans: My greatest goal is to understand what I've been placed on earth to do and do it to the best of my ability. Someday I hope to utilize my gifts in music and other character traits for the bettering of others and bring them happiness. I will be attending the University of Alabama and plan on majoring in Political Science.

Are you involved with extracurricular activities?

For the summer after graduation, I will be working three jobs in order to prepare for my upcoming college experience. I will be working with the American Traditions Competition by finding ways to spread awareness of the Great American Songbook to youth in the community.

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Sophia Muharram, 17 • Pinecrest, Florida | New World School of the Arts Future Plans: After receiving my BFA in musical theatre, I hope to move to New York and be on Broadway. This is my lifelong dream and I hope to do all I can do to achieve it! I am attending the Boston Conservatory at Berklee for musical theatre.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

My favorite Songbook performer is Frank Sinatra! His voice and tone quality is just absolutely gorgeous. I can feel his emotions through my phone when I listen to him sing. One of my favorite songs that he sings is "Strangers in the Night"; it gives me chills me every single time.

Sydni Mulligan, 18• Mount Zion, Illinois | Mount Zion High School Future Plans: My goals for the future are to continue on in music for as long as I can. I want to try and make it as a pop/R&B artist. I hope to have released many songs and people will listen to them! I will be attending Belmont University continuing on in Commercial Music and Vocal Performance.

What do you love most about music and singing?

I don't just love the messages and emotions that come along with singing and listening to a sad song. Music is so powerful and can do many things to you. Music has helped me get through plenty of hard times. Ever since I was young, I have loved how I feel while singing a song and it is my favorite thing ever.

Piper Murphy, 17 • Carmel, Indiana | Park Tudor School Future Plans: My greatest goal is writing and/or performing a show on Broadway. I want to spend my days on stage and my nights writing on my computer. Nothing would bring me more joy than being an absolute workaholic at the theatre. I want to learn anything and everything about theatre, and when I'm done I want to create more.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

I really like Hoagy Carmichael. As an aspiring songwriter, I really appreciate his work.

My favorite song of his is “Skylark.”

Cara Nowlin, 18 • Carmel, Indiana | Carmel High School Future Plans: I would just like to be someone who can help others in any way possible, someone who inspires others to keep going and recognize hope and all that they are capable of in difficult times. I have committed to Bradley University for the fall of 2022 and plan to study vocal performance.

What do you love most about music and singing?

I love that we sing for the people who need to hear us, for the people who believe they have nothing left, for the people in pain. I love that music and singing have the power to color hope and perseverance within others' hearts, when they feel unable to do so themselves.

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Hudson Orfe, 17 • Hopewell Township, New Jersey | Interlochen Arts Academy Future Plans: Since I became so passionate about the piano, I've started to really enjoy composition, and in a perfect world, I would be able to sing and perform AND write music. So like any theatre kid my age, winning a Tony (for anything) or making my Broadway debut feels a lot like the ultimate goal.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

As a Theatre major at an arts boarding school, I'm familiar with hundreds of musicals, most of them being Golden Age. But I hadn't put two and two together to acknowledge that most of these tunes became so well known as a result of the Songbook Era. And so many students my age would benefit from this realization, so that more people can fall in love with this music the way I have.

Julia Parasram, 17 • Queens Village, New York | Frank Sinatra School of the Arts Future Plans:: I aspire to become a household name, for my part in the music industry. I hope that in the future I am able to tap into other people's emotions through music, whether it be my own music or music of the Great American Songbook. I will be attending NYU Steinhardt for a bachelor of music in Vocal Performance.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

I grew up listening to the Great American Songbook. I’ve also taken part in the Adela and Larry Elow American Songbook Competition which introduced me to even more selections from the Songbook. Through this competition, I have also had the opportunity to take part in other events with the Mable Mercer Foundation.

Anjali Rooney, 17 • Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania | Harrington High School Future Plans: First and foremost, I would like to be someone who brings joy to others. That is the main life goal. I would also love to become an EGOT-winning actress. I thoroughly enjoy acting, singing, and dancing, so to be able to reach that level of truth and talent in each of those categories would be a dream come true.

