Great American Songbook Foundation Opens Applications For Songbook Academy 2023

High school students with a passion for singing and the stage can learn directly from Broadway performers and other arts and entertainment professionals at the Great American Songbook Foundation's annual Songbook Academy, now accepting applications for its 14th national summer intensive July 15-22, 2023.

The Songbook Academy focuses on the pop, jazz, Broadway and Hollywood standards that have come to be known as the Great American Songbook, but the experience can be life-changing for any young person who wants to gain experience and expertise as a singer in professional or academic settings. Only 40 students nationwide are selected each year to attend the weeklong intensive at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana. Alumni have gone on to perform on NBC's The Voice, on Broadway, and at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues.

"There's nowhere else that you're going to learn about music in this way," said 2021 and 2022 participant Lydia Herrera of Kennesaw, Georgia, now studying in the renowned Department of Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan.

Through a rigorous but fun schedule of workshops, masterclasses and performances, the 40 students have opportunities to:

• Learn from award-winning artists, music directors and educators from top college performing arts programs about topics such as vocal technique, song interpretation, stage presence, music history, auditioning for college arts programs, and life as a working professional.
• Gain personal insights from professional performers including Songbook Foundation Founder Michael Feinstein, the five-time Grammy-nominated "Ambassador of the Great American Songbook." The other 2023 industry mentors are still to be announced, but previous mentors have included Broadway and Netflix stars Ashley Park and Solea Pfeiffer, performers from the hit musicals Mean Girls, Hamilton and Wicked, and members of Postmodern Jukebox and The Manhattan Transfer.
• Perform in solo and group formats in state-of-the-art venues for public audiences of a thousand or more, as well as online viewers.
• Connect and make friends with other young artists from across the country, joining an alumni network that provides support and shares information on scholarships, performance opportunities and academic and professional experiences.

Although Songbook Academy originated as a judged competition with awards for top performers, it has since evolved into a format that emphasizes camaraderie and mutual support among the participants.

"Songbook Academy is the first arts experience I have had where I felt true support and that I was on a real team," said 2022 alum Alexander Kim of Laguna Niguel, California. "I was surrounded by peers and mentors who are brilliant examples of what I can attain if I apply myself to the song."

How to apply

To be considered for the Songbook Academy, active high school students as of Jan. 1, 2023, who live in the United States are invited to submit videos with performances of two contrasting songs. Students are encouraged to select songs from the Broadway stage and the Hollywood screen as well as 20th century jazz standards. Submissions are evaluated by a national panel of music educators and industry professionals who provide written feedback to every applicant.

Candidates may apply at app.getacceptd.com/songbookacademy. The application deadline is March 26, 2023, with an early-bird discount available through Feb. 26. Need-based scholarships, fee waivers and other financial-aid opportunities are available.

More details and application information are available at TheSongbook.org/SongbookAcademy or by email at SongbookAcademy@TheSongbook.org.

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