The Great American Songbook Foundation Presents: Songbook Academy Public Masterclass 2023

The annual Songbook Academy® summer intensive is the nation's leading youth music program focused on the timeless standards of jazz, pop, Broadway and Hollywood. Now in its 14th year, the Songbook Academy is the flagship education initiative of the Great American Songbook Foundation. Each year 40 top high school vocalists are selected from hundreds of applicants to experience a life-changing week of classes, workshops and performances under the guidance of arts and entertainment professionals and leading university educators.

In this free masterclass open to the public, Founder Michael Feinstein will be joined by Tony Award-winning actor and speaker Ali Stroker as they critique the performances of ten randomly selected finalists of the 2023 Academy. This year's masterclass will take place before a live audience and also will be streamed for national audiences.

Tickets:

General seating on-site tickets and livestream registration are pay-what-you-can with no minimum price.

Thanks to our generous supporters, we have reached the matching gift goal sponsored by Dr. Larry Weeda Jr. & Sharon Polk and Bob & Rose Popovich. We are grateful for the $40,000 that was raised and matched by their collective gift. You can still make an impact, donate today and support Songbook Academy® with your gift!

Tickets for this event can be reserved online or by calling (317) 843-3800. Tickets may also be obtained in person at the Fifth Third Bank Box Office, 1 Carter Green, Carmel.  

About the Mentors: 

• Michael Feinstein (Founder of the Great American Songbook Foundation) is the multi-platinum-selling, two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated entertainer known as “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook.” Beyond his recordings and his performances at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, the White House and Buckingham Palace, he is recognized internationally for his commitment to celebrating America’s popular song and preserving its legacy for future generations. His latest album is Gershwin Country, featuring duets with Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley and other country stars.

    Ali Stroker made history as the first actor in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway in Deaf West’s acclaimed 2015 revival of Spring Awakening. She then won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Ado Annie in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! She next stars in Netflix’s upcoming limited series, Echoes. In Winter 2020, she starred in the Lifetime holiday film Christmas Ever After. Ali can be seen in a key recurring role in the final season of Netflix's Ozark. She recurred in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building and ABC’s Ten Days in the Valleyand guest starred on CBS’ Blue Bloods, Freeform’s The Bold Type, Fox’s Lethal Weapon, CBS’ Instinct, The CW’s Charmed and Comedy Central’s Drunk History. Her mission to improve the lives of others through the arts, disabled or not, is captured in her motto: “Turning Your Limitations Into Your Opportunities.”