When did you begin singing?

I began singing when I was 3 years old, skipping around the kitchen table singing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” For me, singing has been one of the most important parts of my life along with family and friends. It has kept me sane in the wildest times and has provided me with a great amount of empathy and perspective on others.

Anne Shea Safran, 16 • Doylestown, Pennsylvania | Central Bucks High School West Future Plans: I would love to be on Broadway one day, and along with that, I would love to release some of my own music!

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

I became familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook when my sister Sierra was accepted into the Songbook Academy, and since then I have learned several songs in the style. I loved watching "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and all the Songbook music they played on the show.

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Jack Sullivan, 18 • Indianapolis, Indiana | Carmel High School Future Plans: I would either like to be a wildly successful performer/trillionaire, or an English teacher.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

I had known of music of the Great American Songbook, but only from a distance. After taking voice lessons for a while I began singing pieces from that era, and fell in love with it.

Amanda Swickle, 15 • Jericho, New York | Jericho Senior High School Future Plans: To share my voice on a large scale, on big beautiful stages, in front of large crowds. Like Linda Eder, Kathryn McPhee and Celine Dion. I also love creating new music and hope that one day people can relate to my songs and sing them when they're on the radio.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

I really learned about music of the Great American Songbook last summer at Songbook Academy! I love it, and throughout this past year I found myself singing a lot more songs from this era. Thank you to Songbook Academy for showing me all the beautiful work of this genre.

Richard Watson, 18 • Berkeley, California| Idyllwild Arts Academy Future Plans: I intend to pursue a degree in music at Berklee College of Music with a course of study in the contemporary music department, majoring in popular music with a concentration in singing/songwriting. I will also be looking at a minor in prelaw and begin to explore careers in law that compliment my primary focus in music.

Are you involved with extracurricular activities?

I founded a non-profit, Youth In Arts Saves Lives, which functions as a resource for teens to engage in the various arts emphases and especially young men in my community and anyone who is marginalized, especially young people who battle with various physical, emotional and mental disabilities.

Natalie Wiley, 17 • St. Charles, Illinois | Interlochen Arts Academy Future Plans: My greatest goal is to be a theater artist! I would love to create and partake in change-making theater in any capacity.

Who is your favorite Songbook artist?

My favorite Songbook performer is Dean Martin. My dad gave me his old Dean Martin Christmas Album record and I love to listen to it during the holidays.

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Carly Williams, 16 • West Bridgewater, Massachusetts | Cardinal Spellman High School Future Plans: I want to make people feel better. In the future I would like to make people’s day better, whether through theater and music, or through any other life path I may choose. In the future my main goal is to remain happy and kind.

Prior to auditioning for the Songbook Academy, were you familiar with the music of the Great American Songbook?

Yes, I love the music from the Great American Songbook! Last year I participated in a Songbook cabaret with a local theater group. I was chosen to sing a duet with the Broadway guest artist, Allison Blackwell. We sang “I Wish I Were in Love Again.”

Camden Zetty, 17 • Avon, Indiana | Avon High School Future Plans: I hope to study marketing and/or arts administration in order to combine my passion for business with my love for the arts.

When did you begin singing?

I have been singing for as long as I can remember, but I began singing more seriously after joining the Indianapolis Children’s Choir about 8 years ago. Through the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, I have been introduced to an enormous repertoire of music spanning a variety of genres and cultures.

SUPPORT THE SONGBOOK ACADEMY® This year’s Songbook Academy is being held in a virtual format for the safety of participants. However, students will experience an equally impactful program of world-class performance training with music industry professionals and vocal experts, award-winning artists, and peers from across the country who share their interest in the foundational genre of American popular music. As one finalist put it last year, “Not even a pandemic can stop the Songbook.” – Sean Hodges, twotime alumnus from Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Would you consider giving a gift, of any size, to support this unparalleled arts education experience? Securing 40 gifts during Songbook Academy will help offset the cost of offering a transformative online program. Give now at TheSongbook.org/Donate or text SONGBOOK to 91999.

