When: Saturday, June 21st 11AM - 12:30PM
Where: First United Methodist Church (618 8th St, Columbus, IN 47201)
What: Mastering Music Direction - A series Mill Race Theatre Company has offered for high school students and adults in the Columbus, Indiana area since 2023. This will be a combined class with adults and high school students.
Cost: $12 for students (register here), $20 for adults (register here). - You must register in advance to attend this class.
What to expect: Participants will be guided through the basics of music directing (vocal and pit), shown examples of how to cut audition excerpts, choose appropriate warm-ups, be given industry tips and tricks, and more
How to prepare: All items are optional, but it is recommended to bring a notebook for taking notes, a pencil, and a highlighter. Additionally, you can review our participation waiver in advance here. Paper copies will be present at the master class. A waiver must be signed by each participant or by a parent/guardian for minors.
Clinician leading the workshop: Jenny Gafron (She/Her) and Riley Carter (He/Him)
Clinicians’ Bios: Jenny Gafron is excited to be back volunteering for MRTC again. In addition to being a professional music director and teacher, Jenny also spent several years as an MRTC Board Member and participant, performing in Twelfth Night in 2022 (“Fabian”) and Seussical (“Wickersham #1”) in 2023. Jenny began Music Directing in 2016 when she began her teaching career as a choral and musical theatre educator in Indianapolis. While in Indiana, Jenny founded two award-winning show choirs and led two high school show choir programs (including Columbus’ own, North High School) to many top five and grand champion placements. Jenny has 20+ years of theatre experience and earned her Bachelor of Music, in Music Education (vocal emphasis), degree from Millikin University. She currently teaches middle school music and choir in the Chicago suburbs, directing and music directing their annual musical, as well.
Riley Carter is currently serving as one of the band directors at Geneva High School, and Fabyan/Harrison Elementary School in Geneva, IL. He is going into his 7th year of teaching and was formerly the director of bands at Dixon High School, and the music department head of Dixon Public Schools. Riley graduated in 2018 with an undergraduate degree in Music Education and another in saxophone performance from Illinois State University. He also completed his Master’s Degree in Music Education at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago in the summer of 2023. Riley fell in love with musical theater and pit orchestra while in high school. He has played in several pit orchestras including: Cabaret, Jekyll and Hyde, Chicago, and will play in the Drowsy Chaperone this summer. Riley’s first pit directing debut came this past school year where he music directed Seussical! The Musical at Geneva High School. Riley hopes to give some great first impressions on how new pit directors can get used to working in the industry.
For More Details & To Register for the Class, visit our Student Master Class page here or our Adult Master Class page here.