FALL 2023 The Riffs Show Choir Program

For youth grades 4-8 (age 8+) with a love of singing, dancing, & performing.

Duration: 12 weeks

Class time: 1 x week on Fridays 3:30-5:30pm (2 hours) at Artaluma, and a few additional weekend rehearsals will be added. 

Session Dates: September 8th – Dec. 16th

This is a skills-based “Triple Performing Arts” class.

We will work on increasing every student’s vocal and dance skills, and develop acting techniques for singers, regardless of “talent”.

– Learn 8 songs – with solos/small group opportunities.

– Learn vocal technique and harmonies, etc.

– Learn expanded dance technique including Jazz style, hip hop etc.

The final session will culminate with an “open class” – highlighting exercises, songs and dances for families and friends on December 17th 4:00pm.

Tuition: $280. Student scholarships are available. Nobody is turned away for lack of funds. Please ask.

MORE ABOUT THE RIFFS

The mission of The Artaluma Riffs is to provide an exciting musical program that enriches the lives of young students through show choir performance​​. ​  The Riffs promote an atmosphere of acceptance, and joy where every student is welcome regardless of talent, experience, race, or language. We are committed to empowering students through our unique ensemble based performance curriculum to shape the next generation of artists and humans.

Rehearsals for The Riffs are “ensemble based” – and consist of fun, and supportive group theater games, movement, including singing and dance exercises which provide the foundation for each weekly rehearsal session learning repertoire which will culminate in a final performance. Students that want to work on having solo singing moments, in addition to performing in the group numbers, are encouraged to be courageous and to sign up for solo opportunities.

Returning students are automatically accepted (no audition needed).

New students will need to meet with director Elizabeth McKoy for a brief assessment. Your child will need to prepare to sing a minute of any song of their choosing and bring a backing or ‘karaoke’ track from the internet. You can email us the link to your child’s chosen song (Spotify, YouTube, etc) ahead of time and we will provide it for them at the audition. Email an audition time & music to: info@artaluma.com.

The Riff’s program will ideally grow and populate many of the Petaluma Public Elementary and Middle Schools.  We are looking for donations and volunteers as we build this amazing program!

About The Riffs Staff

Elizabeth McKoy (Director) has been teaching, directing, and choreographing young people for over 25 years.  For the past 20 years she was the Founding Artistic Director of the Award Winning Berkeley Playhouse where she developed the Riff’s curriculum and helped Oakland and Berkeley students “find their voice” by singing and dancing in a show choir environment.  In 2017 the first Riffs program launched in an Oakland elementary school (EMERSON) and was an extraordinary success bringing the community together.

Maggie Pagan (Bilingual) Retired professional ESL educator. Volunteer.

Tara Dickinson – Studio Manager. Questions? email info@artaluma.com

Families’ schedule availability and commitment is critical to the success of Riff students.  Please look carefully at the calendar and make sure your child can attend the sessions and rehearsals.  Artaluma can offer financial assistance to all families that quality.

Refund Policy

Issuing a Refund is expensive for a non-profit (we try to keep costs to a minimum).

If you require a Refund, we first ask that you apply those credits towards another Artaluma class, activity, or event.

All Refunds will be charged a $10 credit card fee processing fee (we get charged when you register and when we have to issue a refund) plus $15 management fee; a total of $25.00.

No Refunds will be given after the start of the first date of the class.

Missed rehearsals will not be refunded for any reason. 

If a participant is asked to leave the choir for any reasons, the same refund policy applies.