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THE 2021

ACADEMY

®

TOP 40 FINALISTS

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GET INVOLVED APPLY FOR THE SONGBOOK ACADEMY® “I learned invaluable lessons about interpreting lyrics, the history of American popular music, and LIFE under the mentorship of Michael Feinstein and the Songbook Academy. If you’re a high school student who loves this music, I encourage you to apply.” – Maddie Baillio (NBC’s Hairspray Live!, 2021 film Cinderella)

Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. residents and live in the 50 continental United States are invited to apply to our annual Songbook Academy summer music intensive.

How to Apply: Singers submit video recordings of themselves performing two contrasting selections from the Great American Songbook by visiting our Acceptd application. All Songbook Academy applicants receive written feedback from the screeners who assess their performances!

2021 Program: 40 students will be invited to participate in a week-long performance intensive on the campus of the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana, the home of the Great American Songbook Foundation, from July 16 to 23, 2022.

For more information about the Songbook Academy, visit TheSongbook.org/ SongbookAcademy or email songbookacademy@thesongbook.org.

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GUEST MENTORS Michael Feinstein, Master of Ceremonies

The founder of the Songbook Foundation and the multi-platinumselling, two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated entertainer dubbed “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook” – is considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards. His 200-plus shows a year have included performances at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House and the Hollywood Bowl as well as the White House and Buckingham Palace.

More than simply a performer, Feinstein has received national recognition for his commitment to celebrating America’s popular song and preserving its legacy for the next generation. In 2007, he founded the Great American Songbook Foundation, dedicated to celebrating the art form and preserving it through educational programs, masterclasses, and the annual Songbook Academy.

Michael also serves on the Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Board, an organization dedicated to ensuring the survival, conservation and increased public availability of America’s sound recording heritage for future generations.

Mandy Barnett, a world-class vocalist and actress, has been called “a song’s best friend” for her interpretive skill and her devotion to classic country, R&B, and Songbook standards. Barnett has graced symphony halls, historic theaters, and music festivals around the world. At age 18, she was the original star of one of the first “jukebox” musicals, Always...Patsy Cline at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Barnett has made over 500 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and released a variety of acclaimed albums, including her 1996 eponymous debut for Warner Bros./Asylum Records, I’ve Got a Right to Cry, named the 1999 “Top Country Album” by Rolling Stone, and 2018’s Strange Conversation, an Americana blend of roots, pop, and R&B tunes. Barnett recently released her eighth studio album, Every Star Above, recorded with a 60-piece orchestra in celebration of Billie Holiday’s Lady in Satin and arranged by legendary jazz maestro Sammy Nestico.

Trist Ethan Curless, a resident of Glendale, California, grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he became addicted to vocal harmonies! He attended Northwest College and the University of Northern Colorado, majoring in music education. In 1995, he co-founded the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact, with which he performed in festivals and concert halls around the world. Trist has also been known to work on the other side of the microphone, as an audio engineer for several vocal groups and bands, including Pentatonix, Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Take 6. When he’s not performing and mixing, Trist also finds time to participate as a clinician and adjudicator in clinics and festivals worldwide which enable him to share his love of music with others. Trist is having the time of his life making music recently with m-pact, Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, The Swingle Singers, Vox Audio, and now as a member of The Manhattan Transfer.

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GUEST MENTORS Telly Leung is a New York City native, Broadway performer, recording artist, producer, and theater arts teacher. His Broadway and touring credits include Aladdin in Disney's Aladdin, Allegiance (with George Takei and Lea Salonga), Godspell, Rent (final Broadway company), Wicked (Boq, original Chicago company), Pacific Overtures, Flower Drum Song. He starred in the Hollywood Bowl’s Rent, directed by Neil Patrick Harris, and has performed regionally from Pittsburgh CLO to the St. Louis Muny. Along with his two solo albums, I’ll Cover You (2012) and Songs for You (2016), he can be heard on many original Broadway cast recordings. Leung holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama and teaches at drama programs around the world.

