About KW GleeKW Glee is comprised of two show choirs that perform live in Southern Ontario. The senior group is made up of teenagers ages 14 to 22, and the junior group is made up of performers ages 9 to 13. Unlike the popular “Glee” television series, this organization is distinctly different because it performs without cuts, takes, splices, voice-overs or auto-tuning. KW Glee is comprised of some of the best and brightest young people in Waterloo Region whose enthusiasm for song and performance is infectious.

Most performers take private vocal lessons and/or dance classes outside of their work with KW Glee, but there are also many students who get into the group with raw talent alone. Most show choirs exist at the high school level and are limited by the selection of performers who attend that school; KW Glee combines the top talent from around the region in one enriched program which challenges the students and helps them take their music and performance skills to the next level.

5 Year Anniversary Concert with the KW Symphony (Term 10)• Concert dates: January 19, 20 at the Centre In The Square• Featuring 72 senior performers, 36 junior performers, 52 Symphony members• Some songs in the coproduction include “ Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, “Skyfall” by Adele,

“Let It Be - Across The Universe Gospel Version” by The Beatles and “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen.

The Audition Process • Hundreds of aspiring singers audition for a limited number of spots in the group each

term. Auditions are open to anyone within the age bracket and there are no prerequisites for being a part of the group.

• Auditionees are assessed on vocal talent and performance presentation. Auditionees are asked to prepare a pop song for the audition. There is also a harmony singing test.

• There is a dance call back after the initial audition to assess the movement skill level of each potential performer, but vocal skill takes precedence.

Term Structure and Program• There are 2 terms per year: Fall - September to December/January; Spring - February to

May/June. The group is on hiatus during July and August.• The senior group rehearses 7 hours per week; 4 hours of vocal rehearsal on Saturday

mornings and 3 hours of choreography rehearsal on Monday evenings.• The Junior group rehearses 2 hours per week on Saturday afternoons. • There is a tuition fee to be a part of the group. It is decidedly low in order to cast a wide

net and ensure that the program is accessible to potential performers from all financial backgrounds. Each term is approximately 12 weeks long; the tuition works out to about $30 per week (less than $5 per hour per student) for a total of $350.

• The program strives to foster creativity, professionalism, leadership and confidence all in a fun environment which aims to nurture young artists and teach them the tools for success in performing arts and beyond.

Auditions for Term 10 with the KW Symphony will take place on September 20th and 21st with callbacks on September 22nd. For more details and to sign up, visit www.kwglee.com

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Notable Stats• The group has performed over 200 songs since its inception in 2010.• More than 250,000 combined views on YouTube since 2010.• 8 original songs written by various professional songwriters in Canada; available for

digital download on iTunes. Certain songs benefit charitable organizations in the region.

Regular Performances• KW Glee performs a concerts series at the end of every term complete with a professional

band and rock concert style lighting and sound.• The concerts usually include 20 to 25 songs all with advanced vocal harmonies,

choreography and/or staging and full costume. Costumes are not matching as in the American Show Choir tradition. Students supply their own costumes based on a Look Book which allows them freedom of expression within a set of guidelines.

• The concerts are usually sold out with an average attendance of 2000 people over one weekend of performances.

• There is usually a student performance on the Friday morning for local schools.

Notable Performances• Waterloo Region Arts Awards at the Centre in the Square• Waterloo Region’s Got Talent at the Centre in the Square• Guest performance at the first ever national Show Choir Canada competition in Toronto• Flash mob for the KOOL FM Poster Boy Campaign kick-off event• Headlining act for the City of Kitchener New Year’s Eve event on December 31, 2010

Example VideosCeline Medley (Seniors), 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6LaMqJSe7gEverything I Do (Male Quartet), 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WThbqoj5HsQSomething New (Senior Girls), 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGS6wCjAnzo Up! (Junior Group). 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpIO3J01TM4When You Believe (All), 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WzIRiGRWmULet It Be (Seniors), 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQgLHZpcsFg

Notable AlumniMany alumni are performing professionally or pursing post secondary training in performance in some of the top music, theatre and acting programs:• John McGill, attending the Musical Theatre Performance Program at Cincinnati, OH• Jessi Elgood, attending the Musical Theatre Performance Program at Guildford School

of Acting in London, UK • Thomas Putman, Graduate of Randolph Academy of Performing Arts in Toronto,

currently attending the performance program at the Royal Conservatory of Scotland• Joel Cumber, Laura Harding, Laura Larson, Harrison Smith, Gavin Tessier, Josh Warren,

all attending the Sheridan College Musical Theatre Program in Oakville, ON• Connor Cunningham, Beca MacKinnon, Emily Weir, all attending the Film & Television

Performance Program at Humber College in Toronto, ON.• AJ Bridel, Professional theatre performer and finalist on CBC’s Over The Rainbow• Joel Cox, Professional theatre performer and film and television actor• Current member Elliot Anton and his band Safe As Houses have a single “We’ll Be Dancin’”

on CBC and were National Finalists in the CBC Searchlight Competition in 2014.

