Does your Grade 3 or 4 child love to sing, dance, and act? KIDAZZLE is Calgary’s top choice for young performers, perfect for kids who are passionate about the performing arts and eager to put on a show! It’s a nurturing and exciting program to introduce your child to the basics of performing in a group. Watch as they grow and learn to share their bright energy in their own team performances and as special guests on the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium stage!
NEW THIS YEAR:
Singers in Grade 4 who are new to the Youth Singers program should register for KIDAZZLE. KIDAZZLE is a program for singers in Grades 3 and 4. Grade 4 kids are also eligible to register for KIDZXPRESS, a Grade 4 to 6 division, after a Placement Interview. Please see the KIDAZZLE and KIDZXPRESS Comparison Chart for more information. All new singers will be prompted to book a Placement Interview upon registration.
Returning singers who are going into Grade 4 may register in either KIDAZZLE or KIDZXPRESS. Please consider the staff recommendation you will have received by May 15, 2024, and review the Comparison Chart carefully when choosing the best division for your child.
Every rehearsal is directed and supported by Calgary’s premier show choir professionals. A team of choral directors, choreographers, and theatre arts professionals teach and guide your child in a fun and energetic program. KIDAZZLE kids make friends, play games, learn dance and choreography, and sing songs that kids love to sing, all through weekly rehearsals and workshop weekends in our ATCO Performing Arts Centre!
Families can apply to our YYC (Yes You Can!) Bursary Fund for tuition assistance. Please contact the office for more information.
Visit our YouTube page to watch the KIDAZZLE Division in action!
Meet the KIDAZZLE Team
Director KIDAZZLE & KIDZXPRESS
Director KIDS & MUSIC
Co-Resident Choreographer KIDAZZLE & KIDZXPRESS; Guest Choreographer ALL
Co-Resident Choreographer KIDAZZLE & KIDZXPRESS
Assistant Choreographer KIDAZZLE, KIDZXPRESS, SHOWBIZ Kids
2024-25 Fees / Tuition
Programs run from September to June
Payment plans are applicable to tuition only and are agreed to upon registration. All payment plans will be completed by February 28, 2025. Certain fees are due on registration. A 20% down payment is due on registration and the balance will be split into a maximum of 10 monthly payments.
Payment plans are available. Click here for the KIDAZZLE Program Payment Information download.
What is the age range for each choir?
KIDAZZLE is grade 3
KIDZXPRESS is grades 4-6
JUNIOR HI is grades 7-9
SENIOR HI is grades 10-12
ACT3 is for young adults in post-secondary and early career (age 18-30-ish)
Are auditions required for the program?
No interviews or auditions are required for singers in KIDAZZLE.
New singers in grade 4 and up, and singers moving/changing divisions, are required to take a placement interview. This is not an audition-it is a chance for your singer to meet the director and for the director to hear your singers voice. This will help the directors know where to place your child within the group (eg. soprano vs alto).
Each singer has their own vocal range and experience, and to make sure the program is a good fit for you, we’d like to hear you sing! Please choose a song to perform during your interview. You can sing it without music (A Capella) or play a track from your phone. If you’re not sure what to sing, a lullaby, an anthem, or even “Happy Birthday” works perfectly!
What kind of performances does Youth Singers do?
Singers in KIDZXPRESS, JUNIOR HI, SENIOR HI, and ACT3 perform twice annually at the Jubilee Auditorium, one in December and one in May. They also have 4 to 6 extra performances during the year, mainly in December and the spring. You can find these dates in your registration info.
Singers in KIDAZZLE have their own holiday mini-musical in December, perform in the May show at the Jubilee Auditorium, and take part in several other spring performances.
What kind of music does Youth Singers sing?
Singers explore many kinds of music, like pop, rock, classical, jazz, musical theatre, and more. Each year, the group learns new arrangements of popular songs, music from Canadian composers, songs in other languages, pieces from well-known living composers, essential classical works, and music from different cultures and backgrounds. The selection of music changes each year and based on age, so the more you sing with us, the more diverse your music experience will be.
About half of the songs include choreography each year. The performance styles can range from traditional choral singing to fully choreographed shows that mix singing and dancing.