Twitter/Instagram: @tellyleung. Website: www.tellyleung.com Solea Pfeiffer is set to star in Tyler Perry’s upcoming feature

film JAZZMAN’S BLUES on Netflix and will soon be seen in the Broadway-bound adaptation of ALMOST FAMOUS. She recently starred in the world premiere of the musical GUN & POWDER at the Signature Theatre. She also received praise for her portrayal of Eva Peron in New York City Center’s revival of EVITA before starring opposite Renee Fleming in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Previously, Solea starred in the critically acclaimed run of Encores! Off Center’s SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, as Eliza in the West Coast premiere of HAMILTON, and as Maria in the LA Philharmonic/Gustavo Dudamel Hollywood Bowl production of WEST SIDE STORY. Jazz/blues vocalist Catherine Russell is a native New Yorker, born into a musical family. Her father, Luis Russell, was a legendary pianist/composer and bandleader and Louis Armstrong’s longtime musical director. Her mother, Carline Ray, was a pioneering multiinstrumentalist and vocalist who performed with the all-female swing orchestra The International Sweethearts of Rhythm in the 1940s, pianist/composer Mary Lou Williams, and arranger/orchestra leader Sy Oliver. Catherine has released seven solo albums since 2006.

Her two most recent albums, Harlem on My Mind (2016) and Alone Together (2019), earned Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album. As an educator, Catherine has taught at Berklee College of Music and The New School, as well as teaching masterclasses and private students.

Vuyo (Vuyolwethu) Sotashe is a New York-based vocalist, composer, and performer originally from South Africa. Since moving to the United States as a Fulbright Scholar, he has performed with celebrated jazz artists including Dee Dee Bridgewater, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Barry Harris, and Winard Harper. Vuyo has appeared with multiple Grammy Award winner and Pulitzer Prize winner Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as a featured artist on their 2018 Winter Big Hand Holidays Tour (US), as well as their South African Songbook tour in Europe and his home country, South Africa. Sotashe has also appeared as a leader and sideman at the internationally acclaimed Montreux Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and Newport Jazz Fest.

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FEATURED GUESTS Jonathan Flom is an international musical theatre educator,

a stage director, and a multi-published author. He currently serves as Head of Education at the Danish National School of Performing Arts Musical Academy, Fredericia, where he began his tenure in 2020. Jonathan is a passionate educator and mentor. He believes in empowering artists through personal development and selfreflection. He has developed curricula to help self-actualization as well as personal branding and marketing, which is also the subject of his book, Act Like It’s Your Business: Branding and Marketing Skills for Actors (2013). He also works with performers to navigate the challenging psychology of auditions, which he wrote about in Get the Callback (2nd. Ed. 2016).

David Lawrence scored and/or contributed songs to Disney’s

High School Musical 1, 2, & 3, Cheetah Girls 2 & 3, Starstruck and MTV’s American Mall. He is proud to be one of the songwriters (along with writer/wife Faye Greenberg) on the original High School Musical soundtrack, the best-selling CD of 2006. A sought-after film composer, David scored American Pie, American Pie 2, Van Wilder starring Ryan Reynolds, Ambulance Girl starring Kathy Bates, Pop Rocks starring Gary Cole and Sherilyn Fenn, as well as Muppet Classic Theater starring Kermit and Miss Piggy. On television, you’ve heard his music on The Cleaner, Harper’s Island, Jericho and Cane.

He served as music director and supervisor on the Emmy Awardwinning Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (written by the fabulous Robert L. Freedman) and received the coveted 2009 ASCAP Achievement Award for his work on High School Musical 3.

Catherine Walker holds a master’s degree in Choral

Conducting from Western Michigan University and has worked extensively as a musical director, most recently on productions of Next to Normal, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Parade, Blood Brothers, Urinetown, The Light in the Piazza and Shenandoah, starring Robert Newman of TV’s Guiding Light. Her work as a choral conductor has been recognized by the Michigan School Vocal Music Association and the American Choral Directors Association.

Catherine is an associate professor of music in the Department of Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan.

Stacy Wolf is Professor of Theater and American Studies,

Director of the Princeton Arts Fellows, and Director of the Program in Music Theater at Princeton University. She is the author of A Problem Like Maria: Gender and Sexuality in the American Musical and Changed for Good: A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical, and is co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of the American Musical. Her new book, Beyond Broadway: The Pleasure and Promise of Musical Theatre Across America, explores how the musical theatre repertoire finds new life at local and amateur venues across the U.S., including summer camps, high schools, community theatres, and afterschool programs.

