3pm Friday, July 8, 2022- 1336 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Click on the titles to watch!
Freight Train
Composed by Ethan Monberg
Walk Together, Children (with I Got Shoes)
Traditional Spirituals
Arranged by Anne Shafferman
Train Bound for Glory
Composed by Jay Althouse
Scarborough Fair
English Folk Song
Tongo
Polynesian Folk Song
Arranged by Greg Gilpin
Music Director
Jessica Kolody
Campers
Devon Williams
Junchi WangClark
Katya Tymoczko
McKenzee Rivera
Jack Stasko
Saul Savage-Collins
Camp Director
Michael Ashby
Counselors
Devin Casas
Sarah Adams
Emilie Puopolo
Jackie Puopolo
Jason Adams
Faculty
Michael Ashby, Camp Director
Michael Ashby earned his Master of Operatic Performance from New Jersey City University and his Bachelor of Science in Music Performance from Indiana State University. In addition to our vocal conservatory, he maintains a voice studio at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Michael serves as the vocal technical teacher for the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale and Philadelphia Girls Choir.
For many years he has directed opera, musical theater and choir camp programs. His previous camps were directed at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and for Philadelphia International Music Festival in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Michael works with and owes his continued singing and teaching to his teacher, David L. Jones of New York.
Jessica Kolody, Music Director Week I
Jessica Kolody is passionate about engaging youth in musical excellence, so she is thrilled to return to this excellent summer program as choral music director. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Cedarville University in 2011, Jessica began teaching music at Highland Regional High School, where she continues to develop the vocal music program. Within her first six years at Highland, she grew the curricular choral program from about 10 to 100 students and developed an active co-curricular a cappella program that participates in the International Competition for High School A Cappella.
Additionally, Jessica teaches private flute and voice lessons in South Jersey and performs as a freelance musician. An active member of the South Jersey Choral Directors’ Association, Jessica was the 2020 guest conductor of the South Jersey Junior High Honors Chorus. With many years of experience working with choir, musical theatre, marching band, worship bands, and children’s summer camps, Jessica has developed a wide variety of teaching methods with different age groups, musical genres, and learning styles. She is committed to building strong diverse musical communities and instilling a life-long love of music. soli*DEO*gloria.
Counselors
Devin Casas, Head Counselor
Devin Casas attends CAPA high school and is in the junior chorale of the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale. He has studied with Mr.Ashby for 3 years. He also was in All City band, full orchestra, and choir for clarinet, bass clarinet, and voice.
Emilie Puopolo, Counselor
Emilie Puopolo is a future student of the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. She has studied with Mr. Ashby for 8 years and has done many of the camps. Outside of being in the Philadelphia Girls Choir for several years she has participated in community theater and opera.
Jackie Puopolo, Counselor
Jackie Puopolo has been studying with Mr. Ashby since she was 10 years old. She’s been in many of the camps, and was in the Philadelphia Girls Choir for nearly 8 years. she’s also been playing French horn since 5th grade, plays mellophone in marching band, and recently took up the jaw harp at the request of Mr. Ashby. She enjoys learning all types of musical instruments, but mainly voice.
Sarah J. Adams, Counselor
Sarah J. Adams is a senior in high school and will be attending Westminster Choir College at Rider University. This is her 6th year in the Philadelphia Girls Choir, 4th year in Opera Camp and her 3rd year counseling Choral Camp. Throughout her time at PGC, she has studied under Mr. Ashby and helped teach IPA, vocal techniques, and Music Theory to Summer Camp students. Outside of PGC, she is a percussionist and plays a variety of instruments in her schools’ orchestras ad instrumental ensembles.
Jason Adams
Jason Adams is a rising high school junior. In elementary school, Jason joined the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale. He is now an alumnus, studying under Mr. Jeff Smith and Mr. Michael Ashby for the past 5 years. Jason is an accomplished vocalist in Middle School and High School. He currently sings in the highest level auditioned vocal group – East Singers and in the show choir “Voce”. In addition, he is an accomplished percussionist performing in the Marching Band, pit orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra, the highest level instrumental ensemble. Although in his 1st year as a camp counselor at Choral Camp, Jason is beloved and at home at the Philadelphia Vocal Conservatory. He is affectionately known as “Tape”, a nickname he developed when in training here at the conservatory.
Arts and Crafts Instructors
Maximillian and Karen Missler
Maximilian is a future student of CCC in New Jersey where he will be studying Computer Graphics and Game Design. He has studied with Mr. Ashby for 7 years, was a member of the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale for 6 years and participated in all the camps throughout the years. He also like to compose music and play his violin. He was a counselor for Choral Camp last year as well has helping with the Arts and Crafts.
Karen has been a volunteer for the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale for the past 7 years. During that time, she has helped in many ways, including helping with the annual auction, in the music library, wardrobing for concerts and with the camps. Last year she took on the role of the Arts and Crafts Instructor with her son Max and had a wonderful time.
