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‘Til Dawn

Intensive Arts Mentorship (I AM): `Til Dawn A Cappella

Til Dawn, Youth in Arts A Cappella ensemble is an advanced vocal music program for motivated young artists. `Til Dawn celebrates the value of the arts, encourages positive messages about meaningful social issues, and inspires children of all ages. The group performs a mix of rock, pop, blues, jazz and soul standards and contemporary hits, in addition to original songs by group members.

`Til Dawn is a tuition-based program, but no student is ever turned away because of inability to pay. Scholarship application available here.

Support 'Til Dawn

 

2021 'Til Dawn Auditions

We’re Hosting Auditions for 2021-22!

Saturday, May 8 

11am – 2:30pm

The Youth in Arts Parking Lot*

*The Youth in Arts parking lot is accessed from 3rd street, just passed C Street on the north side of the street.

Calling all Marin County High School Vocal Musicians!! 

‘Til Dawn, Youth in Arts A Cappella ensemble announces auditions for youth between (incoming) grades 9-12 from Marin County. ‘Til Dawn is an advanced vocal music program for motivated young artists that celebrates the value of the arts, encourages positive messages about meaningful social issues, and inspires children of all ages. The group performs a mix of rock, pop, blues, jazz and soul standards and contemporary hits, in addition to original songs by group members.

'Til Dawn Audition Form

What to prepare: 1 minute excerpt of a song in English in the genre of pop, rock, folk, class R&B, or jazz. Be prepared to pitch match and learn harmonies. Headshot/resume not required. 

COVID-19 PROTOCOL: Youth in Arts will hold ‘Til Dawn auditions according to CDC and health department guidelines. Auditions will be held outside and all musicians will adhere to social distancing. All musicians will be required to wear a mask at all times. There is a restroom on the facility. Please bring your own water bottle, labeled with your name.

Audition FAQ’s

What should I bring to the audition?

You should be prepared to perform your music and have completed the Youth in Arts ‘Til Dawn Audition Form. We don’t need a resumé or a head shot.  We take a digital photo to remember you by.

When is the audition?

11:00 am, May 8, 2021

Where is the audition?

The Youth in Arts parking lot.  3rd Street in San Rafael, just passed C Street on the right hand side.

Is there parking?

Street parking is available, but there will be no parking available in the lot.

How long will it take?

It’s partially dependent on how many people audition. You should be prepared to be there from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm, knowing that you may be free sooner.

Can I do a private audition on another date?

No.

What is the process like?

  • Step One: Sing 1 minute of a song (preferably your song snippet a cappella.‘Til Dawn’s repertoire typically consists of 20+ songs, ranging from doo wop classics to Motown to Maroon 5.  The vast majority of our repertoire is in English, and is pop, rock, folk, classic R&B, or jazz-based.  1 minute of anything in one of these genres will be appropriate.
  • Step Two: Pitch matching.

    I play a series of pitches on the keyboard and you sing them back on whatever vowel you want.
  • Step Three: Sing a background part in a quintet/sextet with ‘Til Dawn.

    With the other people who are auditioning for ‘Til Dawn in your voice part, we will teach you a background part to one of our songs.  Then, one by one, each auditionee comes in and sings their part with a quintet/sextet of group members to hear how well you’ve learned the part, how well you blend, and to get a feel for the experience of working and learning together.


Additional Information

‘Til Dawn rehearses five hours a week, roughly forty-eight weeks a year.  In addition to the rehearsals, ‘Til Dawn averages about 25 performances a year; these typically include a mix of community events, fairs, festivals, elementary and middle schools, private parties, mental health centers and periodic radio and television appearances. 

The group typically goes on three weekend-long retreats a year to strengthen the interpersonal relationships in the group.  We are looking for people who want to learn about music, about performing, about listening and about being a part of an ensemble.

Mentor Artist Austin Willacy

Members of `Til Dawn receive hundreds hours of instruction and mentorship each year from Director Austin Willacy. Austin provides not only vocal training and direction, but also leads `Til Dawn members in discussions and retreats that build the group’s cohesion as well as the critical thinking and interpersonal skills of each member.

Austin is a professional singer and songwriter who performs and records both solo and with Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. artists The House Jacks. `Til Dawn members often have opportunities to see Austin perform with the House Jacks or his own band. Most years `Til Dawn will open for the House Jacks in at least one professional performance.  Read more about Austin here.

Photo by Tim Porter

`Til Dawn 2019-20 Bios

Aidan Bergman, Sir Francis Drake  `21
Aidan sang before he could talk and has never stopped. Over the years he has played piano and sung in community talent shows, school and camp musicals and graduation ceremonies. He was a soloist in the ROCK gospel choir at Drake and also loves to play baseball. Aidan has played and sung music as long as he can remember and hopes to continue through high school and into his adult life.