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MUSIC DIRECTORS

THE STAN & SANDY HURT MENTOR

Jeff Harris is a pianist, composer, arranger, conductor and lyricist who has worked with Chaka Khan, Jack Jones, Barbara Cook, Marilyn Maye, Michael Feinstein and Cleo Laine. With Maureen McGovern, he has played and arranged for seven of her CDs, written many songs and appeared frequently on television and in concert. He frequently appears with leading symphony orchestras and has worked on Broadway as pianist-conductor for shows including Gypsy, On the Town, Fosse and Beauty and the Beast.

Russ Kassoff is a jazz pianist, conductor, music director, composer, orchestrator and arranger who toured for many years with Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli. On Broadway, he was music director and conductor for Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away and was conductor-pianist for Charles Aznavour in concert. He has served as music director for Rita Moreno since 2003 and has accompanied and/or recorded with Perry Como, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Carly Simon and Luciano Pavarotti, among other artists.

THE PEGGY FORD MENTOR

Beckie Menzie has appeared at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Birdland in New York and Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre and Park West. Hailed by WGN Radio as “indispensable to Chicago cabaret,” she has performed at many Mabel Mercer Cabaret Conventions in New York and Chicago and has served as a performer, director and musical director for the Chicago Humanities Festival. She conducts masterclasses across the country and tours regularly with vocalist Tom Michael.

THE MICHAEL & MARGIE DRAPER MENTOR

Melanie Shore is an accomplished performer, soughtafter studio musician and award-winning composer and arranger who has performed with artists including Chuck Berry, Il Divo, Lea Salonga, David Archuleta, Debby Boone, Restless Heart and Collin Raye. She has worked on many national Broadway tours, most recently as associate music director/conductor for the first U.S. national tour of Matilda the Musical. She is an associate professor of jazz piano at Snow College, University of Utah and Utah Valley University.

THE JOHN & DIANE ABRAMS MENTOR

THE PAUL & SUE LOWDEN MENTOR 22

Daryl Kojak is a pianist, musical director, producer, composer, arranger and songwriter based in NYC. He has worked with Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Kristin Chenoweth, Vicki Sue Robinson, George Coleman, Randy Brecker, Kurt Elling, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Mary Testa, Alison Fraser, Emily Skinner, Sandra Bernhard, André De Shields, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Sheldon Harnick, Tessa Souter, Richard Belzer, Tiny Tim, Ben Vereen, Catherine Russell, Laurie Krauz, Jackie Hoffman, Phoebe Snow, Spider Saloff, Paige Price and Nancy Lamott, among others. Daryl has composed music for film, television, stage and artist’s recordings.

VOCAL COACHES

THE LIBBY & RANDY BROWN MENTOR

THE KEVIN & NEIL GOETZ MENTOR

THE BRIAN & KELLY SMITH MENTOR

Dan Callaway will begin serving on the faculty of Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s Vocal Performance and Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy program this fall. Before that, he taught in Elon University’s Music Theatre Program for seven years.

Select theatre credits include the Broadway National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera, My Fair Lady opposite Kate Baldwin at Sacramento Music Circus, Spamalot and Sweeney Todd with Musical Theatre West, and One Touch of Venus with Lost Musicals at the Royal Opera House Lindbury Studio in London.

La Tanya Hall’s versatility in a variety of musical genres has allowed her to work with some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including Diana Ross, Bobby McFerrin, Quincy Jones, and Aretha Franklin. Hall is also an active educator, teaching masterclasses on vocal performance and the Great American Songbook . She created the first vocal jazz degree program at Oberlin Conservatory and teaches there as an associate professor of jazz voice.

Elaine Moebius earned her degree in music education from Capital University and taught vocal music for 36 years at schools in Columbus and Delaware, Ohio, and Mooresville, Indiana. Currently a private voice instructor and vocal clinician in central Indiana, she has been a choral and show choir adjudicator in Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana and is currently a site coordinator for ISSMA-sanctioned show choir events.