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Instructors

Steve Lehmann (Producer & Music Director) A versatile musician who performs, directs, produces, composes and arranges music for a variety of projects in a range of styles, Steve Lehmann founded Renaissance School of the Arts in 1993, while completing his degree in Music Composition at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Over 20 years of professional experience has put him in front of President Bill Clinton and on stage with Haydain Neale from Jacksoul, the KW Symphony, and Juno-nominated bagpiper Rob Crabtree. Notably, Steve has worked with Olympic gold medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, CollegeHumor.com and Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal.

His portfolio includes work as varied as Emmy and Addy winning commercials, video games and feature films, and he currently produces music for the Cyanide & Happiness animated short films – online his music has exceeded 250 million views.

Steve has been teaching music passionately for over 25 years and as a proponent of children’s musical education, he helps elementary schools produce musicals and he works with youth in local theatre companies. He has worked on over 30 musicals in varying capacities from performing as a member of the pit band to acting as music director.

Amanda Kind (Artistic Director) Originally from White Rock, BC, Amanda is a versatile singer having performed in various musicals, operas, and choral works as well as in jazz and pop rock concerts. A sought after voice coach, Amanda shares her passion for music with aspiring solo artists and bands in her private voice studio. In addition to other post-secondary education, Amanda graduated from the Canadian College of Performing Arts and the University of Waterloo in Vocal Performance.

Amanda has been a featured artist and back up vocalist on various recordings and released a pop rock album “Hello Heartache” in 2011. Select theatre credits: Anne of Green Gables, Into The Woods, Annie, Little Shop of Horrors, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Master Class and more. Select classical credits: Fauré Requiem (Soprano soloist), Bach Magnificat (Soprano soloist), Handel’s Messiah (Soprano soloist), La Traviata, The Marriage of Figaro, Menotti’s The Telephone and more. Recipient of Rogers Television Woman of the Year Award for Arts & Culture (2008), KW Arts Award (2008), Alan Lund Award (2007). Amanda was recently named one of Waterloo Region’s Top 40 Under 40.www.amandakind.com

Eric Da Costa (Vocal Supervisor – Sr. & Jr.) Eric Da Costa is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, in which he studied voice, acting, dance and musical theatre in New York City and Los Angeles. He began music and acting at a young age and has pursued both since then, while also taking part in numerous productions over the years. Some of his roles include: Smee in Peter Pan (Drayton Entertainment), Mr. Philips in Anne of Green Gables, Rapunzel’s Prince in Into The Woods, Ren in Footloose, Austin in I Love You Because (all with KWMP), Anthony in Sweeney Todd (JM Drama), and Marius in Les Misérables (WCDSB).

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Instructors (continued)

Sarrah Scott (Choreographer – Sr.) Sarrah has over 25 years of experience as a student, teacher and choreographer – so it’s easy to say dancing is a significant a part of her life. She’s also very well acquainted with being on stage as she performs regularly with local theatre groups. Recent choreo credits include 13 (KWMP), and Blood Brothers (RCMPI). Recent theatre credits include Georgie in The Full Monty, Ethel in Footloose, Diana in I Love You Because (KWMP), Anita in West Side Story (RCMPI).

Sarah Willett (Choreographer – Sr.)Sarah began singing and dancing at a young age, knowing early on that performing was one of her passions. Sarah graduated from the Integrated Arts Program at Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, majoring in dance, drama, and vocal. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Music (Education – voice major) from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Bachelor of Education from York University. After spending several years living and teaching abroad in Honduras, Sarah returned home and jumped right back into the local arts. Sarah is a dance instructor; teaching several different styles of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Creative Moment, Musical Theatre, Latin, African, and Bollywood. Sarah currently teaches classes at The Athletic Club, Forest Heights Community Centre, and Davenport Dance Project.

Amy Sproule (Choreographer – Jr. ) Amy recently graduated from Conestoga College in the OTA/PTA program. Amy has been dancing since she could walk; she has been professionally trained in all different styles of dance from ballet to contact improv. Amy passed her RAD Advance 2 ballet exam, with “Merit”.

Will Currie (Music Supervisor – Jr.) Will Currie studied music at Wilfrid Laurier University as a percussion major under Dave Campion (Stratford Festival Orchestra), and has been working in music since his graduation in 2009. His band Will Currie & The Country French (Sony/BMG, FU:M), have toured Canada with many artists including David Wilcox, Our Lady Peace, Tokyo Police Club and many more. Will also earned a CBC Radio award for composing and recording the best collaboration of 2009 with Canadian rockers ‘Sloan’. As a percussionist, Will has performed and toured with a variety of Salvation Army brass bands, wind ensembles, and opera orchestras where his credits include Puccini’s ‘Suor Angelica’ and Ravel’s ‘L’enfant et les sortilèges’. Will currently works as a percussion instructor at Arcadia Academy of Music in Richmond Hill, ON and occasionally works as a guest host on CBC Radio3 in Toronto.

AffiliatesHilary Camilleri, One for the Wall PhotographyPerformer headshots and show photos are supplied by Hilary Camilleri.

Press ContactsAmanda Kind, Artistic Director 519.574.9950 | info@amandakind.comSteve Lehmann, Producer & Music Director 519.505.4947 | stevelehmann@gmail.com KW

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