The Artaluma Riffs. Afterschool Show Choir

 For Grades 3-6 (age 8+)

Class times: Wednesdays 3:30-5pm AND some  Wednesday stay late to 5:30pm, and/or Fridays as needed 3:30-5pm . There will be additional rehearsals in January.

Session Dates: September 7th 2022 – January 29th 2023 (16 weeks)

Performances:  Saturday January 28th 7pm and Sunday 29th at 2pm

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 Fall and Spring performance. Final performances will feature a professional live band that will envelop and support the  students, making the show magical. 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.

Elizabeth McKoy (director) has been teaching and directing/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 together the community.

This first pilot year bringing the program to Petaluma, we will be starting working with the talented and energetic group of 3rd – 6th graders at local public schools in Petaluma such as Cherry Valley Charter School as well as accepting students from other schools.

We are currently accepting applications for a very limited number of student spots. Interested participants must fill out an application, and sign up for an individual interview/audition.  Auditions dates are Wednesday August 24th and 26th 2022 at Artaluma.

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.

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.

2022-2023 School Year -Program Overview:

FALL semester Sept 7th 2022 – Jan 29th 2023

Every Wednesday 3:30-5pm (and some Fridays as needed 3:30 – 5pm) 

ALL STUDENTS MUST ATTEND all dress and tech rehearsals,

SHOW DATES Saturday January 28th 7pm and Sunday 29th 2pm

TECH Mandatory DRESS REHEARSALS all weekend (call time)

-Wednesday January 25th & Friday January 27th

COST: $450 if paid in full(or $245  x 2 installments )

Scholarships  are available. No one turned away for lack of funds.

COVID POLICY: We are following current Sonoma County Office of Education and SoCoEmergengy public health guidelines

https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/health-orders/

https://www.scoe.org/pub/htdocs/coronavirus-health.html