THE BILL & LYNN WEIDNER MENTOR

Daniel Narducci, baritone, has performed on opera, concert and musical theater stages from Lincoln Center to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and has appeared with many of the world’s most prestigious orchestras. He played the role of Lancelot during two national tours of Camelot, most notably opposite Robert Goulet’s King Arthur. Narducci holds a doctoral degree in voice from Indiana University and serves on the faculty at the University of Indianapolis.

THE MARK & GLORIA FINE MENTOR

Lynne Rothrock is an entertainer and arts educator who has performed as a solo artist at venues including Birdland (NYC), the Bluebird Café (Nashville), Davenport’s Cabaret (Chicago), Aster Cafe (Minneapolis) and Crown & Anchor (Cape Cod, MA). She has worked as an actress and musical director for theater companies around the country and has taught at Western Michigan, Roosevelt and Ambrose universities, currently serving as instructor of Musical Theatre at Luther College.

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THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS THIS WEEK OF ARTS EDUCATION WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR GENEROUS PARTNERS:

LIBBY AND RANDY BROWN

ZG

ERAL

NATIONAL PROGRAM PARTER

D

ELLA

FI

T

EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT SPONSORS

C H A R I T A B L E

F O U N D A T I O N

The Songbook Academy begins its second decade with a focus on expanding program awareness and building diversity among participants. To aid this effort, Mentor Champions have stepped up to provide funds to bolster marketing efforts, reach more educators, and promote scholarship opportunities for students of need. Their generosity makes the transformative Songbook Academy available to talented students who otherwise may not have had the chance to attend. Thank you to the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation and the following donors for helping the Songbook Academy continue to grow in its second decade.

Mentor Champions financially support the Songbook Academy and have special access to behind-thescenes sessions with the Mentor of their choosing during Songbook Academy week.

Only 10 Mentor Champion positions are available each year. To learn how you can make an impact on the lives of young artists, contact Marissa Nielsen, Individual Giving Officer, at MNielsen@TheSongbook.org or 317.844.9454.

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SONGBOOK ACADEMY MENTOR CHAMPIONS THE LIBBY & RANDY BROWN MENTOR

THE KEVIN & NEIL GOETZ MENTOR

THE JOHN & DIANE ABRAMS MENTOR

DAN CALLAWAY

LA TANYA HALL

JEFF HARRIS

THE STAN & SANDY HURT MENTOR

THE PAUL & SUE LOWDEN MENTOR

THE PEGGY FORD MENTOR

RUSS KASSOFF

DARYL KOJAK

BECKIE MENZIE

THE BRIAN & KELLY SMITH MENTOR

THE BILL & LYNN WEIDNER MENTOR

THE MARK & GLORIA FINE MENTOR

ELAINE MOEBIUS

DANIEL NARDUCCI

LYNNE ROTHROCK

THE MICHAEL & MARGIE DRAPER MENTOR

MEL SHORE 25

The Great American Songbook Foundation Michael Feinstein, Founder

Silver Songbook Legacy ($15,000$24,999) Peggy Ford Stan and Sandy Hurt

Friends Thank you to the following individuals and organizations that have contributed to the Great American Songbook Foundation annual fund during the past year. This list reflects gifts received through July 1, 2021. For more information, please contact the Development Office at 317.819.3520.

ANNUAL FUN D

Paul & Sue Lowden Vivian Serota Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation Indiana Arts Commission Ruth's Chris Steak House The Ted Snowdon Foundation

Bronze Songbook Legacy ($10,000-$14,999) Lisa & Paul Andre Mr. & Mrs. Terry W. Anker

Diamond Songbook Legacy ($100,000+)

Beineke Memorial Fund,

Libby & Randy Brown

a fund of Central Indiana Community

Michael Feinstein & Terrence Flannery

Foundation

William M. Goodwin

Gary Carnow

Bren Simon

Marc Cherry Karen M. Ellerbrook

City of Carmel

Don & Pam Gottwald

Seedlings Foundation

Karen & Doug Kelsey Riki Kane Larimer

Songbook Society Platinum ($50,000-$99,999)