Megan Bober, Redwood `21 
Megan has been singing for as long as she can remember. She loves to sing and play instruments including piano, guitar, and ukulele. She has been working with her voice coach, Amber Morris, for 4 years. She enjoys performing at open mics around Marin. Megan is in Performance Workshop in the music program at Redwood High School. Outside of music, she loves playing soccer and basketball. She is extremely excited to be a member of ‘Til Dawn!

Maycie Cooper, San Domenico `22
Maycie has been involved with music for over 8 years, and finds way to incorporate it into her life as much as possible. She sees it as a way to express herself and also to connect with others. Since living in California, she’s participated in every singing program her school has to offer, including annually acting in musicals since she started attending San Domenico. She loves the social side of singing and plans to keep music in her life forever.

Alisa Costello, San Marin `23
Even before Alisa could speak, she has been singing. As a young child she would take any chance that she got to sing. It became part of her lifestyle. She also picked up the guitar at the age of nine. In elementary school she would take part in every talent show but never realized that singing was one of her passions until middle school. She began to sing solos at open mic nights at restaurants and took part in almost every music related after school activity.

Will Ferris, Sir Francis Drake `22
Will Ferris has spent most of his life performing covering a wide range of musical styles. Will knew the stage was calling to him at an early age and his passion to sing continues to grow with each day. Prior to joining ‘Til Dawn, Will performed with several Bay Area blues bands, the White Hill Boys Choir, the North Bay Youth Choir, Marin School of the Arts Musical Theater program, the Northern California Honor Choir, the West End Stage ensemble in London and most recently, the Drake High School Choir and is “Living the Dream”.

Jacquie Kizer,  Redwood `21
Jacquie grew up in Scarsdale, NY, where she has participated in musicals since she was 7. Her freshman year in high school, Jacquie was accepted as a choral member of the Edgemont High School Jazz Ensemble, which ultimately competed in and won at the Berklee College of Music High School Festival. Since moving to Marin in August of 2018, Jacquie played Rosie in Mama Mia with the Performing Arts Academy of Marin. Jacquie studies drama at Redwood High School.

Leah Nemerovski, San Marin `23
Leah has been a performer her whole life. She loves to sing, dance, act, and play instruments. In her free time, Leah enjoys playing trombone, ukulele, piano, and drums. She is always involved in multiple arts programs that keep her busy. Leah enjoys performing in musical theater and has passion for all things music.

Emma Orrick, Redwood  `23
Emma has had a passion for music her whole life. Through piano lessons, musical theatre, and singing, she uses music as an escape from any stress or negativity in the world. Emma enjoys meeting the people involved in the musical community, and spreading love wherever she can. She is so excited to be a member of ‘Til Dawn!

Paul Makuh, Sir Francis Drake `22
Paul has been singing under the direction of Susie Martone from fifth grade through eighth grade and would love to keep it going into High School. He has made new friends through singing and feels that it would be great to keep singing in his life.

Anna McShea, College of Marin `20
Anna McShea is honored to be a member of `Til Dawn. She has been singing most of her life, and has appeared onstage many times around Marin County. She performs in the San Geronimo Valley’s Family Music Hour, at the Fairfax Festival and local restaurants. She also appears at other venues as a soloist, lead, and a background singer.

Franco Munoz-McCue, Sir Francis Drake `21
Franco has been singing for 2 years along with 4 years of symphonic band and 2 year sof jazz band. Franco loves the community feel of music as a whole and loves to be in musical ensembles. He plans to continue with his musical career through high school and into college with singing and jazz. He plans to make every year better then the last with school and music.

Megan Shindelus, Novato `21
Megan has been involved with music for 5 years, transitioning from band to choir. She loves learning new things and involving herself in the social side of music. She enjoys listening to all types of music, but mostly likes singing jazz and rock. Most of her experience with singing has been solely dependent on teachers and peers, but she is excited to take a more solo approach.

Ian Sotnick, Tamiscal ’20
Ian has been singing for 10 years.  He loves singing in groups and harmonizing.  He sang in a quartet for a play and has been a soloist in White Hill’s chorus.  He’s excited to be a part of `Til Dawn’s bass section.

Zaria Willis, Marin School of the Arts `20
Zaria loves to sing and has been singing since she started in a choir at seven years old. She loves to write and sing and enjoys making new friends. She is excited to be part of something as amazing as`Til Dawn.

Isadora Zucker, Sir Francis Drake `21
Isadora Zucker, a student at Sir Francis Drake High School, is a multifaceted performer active in music, theater, and dance, all of which she’s been studying since early childhood. Outside of the arts, Izzy enjoys acting, swimming, her cat Hollywood, and spending summers traveling with her musical family, better known as the Zucker Family Band.