Do I need to have prior dance training to be in Youth Singers?
No, you don’t need any dance training to join Youth Singers. Dancing is a big part of what we do, but you can participate no matter your skill level. If you’re an experienced dancer, you can try out for special dance roles, and if you’re just starting out, our professional choreographers will help you learn and feel confident by the time of the performance.
What does the time commitment look like including rehearsals, shows, and workshops?
KIDAZZLE, KIDZXPRESS, JUNIOR HI, SENIOR HI, and ACT3 have weekly rehearsals from September to early June, with breaks for Christmas, spring break, and holidays.
The length of these rehearsals varies between 1.5 to 3.5 hours, based on the age group. JUNIOR HI meets on Mondays, SENIOR HI and ACT3 on Wednesdays, and KIDAZZLE and KIDZXPRESS on Thursdays.
In addition to weekly rehearsals, KIDZXPRESS, JUNIOR HI, SENIOR HI, and ACT3 hold weekend workshops six times a year (usually in September, October, November, February, April, and May). You won’t need to be there the entire weekend, as the time required can change for each workshop.
There is a September workshop for SENIOR HI and ACT3 that involves an overnight camp, while the other workshops require participants to be available during the day, depending on their age.
The groups perform two main shows each year at the Jubilee Auditorium in December and May and also have 4 to 6 seasonal performances. Most of these performance dates are decided before the season begins and can be found in our registration info.
What is the volunteer commitment?
All families are required to volunteer. The number of hours varies by division:
The fees we collect for registration don’t cover all the costs of our programs, and your volunteering helps us provide a fantastic experience for young performers in Youth Singers.
Our volunteer department will be there to support you throughout the year, helping you find the right volunteer opportunities that match your skills, interests, and schedule. There are many ways to get involved, such as doing administrative tasks while your child is in rehearsal, joining planning and event committees, working on design and production for our shows, or helping with photography and videography. We’re dedicated to helping you find a great role with Youth Singers!
Families can also buy out of the volunteer commitment:
Are there fundraising requirements?
We operate a bingo program and require all families to work a specific number of bingos, based on their singer’s division. The bingo program brings in money from the province and is a way for use to subsidize the cost of the Youth Singer’s program. Without the bingo revenue tuition would be higher.
Once a family has worked their required number of bingos, you can keep working bingos and earn credits that can be applied towards your tuition!
Families can also choose to buy out of working the bingos for $110 each.
There are other ways you can help Youth Singers, like buying Purdy’s Chocolates, donating items for our silent auction, or attending our annual fundraising gala. We let our members know about these chances to get involved throughout the year, and we hope everyone will join in, but it’s not mandatory when you sign up.
How much is tuition and what does it include?
The cost of tuition depends on the division. You can find specific tuition details on the program pages under the “Programs” tab.
Keep in mind that some things are not covered by your tuition, like show tickets, certain clothing items, tours, meals during workshops and show days, show DVDs/Blu-Rays, and other extra costs.
You can break your tuition payments into monthly installments. If you need financial help, there are bursaries available for singers.
Do I need to purchase costume or wardrobe pieces?
Yes, you will need to buy some clothes for your performances. There are three types of wardrobe items:
How can I stay up to date with announcements and events?
You can find schedules, updates, important links, music learning resources, and other details on TeamSnap. You’ll also get a weekly newsletter from Youth Singers, which is a great way to stay informed about what’s happening overall with the group.
What skills will I develop in Youth Singers?
Youth Singers programs are all about singing, dancing, and performing. We offer a unique experience where kids can sing together while also learning dance and theater. At Youth Singers of Calgary, students build their confidence, discipline, self-esteem, leadership skills, and ability to work as a team.
Our programs help kids learn about the performing arts while also improving their reading, concentration, memory, and focus.
In a supportive environment with friends and mentors, we watch young performers grow from shy or hesitant to lively, focused, and excited about performing.
Singers receive, at age-appropriate levels:
Coaching from a talented team of music and performing arts instructors and choreographers
The chance to perform locally several times a year
Opportunities to develop leadership through student-led projects
Paths for exploring careers in the performing arts, starting as students and moving up to coaches