Maria Ferrer Murdock

Efroymson Family Fund, a CICF Fund

Troy Payner & Cara Peggs

National Endowment for the Arts

Roger Schmelzer & Lucinda Phillips

Izabela & Ersal Ozdemir

Sunny Sessa

Gold Songbook Legacy ($25,000$49,999)

American Senior Communities

Dr. & Mrs. Charles M. Simons

Christel DeHaan Family Foundation

Bill & Lynn Weidner

Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation The Music Man Foundation

Indiana Destination Development Corporation Institute of Museum and Library Services 26

Hollywood Musical ($5,000-$9,999)

Bob & Rose Popovich

Diane & John Abrams Philanthropic Fund

James & Lilah Rabe

Melissa & Bradon Barnes

Greg B. Reynolds

Hal Brody & Don Smith

Judy Roudebush

Maureen Charles

Jerry & DeAnn Shrewsbury

Michael Charles

Bruce Sloane

Cheri & Rollie Dick

Jon & Cleo Sonneborn

Michael & Margie Draper

Susan Springirth

Mark & Gloria Fine

Betty Stilwell

Kevin & Neil Goetz

Sheila M. Stone

William & Barb Hammer

Saundra & Mark Truett

Jim & Ray Luther-Pfeil

Mitch & Julie Tull

Jeffrey C. McDermott

Barrie & Margaret Zimmerman

Jim & Ginny Purvis

Anonymous

Brian & Kelly Smith BoysBoysBoys LLC Salon 01

George Flynn Classical Concerts

Tiffany & Company

The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation

Broadway Show ($2,500-$4,999)

Big Band ($500-$999)

Bruce & Jan Reynolds

Tita Cahn

Pat & John Schuler

Patrick & Jennifer Cross

Dr. Pamela Steed

The Di Leo Family Leslee & Wayne Feinstein

Arts Midwest

The Flauto Family

The Edward and Helen Oppenheimer

Daniel Fowler, Near North Title Group

Foundation

Marianne Glick & Mike Woods

The Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation Karen E. Kennedy Old National Bank

Marjorie Kimes Thomas J. Kinney

Cabaret ($1,000-$2,499)

Ron & Linda Maus

Jack Bethards

Dr. Greg & Rose-Ann Mazanek

Bethany & Brian Burdick

Joe & Lisa Miller

Helen M. Eby

Michael Pettry & John Mainella

Dr. Howard Eigen

Dr. Michael & Sharon O'Hair

Sam & Mary Haskell

Phil & Debbi Ponella

Chris & Kelli Lewis

The Rains Family, Michael, Kathryn & Logan

Timothy S. Needler

Rains

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Reese Family Foundation for Christ, Inc.

MATCH I NG GI F T CO M PAN I ES

Charles Richardson Michael Scott The Shelton Family Larry Weber Robert Zaret Anonymous Peggy Lee Associates, LLC

Apple, Inc. The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation Eli Lilly and Company Foundation

M E M ORIAL & HONOR GI F TS

Tin Pan Alley ($250-$499) Mike Agron Sheryl Anastas Stephanie Baillio Ruth Bank Sheila Delaney Hector & Laura DesMoine Bronwen & Marvin Ferguson Roger & Susan Frick Joan & David Golding Brent & Linda Hartman Howard & Sarah Knight Steve & Joni La Schiazza John & Jane Leavitt Halle Lipton Lisa Lobdell Lee A. Meredith Robert Pullen & Luke Frazier Family of Gigi Sierra Spirit Music Group Robert & Suellen Swaney Elayne Techentin David & Victoria Temple Hal & Kathy Thurston

In honor of Michael Feinstein & Terrence Flannery

In memory of Miss Ella Fitzgerald, the beloved First Lady of Song

George Flynn Classical Concerts

In honor of Peggy Ford

Betty Stilwell

In memory of Muriel & Bob Kennedy

Karen Kennedy

In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Adrian Levy, Jr. and Mr. & Mrs. Adrian Levy, Sr.

