Vocal Arts Academy of Milwaukee

Vocal Arts Academy of Wisconsin

Emily Holt Crocker
Director

2012–2013 Classes

Two classes will be formed:

Apprentice Level (Grades 3-6)

Charyl Granatella, Instructor

Sign up for Apprentice Level (Grades 3-6)

Young Artists Level (Grades 7-12)

Emily Crocker, Instructor

Sign up for Young Artists Level (Grades 7-12)

Fees

The cost for two semesters (September through June) is $400, paid in one or two installments. An option for paying 8 monthly payments of $55 is also available. This will cover approximately 36 classes and two concerts. The music provided in the class will be yours to keep.

For more information

the Vocal Arts Academy
 

Artistic Staff

EMILY HOLT CROCKER, Director

Emily Holt Crocker taught public school music at all levels for 15 years in Texas. In 1989, she joined the music publishing industry and is currently Vice President of Choral Publications for Hal Leonard Corporation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She founded the Milwaukee Children's Choir in 1994 and was its artistic director until 2009. Under her leadership the choir grew from 35 members to over 400 and received acclaim for performances with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Chamber Orchesra, the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, the American Choral Directors Association, Present Music, an MENC national convention and at international festivals around the world. She is an internationally recognized expert in children's and youth choirs and maintains an active guest conducting schedule. In 2010, she founded the Vocal Arts Academy of Milwaukee, an organization dedicated to helping young musicians develop professional level skills in vocal performance, music theory, outstanding repertoire and artistic excellence.

The Civic Music Association of Milwaukee awarded her the Excellence in Youth Music award in 2002 and, in 2009, the Distinguished Citizen Award—Professional in the Arts. She has been named a Distinguished Alumna by the Texas Woman's University Department of Music and an Honored Alumnus by the College of Music of the University of North Texas.

ARIKA KOHLS, Assistant Director

Arika Kohls was a member of the Milwaukee Children's Choir, under the direction of Emily Crocker, from childhood until 2001 when she entered Pius XI High School. While at Pius, she was active in choral music and musical theatre, followed by study at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, where she graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre. While at Millikin, she enjoyed a semester abroad in London, studying theatre.

Since graduation, she has founded her own private piano and voice studio, and has worked for John Robert Powers Talent School, Take Lessons Studios, and is with the music ministries at Oak Creek Assembly of God where she is part of the worship team, choir, musicals and teaches choreography. Although her love for performing remains strong, she is eagerly pursuing her newly found interests of teaching and directing. She recently celebrated the 1-year anniversary of her marriage to Nathan Kohls. She is excited about the opportunity to work with Emily Crocker again, this time as her assistant.

SHARON STOSUR, Young Artists Accompanist

Sharon Stosur holds a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Central Michigan University, where she studied with Barbara Dixon, and a Master of Music degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Northwestern University, where she studied piano with Donald Isaak and pedagogy with Frances Larimer and Elvina Truman Pearce. A pianist, teacher, writer, and composer, she currently holds the position of Editor of Piano Publications at Hal Leonard Corporation. She enjoys performing with the Vocal Arts Academy and throughout the Milwaukee area.

CHARYL GRANATELLA, Director of Apprentice Level

Called "Mrs. G" by thousands of children, Charyl Granatella is known for her lifelong devotion to elementary music education, teacher training, and choral performance. Mrs. Granatella received her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee and her master's degree in music education from UW—Whitewater with specialties in Gifted and Talented and Kodaly certification. She is also a certified Orff music specialist. With 35 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Granatella has taught in both the Milwaukee and Waukesha public schools and has served as adjunct professor at Marquette University, Lakeland College and UW—La Crosse. In 1994 she joined Emily Crocker to form the Milwaukee Children's Choir, remaining with that organization until 2009. Currently, she directs the Apprentice Level (Grades 3 through 6) of the Vocal Arts Academy of Milwaukee.

Mrs. Granatella also works as a free-lance musician singing with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the MSO Artists in Community Education (ACE) program, writes and researches for John Jacobson's Music Express magazine, published by Hal Leonard, and maintains a private voice studio for children and adults.

ANGELA BINA, Accompanist of Apprentice Level

Angela Schumann Bina graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.A. in music education, where she sang under the direction of Sigrid Johnson, John Ferguson, and Anton Armstrong. She received her master's in educational technology from Marian University. Currently, Mrs. Bina is an Elementary Music Educator in the West Allis—West Milwaukee School District at Jefferson Elementary School. She also continues to sing with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and other small, local groups. A piano student since the age of five, Mrs. Bina accompanies for various events in the community and is thrilled to become a part of the Vocal Arts Academy. Mrs. Bina resides in Milwaukee with her husband and two children.