Our Songbook Community

Your Songbook Academy® experience lasts far beyond one summer. Since 2009, young singers have formed lasting friendships and connections with fellow students, faculty, and guest mentors.

Alumni become college roommates, collaborate on professional stages, and return to encourage the next generation. Whether music becomes your career or remains a lifelong passion, you have a place in this community.

“The alumni community provides a home away from home. Everywhere I go, I find Songbook alumni thriving in artistic environments and they are always eager to connect and support each other.”

– Izzy Casciani, 2022 & 2024

Meet an alum

Singer-songwriter Eleri Ward, a 2012 Songbook Academy alumna, has earned recognition for her indie-folk interpretations of Stephen Sondheim’s songs and her original music. Hear her reflect on her Songbook Academy experience and the path that followed.

Alumni in the Spotlight

Our alumni have appeared on The Voice and America’s Got Talent, released original music, and performed at regional theatres, on national tours, and on Broadway. Their careers have taken them to Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, international opera houses, and New York City’s Birdland. A few highlights:

• Maddie Baillio — NBC’s Hairspray Live!, Netflix’s Dumplin’, Amazon’s Cinderella
  
• Taylor Bickett — Released her debut album, Nothing I Can’t Undo, in July 2026
• Jack Ducat — Buddy in the 2026 national tour of Elf the Musical
  
• Sydney Greene — National tour of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
  
• Ava Nicole Frances — Appeared on American Idol Season 22; won the 2026 MAC Award for songwriting
• Anaïs Reno — Silver medalist at the 2026 American Traditions Vocal Competition and recipient of a 2026 Bistro Award
• Melinda Rodriguez — Jazz vocalist with The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Army Blues
• April Varner — Winner of the 2023 Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition; released her tribute album Ella in March 2026
• Nina White — Broadway credits include Kimberly Akimbo and The Queen of Versailles; also appeared in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Off-Broadway
  
  

Continuing Their Education

Songbook Academy alumni have pursued music and performing arts studies at colleges, universities, and conservatories across the country.

Support Beyond Academy Week

Our staff continues to support alumni through recommendation letters, connections with fellow artists, and access to the Songbook Library & Archives. Alumni have also returned for internships, performances, and opportunities to work alongside Michael Feinstein and other mentors.

As your interests and goals evolve, we’re here to stay connected and help you explore what comes next.

All the friends, mentors, and colleagues I’ve met and continue to reunite with have blossomed into long lasting relationships that I will cherish forever.”

— Edin Kebede, 2021–2023

Alumni: Keep in Touch!

We love hearing where life takes you after Songbook Academy. Share your performances, projects, college plans, professional milestones, or other news, and update your contact information so we can keep you connected to alumni opportunities.

Hear from Our Community

Experience the artistry, storytelling, and collaboration of Songbook Academy students through solo performances and ensemble medleys from across the years.