The Edward and Helen Oppenheimer Foundation

In memory of John Muldowny

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Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation

In honor of Michael Feinstein

Chad & Lynn Winston Barbara Wulfe

Leslee & Wayne Feinstein

Sheila M. Stone

In honor of Todd Neal The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation In honor of the birthday of Jan Reynolds

Bruce Reynolds

In honor of the 82nd Birthday of Bruce Reynolds

Greg Reynolds

LEGACY GI F TS The Legacy Society recognizes and thanks dedicated individuals who are leaving a future legacy to The Great American Songbook Foundation.

Libby and Randy Brown Cheri and Rollie Dick The Family of Louis F. Edelman Peggy Ford Stan and Sandy Hurt Riki Kane Larimer Jeffrey C. McDermott Janis Paige Susan Springirth

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board of directors Roger Schmelzer Chair Karen Kelsey Vice Chair Rollin Dick Treasurer William Hammer Secretary Carolyn E. Anker Immediate Past Chair Brook Babcock Libby Brown Gary Carnow Marc Cherry Karen Ellerbrook Terrence Flannery Peggy Ford Don Gottwald Stan Hurt Kate Edelman Johnson Karen Kelsey Riki Kane Larimer Paul Lowden Maria Ferrer Murdock Izabela Ozdemir Troy Payner, M.D. Charles Simons, D.D.S., M.S.D. Michael Strunsky Lynn Weidner Michael Feinstein (Member Emeritus) Irwin Helford (Member Emeritus) Ronald G. Shaw (Member Emeritus)

PROGRaM & PRODUCTION CREDITS

SONGBOOK 101 GUEST SPEAKERS Mandy Barnett, Logan Branch and Pam Vale Branch, Patrick and Ryan Cassidy, Shirley Nestico, Ricky Riccardi (The Louis Armstrong House Museum), Julia Riva and the family of Billy Strayhorn VOCAL HEALTH LECTURE Jason DeBord ALUM APPEARANCES: Matt Hoffman, Reed Gnepper and Grace Wipfli NATIONAL SCREENERS: Anthony Bruno, Dr. Kathleen Hacker, Daniel Narducci, Nicki Richards, Lynne Rothrock, Sonia Santiago

Staff Credits SONGBOOK FOUNDATION STAFF Jeffrey C. McDermott President/CEO Chris Lewis Executive Director Lisa Lobdell Director of Library and Archives Renée La Schiazza Director of Programs Marissa Nielsen Individual Giving Officer Chelsea Reynowsky Program Coordinator Anna LoPrete Music Librarian

Katelyn Soards Development Intern MUSIC, VIDEO & EDITING Editing by Wayne Images – Perry & Jeri Reichanadter Editing of student performances – Devin Schonsheck Footage of Students – Top 40 finalists and families Piano Tracks – generously recorded by our Songbook Academy Music Directors 30

CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS STAFF *Special thanks to the staff members listed below who provided technical and production support throughout the 2021 Songbook Academy Program

PRODUCTION Tim Todd* Vice President of Event Production Lisa Posson* Director of Production Ben Dobler* Lead Video Engingeer Devin Schonsheck* Lead Audio Engineer DEVELOPMENT Kendra Latta, CFRE Vice President of Development

Katie Breden Social Media Manager Kalie Clark Design Manager OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION Jeff Steeg Vice President of Finance and Operations Christie Gardner Director of Human Resources Cynthia Ille Controller Nancy Hamilton Accounting & Human Resources Manager John A. Moskal II Business Intelligence Manager

Braden Hurley Director of Partnership Development

Michelle Oakley Accounting Specialist

Sheila Delaney Director of Development Strategy & Research

Maryan Douglas Administrative Assistant

Tara Eubanks Individual Giving Associate

PATRON SERVICES Brian Seitz Director of Patron Services and Organizational Core Values

Sara Landrum Kristina Davis Grant Writers MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Mark Truett Vice President of Marketing & Communications Becky Lee Meacham Director of Marketing Scott Hall Director of Communications

Chandler Appleby Steve Moore Patron Services Managers Sheryl Anastas Patron Services Concierge Bill Eckert Patron Services Associate

THE 2021 SONGBOOK ACADEMY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US! 31

THE 2021

ACADEMY

®

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!