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About KW Glee
KW Glee Electronic Press Kit | Term 10
KW 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.
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
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.
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.
KW Glee Electronic Press Kit | Term 10
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
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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 Videos
Celine Medley (Seniors), 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6LaMqJSe7g
Everything I Do (Male Quartet), 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WThbqoj5HsQ
Something New (Senior Girls), 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGS6wCjAnzo
Up! (Junior Group). 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpIO3J01TM4
When You Believe (All), 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WzIRiGRWmU
Let It Be (Seniors), 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQgLHZpcsFg
Notable Alumni
Many 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.
Instructors
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).
KW Glee Electronic Press Kit | Term 10
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.
Instructors (continued)
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.
Affiliates
Trevor Wagler, Conductor/Orchestrator
Trevor Wagler is the Conductor and Orchestrator for the Term 10 concert with KW Symphony.
519.505.2068 |[email protected]
Hilary Camilleri, One for the Wall Photography
Performer headshots and show photos are supplied by Hilary Camilleri.
519.404.2672 | [email protected]
Press Contacts
Amanda Kind, Artistic Director 519.574.9950 | [email protected]
Steve Lehmann, Producer & Music Director 519.505.4947 | [email protected]
KW Glee Electronic Press Kit | Term 10
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).