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Celebrating Mentorship Month in Songbook Academy

January 17, 2025

Broadway and television actress Ginna Claire Mason embraces a Songbook Academy student after reaching a momentous breakthrough.

Broadway and television actress Ginna Claire Mason embraces student Sophia O'Toole (Medfield, MA) after reaching a momentous breakthrough during The Songbook Academy® 2024.



 

Founded in 2002, National Mentoring Month celebrates the essential role of mentors in young people's journey. This month, we want to highlight the passionate work of The Songbook Academy® faculty and guest mentors in shaping the next generation of storytellers.

 

 

 

The path of a young performer is rarely a solitary journey. While talent and dedication are crucial, the guidance and support of a mentor can significantly impact a singer's growth and success. Our Songbook Academy faculty and guest mentors provide invaluable insights, foster a love for America's foundational music, and nurture the personal story of each aspiring artist.

 

From practicing stage presence to mindfulness, students report leaving The Songbook Academy feeling supported by their mentors, who serve as professional role models in a position that many high school artists may not have before experienced.

 

Still thumbnail of an video that links to vocal coach La Tanya Hall speaking on the Role of a Vocal Coach.
Watch now: La Tanya Hall on the mentorship role of a vocal coach.

 

Diverse Mentorship Creates a Stronger Foundation

Songbook Academy mentors are recruited for their many experiences as emerging and seasoned performers. Invited from a rotating faculty of educators, more than a dozen professionals every year provide a broad array of perspectives to enrich each young performer's growth with a refreshed, creative approach.

 

 

Vocal coach Devin Ilaw leads a Songbook Academy student and Music Director Caelan Cordello accompanies on the piano in rehearsal.
Vocal coach Devin Ilaw and Music Director Caelan Cardello guide student Ava Lee (Avon, IN) towards finding her story in the song, "What Did I Have That I Don't Have."

 

 

Every summer's core faculty consists of five vocal coaches and five music directors who provide personalized coaching for each singer throughout the week in a student-faculty ratio of 4:1. Collaborating in pairs, each vocal coach and music director creates a safe space for students in teams of eight to learn, grow, take risks and tell their unique stories through song. 

 

In addition to the core faculty, our Songbook Academy Guest Mentors often bring their experiences straight from Broadway, the recording studio, or the symphony stage. These Tony, Emmy, and GRAMMY winners share the key skills and creative methods that helped them overcome adversity, become viral sensations, and reach living legend status through talkbacks and masterclasses.

 

Our founder and five-time GRAMMY nominee Michael Feinstein prioritizes each young singer's journey in self-discovery and honors the Great American Songbook Foundation's mission by coaching the student through the intricacies of their performance and teaches them about the significant history of the Great American Songbook.

 

Check out these Behind-the-Scenes interviews with the Songbook Academy Guest Mentors from 2024.

 

 

 

 

WHAT MAKES SONGBOOK ACADEMY MENTORS GREAT?

More Than Just Technique

 

A great mentor goes beyond teaching students how to sing. They:

  • Cultivate Passion: Throughout the week, mentors instill a deep appreciation for American popular music, encouraging exploration beyond technical proficiency. They help young artists discover their own musical voice and style.
  • Build Confidence: Navigating the challenges of learning an instrument can be daunting. Mentors offer unwavering support, building self-esteem and fostering a growth mindset.
  • Practice Mindfulness: Mentors deeply empathize with the struggle of each students' journey. Mentors practice mindfulness with students, from breathing techniques to recognizing the effects of stress, to help orient themselves and retain composure.
  • Build From Real-World Experience: Whether it's from  performing in front of thousands or navigating the music industry, mentors teach from their invaluable real-world experience.
  • Offer Personalized Guidance: Each student is unique. Songbook Academy mentors tailor their approach, recognizing individual strengths and weaknesses, and adapting their teaching style accordingly.
  • Foster a Love for Lifelong Learning: Mentors encourage a lifelong love for music, inspiring students to continue learning and growing throughout their musical journey.

 

Broadway star Mary Michael Patterson sits on the carpeted floor beside a dry erase board in the center of students, also sitting on the floor. The board lists "Embodiment Tools" for mindfulness.
Vocal coach Mary Michael Patterson leads a lesson on practicing mindful embodiment as a performer.

 

 

lifelong impact

The impact of a strong mentor can be profound, as they can:

  • Unlock Hidden Potential: By providing personalized guidance and encouragement, mentors can help young artists unlock their full potential, achieve their musical goals, and find their story.
  • Build Resilience: The path of a performer is not always smooth. Mentors help students develop resilience, learn from setbacks, and persevere through challenges.
  • Create a Supportive Community: Students are connected with a faculty of incredible role models, fostering a sense of community and belonging within the music world.

Our faculty and guest mentors play a role in a student's experience at Songbook Academy that lasts long past the week. Each young singer practice the skills and confidence they learned from their mentors as they enter college and build their own careers. By providing guidance, support, and inspiration, these mentors play a crucial role in shaping a generation of storytellers and ensuring the continued vitality of the arts.