A Year In Review (July ’22 – Aug ’23)
MASTER CLASS WITH ASHLEY BROWN
Ashley Brown, who originated the role of Mary Poppins on Broadway, popped in at The Music Hall Academy’s Mary Poppins Theatre Camp on Tuesday, August 1! She coached singers including 10th grader Kerry Hunter who played Mary (left), critiqued dance numbers, held a Q&A and graciously signed autographs. Thank you for a wonderful and inspiring day, Ashley!
CIRCUS ARTS CAMP – week #2
Academy students in grades 1-8 participated in a week-long Circus Arts Camp in collaboration with Westchester Circus Arts in August, exploring aerial arts, juggling, acrobatics, prop manipulation, tightwire, rola bola, hula hoop and more. A demonstration for parents and friends was held on on August 25, 2023.
CIRCUS ARTS CAMP – week #1
Academy students in grades 1-8 participated in a week-long Circus Arts Camp in collaboration with Westchester Circus Arts in August, exploring aerial arts, juggling, acrobatics, prop manipulation, tightwire, rola bola, hula hoop and more. A demonstration for parents and friends was held on on August 18, 2023.
LITERARY ARTS CAMP
Students in Kindergarten-2nd grade brought books and stories to life through music, theater, movement and art in August 2023.
MYTH DETECTIVES CAMP
Myth Detectives Camp involved Academy students in grades 4-8 and the performance was held on August 11.
MARY POPPINS THEATRE CAMP
Academy students in grades 2-12 participated in a two-week theater camp which culminated in a performance on August 4.
BRING IT ON
In July, 2023, Academy students in grades 9 through college from all over Westchester performed in Bring It On with a live professional band.
& JULIET – BROADWAY EXPERIENCE
Broadway Trip #2: Kevin Kearins, the Academy Director, took Academy & KJK Productions students to see & Juliet on Broadway on July 18, 2023!
ONGOING MUSIC LESSONS
Cello, guitar, harp, mandolin, piano, ukulele, violin, etc lessons.
ONGOING AERIAL SILKS CLASSES
MASTER CLASS #4
In June 2023 and in collaboration with The Helen Hayes Youth Theatre and Two Worlds Entertainment, students were treated to a triple threat audition experience with Broadway performers Michelle Aravena (Beetlejuice, Jersey Boys, Rocky, A Bronx Tale, A Chorus Line) & Chris Rice-Thomson (The Book of Mormon, Pretty Woman, Hamilton US Tour).
THE METRO AWARDS
The 2023 Metropolitan High School Theatre Awards (The Metros), founded in 1999 by Danielle Ruddess and hosted by Broadway performers Kerry Butler and David Josefsberg, took place on Monday, June 12 to a packed Music Hall. The event involved 56 participating high schools and 223 nominations! 6/12/23 LOHUD article by Peter Kramer.
FARMERS MARKET PERFORMANCE
On June 10, 2023, Academy students and Metro Award nominees performed at the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Farmers Market.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2
On June 9 and 15, 2023, 3rd – 12th graders performed in productions of High School Musical 2.
MUSIC RECITALS
On June 3 and 4, 2023, Academy and Mozartina music students performed at the Music Hall (cello, guitar, mandolin, piano, violin, etc)
WICKED – BROADWAY EXPERIENCE
Kevin J Kearins (Music Hall Academy Director) and Jordan Singer (Director) took Academy students to see Wicked in NYC on May 7, 2023! For some, it was their first Broadway experience. We look forward to the next Broadway outing!
13, THE MUSICAL
In April 2023, three casts of teenagers performed 13, The Musical.
SPRING 2023 VACATION CAMP
In April 2023, Academy students had the opportunity to workshop and perform in a week-long vacation camp.
ANNIE JR SCHOOL RESIDENCY
In March 2023, The Academy held a free school residency for Washington Irving and Sleepy Hollow Middle schools.
SHAKESPEARE CLASSES
In March/April 2023, Academy students were offered Shakespeare Playwriting classes.
WINTER 2003 VACATION CAMP
In February 2023, Academy students had the opportunity to workshop and perform in a week-long vacation camp.
THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS
On January 28, 2023, over 80 Academy students had the amazing opportunity to perform alongside Kennedy Caughell (Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Show, Paradise Square), Michele McConnell (the longest running Carlotta in the history of Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera), & Duane McDevitt (Perfect Crime)! The performers also held a Q&A for students before the performance.
MASTER CLASS #3
In January 2023 and in collaboration with Helen Hayes Youth Theatre and Two World Entertainment, students were treated to a masterclass with Broadway performers Collins Conley (Mean Girls) & Jane Bruce (Jagged Little Pill).
THE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
In December 2022, The Academy performed at the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
THE HALLOWEEN PARADE
In October 2022, the Academy won “Best In Show” at The Tarrytown Halloween Parade.
MASTER CLASS #2
In October 2022 and in collaboration with Westchester Circus Arts, Academy aerial silks students had the special opportunity to learn from professional circus performers in the Legends circus tent!
THE WIZARD OF OZ SCHOOL RESIDENCY
In November 2022, The Academy offered a free school theater residency to Washington Irving School students.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
In October 2022, Junior and Teen casts performed The Addams Family.
MYTHOLOGY PLAYWRITING CLASSES
In October/November 2022, Academy students participated in Mythology Playwriting classes.
MASTER CLASS #1
In September 2022 and in collaboration with The Helen Hayes Youth Theatre and Two Worlds Entertainment, students were treated to a masterclass with Broadway performers Kennedy Caughell (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Paradise Square) & Clay Rice-Thomson (Moulin Rouge, Newsies).
CIRCUS ARTS CAMP
In August 2022 and in collaboration with Westchester Circus Arts, students took part in a week-long circus arts camp.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
In July/August 2022, Academy students participated in a two-week camp of The Sound of Music.